Note: Published articles, links or extracts appearing here are believed by CNA to contain information of interest to CNA members. They do not necessarily represent views or opinions of the CNA Board or Membership.

May CNA Membership Meeting

by | May 24, 2017 |

The May 15 CNA membership meeting focused on livability and quality of life issues currently affecting our neighborhood and the ongoing efforts by CNA to promote enforcement of existing ordinances.  Erosion of livability and quality of residential life has increased with the growth of tourism and development in downtown Charleston.

Jerry Smith (co-chair of the Crime Prevention and Police Protection Committee) led a presentation regarding livability issues that have recently intensified, including:

  • excessively loud motorcycle noise, especially from groups cruising on weekend nights on routes generally including East Bay, King Street and White Point Gardens;
  • trespassing and property damage by youths collecting palmetto fronds from private property and illegal peddling of palmetto roses (as distinguished from the City-sponsored artisan rose program by licensed children in designated areas at the City Market, Waterfront Park, etc);
  • vehicle and home break-ins; and
  • animal waste and littering.

Larry Gillespie described the rapidly growing incidence of illegal short term rentals in our neighborhood and the consequences to neighboring residents of this commercial accommodation use in violation of residential zoning laws.  A short term rental (less than 30 days) of a house is illegal and sometimes become “party houses,” unlike licensed and regulated Bed & Breakfast or inn operations that do not adversely affect residents’ livability and quality of life.

Mr. Smith’s presentation was accompanied by numerous graphs and charts analyzing complaints received by the Police and Livability & Tourism departments over recent years as well as incident reports collected by enforcement officials.  Security camera footage and photos illustrated the nature of several ordinance violations.  For more detailed data and analysis, click here to view slides from the presentation:

Part 1: http://chasna.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/May-2017-Meeting-Livability-Slides-part-1.pdf
Part 2: http://chasna.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/May-2017-Meeting-Livability-Slides-Part-2.pdf
Part 3: http://chasna.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/May-2017-Meeting-Livability-Slides-Part-3.pdf

Messrs. Smith and Gillespie, along with other CNA Board and Committee members, have met with a number of police and livability officials to discuss feasible ways for the city to increase enforcement of ordinances.  The Charleston Police Department recently began patrols to address excessive motorcycle noise (revving of engines and speeding). Efforts to meet with and support increased city enforcement are ongoing.

CNA members are invited to contact CNA by emailing charlestowneneighborhood@gmail.com with comments, questions or suggestions for additional livability issues that should be addressed.

In the near future, CNA proposes to conduct a member survey and initiate informal discussion sessions on specific topics.  These sessions are intended to enable interested CNA members and CNA Committee representatives to explore the issues and develop feasible solutions.  Ideally, recommended solutions could be presented to city officials and/or the Tourism Commission, as appropriate.

KING TIDES

by | May 22, 2017 |

King Tides will return to Charleston in the coming days, so citizens are encouraged to be aware of local weather conditions and the possibility of flooding.

Rainfall is also forecasted this week, increasing the chances of flooded roadways in certain low-lying areas.
 
As little as 12 inches of rushing water can carry a small car away, so remember: “Turn Around Don’t Drown.”
 
High tides periods to be particularly aware of while traveling are:

  • Wednesday, May 24, at 7:40 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 25, at 8:34 p.m.
  • Friday, May 26, at 9:26 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 27, at 10:23 p.m., and
  • Sunday, May 28, at 11:19 p.m.

Amendments to BAR regulations affecting the Old and Historic District

by | May 18, 2017 |

Amendments to BAR regulations affecting the Old and Historic District will be considered at  special meeting of the Planning Commission at 5:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 25, 2017 in the Burke High School Auditorium, 244 President Street.  Amendments generally address the authority of the BAR to consider height, mass and scale of new construction and codify certain policy statements for the BAR’s use in evaluating applications.

