🌪️ City's 5-Year Hazard Mitigation Plan Includes 30 RISKS!

City of Charleston · BAR-L
Facade Sign Denied Due to Scale and Design
A proposal for a large, illuminated facade sign on the upcoming nine-story Lowline Hotel was denied by the board, citing concerns about its scale, lighting, and relationship to the historic context. The sign, intended for a rear elevation and visible from public rights of way, exceeded recommended size limits and lacked clarity on lighting temperature and brightness. Staff and board members recommended reducing the sign’s size and adjusting illumination to better fit the building and neighborhood. The applicant was encouraged to revise and resubmit with alternative approaches.

City of Charleston · BAR-L
Conceptual Approval Granted for MUSC Skybridge at 25 Courtney Drive
A long-planned skybridge connecting four MUSC buildings received conceptual approval as a major campus resiliency project. The bridge, designed to elevate pedestrian and utility traffic above flood-prone areas, will span Doughty Street and connect key medical and research facilities. The board and staff supported the bridge’s height and massing, citing functional needs and contemporary design, while encouraging further refinement of connections and transitions between buildings. The Historic Charleston Foundation raised concerns about the bridge’s height, but the board unanimously approved the concept with conditions for future design review.

Charleston County · Greenbelt Advisory Board
Greenbelt Program Update: Conservation Achievements and Funding Challenges
Staff reported that the Greenbelt Program has approved 244 projects, protecting nearly 28,000 acres with $174.6 million awarded and a 139% match rate from partners. While 42% of funded acres offer public access, recent County Council feedback raised concerns about using public funds for private conservation easements, with a close 5-to-4 vote on projects lacking public access. Financially, the program has $18.3 million on hand, but some allocations are in the negative, and future funding is projected through 2043.

City of Charleston
City Launches Project 3500 Affordable Housing Dashboard
The City of Charleston is on its way to achieving its goal of 3500 new affordable housing units by 2032, and they just launched a brand new interactive dashboard where residents can learn about the project and its progress, see where the affordable housing will be located, view design concepts and mockups, see site selection criteria, and view the data and analysis guiding the project. To view the dashboard yourself, you can find it HERE.

Folly Beach · City Council
New Concession Franchises Proposed for 3rd Street West
City Council reviewed two detailed proposals for a new beachfront concession at 3rd Street West: a cafe by Estuary Beans and Barley/Folly Yard and an ice cream trailer by Shaka’s Ice Cream. The cafe, led by local operator Scott Harrison, would serve coffee, small bites, and sandwiches from a food truck before transitioning to a custom-built trailer, with hours from early morning to mid-afternoon and a focus on environmental stewardship. Shaka’s Ice Cream, presented by Cody Brooks, proposed a satellite trailer offering hard scoop ice cream and popsicles, operating seasonally from late morning to sunset, with eco-friendly practices and a conservative revenue estimate. After discussion of operational plans, infrastructure needs, and financial terms, the franchise was awarded to Folly Yard (Estuary Beans and Barley), aiming to enhance beach amenities for residents and visitors.

The Charleston City Council just adopted a resolution to formally adopt the 2025 City of Charleston Hazard Mitigation Plan…and it’s much more than just hurricanes and flooding. The plan outlines how the city will reduce long-term risk from natural and human-caused hazards over the next five years. The plan defines mitigation as sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property. It focuses on prevention and infrastructure improvements, while continuing to operate under the broader Charleston Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan to maintain FEMA eligibility.

The City identifies 30 hazards under an “all-hazards” framework, ranking threats by probability and impact. Hazards categorized as high risk include:

The plan also expands its focus on human-caused and technological hazards. These include cyber incidents, hazardous material releases, terrorism, active threats, civil disturbance, infrastructure failure, and disease or pandemic scenarios.

Section 9 of the plan outlines specific mitigation actions, combining infrastructure upgrades with policy changes. There are total of 97 actions spread out over these 6 categories:

High-priority projects include:

The plan also proposes “elevation-based” zoning (Action 15). Under this approach, density and development rights could be tied to elevation above sea level rather than land-use categories alone. The plan states that projected sea level rise, not just current flood maps, would inform future regulations.

Several actions focus on improving communication and access to information.

The plan incorporates the CDC Social Vulnerability Index to identify census tracts that may face greater recovery challenges. Urban heat island mapping is included, and the City states it will prioritize projects such as tree planting and cooling centers in higher-vulnerability areas.

Residents are also encouraged to take protective measures, including storm shutters, shatter-resistant glass, roof anchoring improvements, and maintaining flood insurance coverage — even outside designated high-risk zones. Future City-specific guides and a hurricane expo are referenced as part of ongoing outreach.

The City’s plan functions as an annex to the Charleston Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which covers unincorporated Charleston County and participating municipalities, including Mount Pleasant, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and Awendaw.

The County plan provides the regional framework and ensures FEMA grant eligibility. Charleston County manages regional data collection, including hazard frequency analysis and Special Flood Hazard Area inventories. The City adopts the regional goals while contributing municipal-specific assessments and project actions.

The two plans share a joint planning committee and a unified Program for Public Information to coordinate messaging and outreach.

While the County plan focuses primarily on natural hazards affecting the broader region, the City plan expands to 30 hazards and includes additional emphasis on urban and technological risks. The City also outlines its internal capacity to execute projects such as pump station retrofits and structural defense coordination.

Together, the documents establish a coordinated structure for reducing long-term hazard risk across Charleston County while addressing the City’s specific infrastructure and development conditions.

Check out both full documents here. Heads up, they are large files, and the city’s plan is within the full agenda of the City Council Meeting.

74 Murray Blvd - Commonly referred to as “The Piggly Wiggly House” due to the pig statues by the front stairs, and it was owned by Joseph "Buzzy" Newton III, the former CEO of Piggly Wiggly. The home sits on a corner lot and overlooks the Ashley River.

4 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 4784 sqft | $8,500,000

SEE ALL PHOTOS AND DETAILS

One of the lowest-priced, move-in-ready homes in Goose Creek

- 3 beds and 2 full baths
- Single-story living
- Fully fenced backyard
- Easy access to shopping, dining, and coffee!
-$315,000

Check out all the photos and details here

Buyer activity across the Charleston region remained solid during the week of February 6–12, with just under 300 homes going under contract, showing steady demand across a wide range of price points. On the lower end, homes under $250,000 remain scarce, with only a small handful going under contract, reinforcing how tight entry-level inventory still is. At the other extreme, the luxury market stayed active, with more than 30 homes over $1 million going under contract, including several above $3 million, particularly on the islands, in Mount Pleasant, and on the Peninsula. Most homes are still finding buyers in about three weeks, suggesting motivated buyers are moving quickly when pricing makes sense. Suburban markets like Summerville, Goose Creek, and West Ashley continue to carry much of the transaction volume, while downtown Charleston and island communities are seeing fewer but higher-priced deals. Distressed sales remain rare, new construction is a small but steady piece of the market, and condos and townhomes continue to provide an important middle ground for buyers navigating affordability. Overall, the market feels active but disciplined, with both buyers and sellers paying closer attention to value.

1) Buying a Home - If you’re planning a move in the next 12-18 months, it’s never too early to start chatting.

2) Market Conditions - I can send you a quick snapshot of what’s going on in your neighborhood or area.

3) Request an Update - Share a lot or address, and I’ll research what’s being planned or built there

Just respond to this email and let me know what you need. It’s that easy!

Also…don’t forget to vote at the links up above!!!
Until Next Week,

-Bill Olson

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