Workshops for Rural Zoning Announced

The Dorchester County Planning Commission, the Planning and Zoning staff, and the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments invites citizens of Dorchester County to help prepare the Zoning Ordinance for rural Dorchester County during five workshops held in Ridgeville, Dorchester and Reevesville.

The workshops, hosted by the Planning Commission, are designed to give citizens the opportunity to participate in the planning process, according to a statement released by county Planner Alec Brebner. 

Workshops, each held 6-8 p.m., are as follows:

• Jan. 9 at Sand Hill UMC, Ridgeville
• Jan. 10 at Givhans Alternative School, Ridgeville
• Jan. 23 at Woodland High School, Dorchester
• Jan. 30 at Harleyville-Ridgeville Elementary, Dorchester
• Jan. 31 at Reevesville Baptist Church, Reevesville

In November 2008, Dorchester County Council adopted a new Comprehensive Plan, which provided a general "blueprint" for current and future land use.

According to Brebner's release, the Absence of Controls (AC) zoning district that now applies broadly across rural Dorchester County does not take into account similar property uses, available public utilities, or road access; nor does it put into practice the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, the County's vision for future growth. Those goals include enhancing protection of agricultural and forestry practices from potentially incompatible uses on adjacent lands, and preserving the character ofthe rural areas and communities.

The rezoning proposal means rural properties would no longer bezoned Absence of Controls, but one of the new designations, such as Base Rural, Crossroads or Rural Economic Development.

The statement requested citizens attend the workshops to understand what this means for property or neighborhood. There, citizens and property owners will have the opportunity to view a draft map and materials to learn about the proposed zone or designation for their properties.

For those who don't agree with how their property is to be rezoned, forms will be available to explain why another zoning designation is more appropriate. Planners will be available to answer any questions.

Following the public workshops, the proposed rezoning will be considered by the Planning Commission in February 2012 before it is forwarded to County Council for Public Hearings to be held in the spring.