While some revisions follow the recommendations of the Duany Plater-Zyberk (DPZ) consulting firm, CNA believes the amendments fail to provide adequate protection for our historic neighborhoods in several respects.
For instance, CNA favors improved notification of BAR applications that would affect adjoining neighbors.  Currently, notices are frequently impossible to read from sidewalks because they are obscured, illegible, cryptic or posted in a remote location; sometimes, notices are not posted at all and the Planning Dept. admits it lacks resources to monitor posted notices.  Even adequately posted notices at a house may not be seen by adjoining neighbors on the rear or side of the subject property.
The Planning Dept staff has stated that residents should monitor  agendas on the City’s website to learn of proposed additions or alterations that may affect them.  CNA does not believe this is an adequate or realistic solution.
Instead, CNA favors requiring an applicant to mail or otherwise provide actual notice to adjoining neighbors, whose identities and addresses are easily determined through property records if they are not known to the applicant.  Some, but not all, architects and owners already notify neighbors, but there is no requirement for such neighborly consideration.
CNA is also concerned that the amendments ignore DPZ’s recommendation that the BAR  should include an architect with appreciation or background in traditional architectural design.  Further, CNA believes the BAR should be required to have one or more members who actually reside in the historic district that the BAR was established to protect.
Comments from concerned neighbors unable to attend the May 25 meeting at Burke High School may be emailed to Christopher Morgan of the Planning Dept. at morganc@charleston-sc.gov with the request that he share those comments with the Planning Commission.

Short-Term Rental Input from Neighbors Sought Tonight, May 18

by | May 18, 2017 |

The subject of Short-Term Rentals (STRs) has been discussed at CNA membership meetings and a number of articles have appeared in the local newspapers.  The City formed a STR Task Force to examine this complex phenomenon spreading rapidly through U.S. cities, including Charleston.

Unlike Charlestowne’s traditional and highly regulated bed & breakfast operations that are compatible with residential neighborhoods and do not adversely affect neighbors, STRs are unregulated, illegal and can erode livability and quality of life in Charlestowne.
CNA’s Board opposes the legalization of STRs in Charlestowne.  Our neighbors in Ansonborough, French Quarter and Harleston Village are also opposed to STRs, and have seen even greater proliferation of these illicit operations than we have seen so far in Charlestowne.
CNA’s Subcommittee on STRs is concerned about allowing inappropriate commercial operations in residentially zoned areas.  For example, we have been alerted that last weekend an entire house was rented out as venue for a particularly large and rather raucous party that disturbed neighbors well past midnight.  Of concern to the entire peninsula, STR operations contribute to displacement of primary residents and the loss of relatively affordable housing, growing problems in various peninsula neighborhoods.
Tonight, the City’s STR Task Force is holding its final “listening session” to gather neighborhood input.  Previous sessions  have been “drop in” affairs, merely allowing attendees to post sticky dots on charts to indicate agreement with a range of statements about STRs.  Past sessions have not included informational presentations or discussion.  We do not know whether this same format will be employed tonight.
CNA members interested in the STR topic are urged to attend tonight’s “listening session”:
May 18 — 6 to 8 p.m., Barbara Pearlstine Social Hall at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, 90 Hasell St. (parking in the Wentworth Garage at Wentworth and St. Philip streets will be validated).

Proposed Height District Regulations

by | May 18, 2017 |

CNA has expressed concerns to the City about certain aspects of the proposed height district regulations in our neighborhood. Of particular concern to Charlestowne are the proposed 3 1/2 story height districts on Lenwood and Rutledge, which exceed the currently built conditions of those streets. Adjacent streets are limited to 2 1/2 stories, while the bulk of Charlestowne is slated for 3 stories. The City has not yet offered CNA a rationale for allowing extra height on those residential streets. CNA is also concerned that the proposed regulations would allow the BAR to grant an additional 1/2 story throughout our neighborhood if it finds “architectural merit.”  
Please visit www.charleston-sc.gov/heightchanges for the proposed height map and additional information.

Members unable to attend the public hearings may submit comments by email to heightchanges@charleston-sc.gov or by letter to City of Charleston Planning Dept, 2 George Street, Suite 3100, Charleston SC 29401.

Click to view article in the Post and Courier: http://www.postandcourier.com/news/what-are-all-those-purple-signs-posted-around-downtown-charleston/article_f9cb3a68-3b0a-11e7-8586-6bca3a0262b6.html