Charleston’s most progressive zoning ordinance was approved for recommendation to City Council last night at 2 George. The Planning Commission unanimously passed THE UPPER PENINSULA (UP) DISTRICT, a new base zoning district, last night after the public and members of the Upper Peninsula Initiative’s task forces offered their support for the ordinance, inspired by work in Portland, Oregon.
The foundation of THE UPPER PENINSULA (UP) DISTRICT promotes incentivized sustainable development, meaning a developer may build a 4-story building (as in previous zoning) but to get additional height/density, they must collect points that have been identified by community-led task forces to create a more sustainable and connected community (see link below to read complete ordinance).
Things like MANDATORY GROUND LEVEL SPACE on main roads through the Upper Peninsula (like Upper Meeting and King Streets) can help ensure forthcoming growth to be more accessible. We’re so excited about incentives like PUBLIC GREEN SPACE, GREEN ROOFS, TRANSPORTATION INCENTIVES, BIKE PARKING, and WORKFORCE HOUSING.
We’d love to see affordable commercial spaces also incentivized, like at our headquarters at 1600 Meeting (which is becoming The Refinery). We work in the same buildings as Charleston Moves, Charleston Waterkeeper, Mirth Studio, Lowcountry Local First, Creative Clubhouse, among many others, and we often collaborate — helped by our close working proximity. Affordable commercial space helps businesses and organizations of all financial levels thrive, and should be encouraged.
Enough Pie also commits to work for more PUBLIC ART because we believe in the power for art to connect us to hopes and dreams. Stay tuned for the announcement of SOUND & LIGHT, our largest project to date.
READ COMPLETE ZONING ORDINANCE AND LEARN ABOUT THE CHARLESTON UPPER PENINSULA INITIATIVE.