A series of in-person events beginning this week will help inform Richland County residents about newly rewritten land development regulations before the new rules are finalized.
The rules make up the County’s revised Land Development Code (LDC), a draft of which is available for public review at weplantogether.org. The upcoming meetings are the latest effort to involve the community in the rewriting process.
“We are excited about the new possibilities this code will provide and about the type of development that will be possible compared to the current LDC,” said Brian Crooks, interim Planning Services manager.
The LDC is a set of regulations governing land use and development in unincorporated Richland County. The code covers standards for zoning districts and dwelling units allowed per acre, along with building location, permitted uses, signage, landscaping and other rules. In 2017, the County began updating the LDC as part of a process to develop regulations that implement a vision for where and how the County grows in the 21st century.
County staff will be on hand to answer questions at the upcoming informal meetings, and residents can attend on a day that is most convenient for them.
“While we provided virtual opportunities for engagement during the pandemic, staff also understands the need for having face-to-face interaction,” Crooks said. “These drop-in meetings will be opportunities for those who are interested to stop by, talk with staff, and see what the proposed LDC will look like.”
The next meetings will be:
• 6:15 – 8:15 pm July 29, Meadowlake Park (gymnasium)
• 6 – 8 pm August 3, Upper Richland Community Center (banquet hall)
• 6 – 8 pm August 4, Gadsden Park Community Center (banquet hall)
• 11:30 am-1 pm August 10, County Administration Building (fourth-floor conference room)
• 6 – 8 pm August 10, Hopkins Park (gymnasium)
• 11:30 am-1 pm August 12, County Administration Building (fourth-floor conference room)
• 6 – 8 pm August 12, Ballentine Community Center (banquet hall)
• 11:30 am-1 pm August 17, County Administration Building (fourth-floor conference room)
• 6 – 8 pm August 18, Decker Center (community room)
• 11:30 am-1 pm August 19, County Administration Building (fourth-floor conference room)
• 6 – 8 pm August 19, Blythewood Park (gymnasium)
• 6 – 8 pm August 31, Crane Creek Gymnasium
Find more details, including meeting location information, on richlandcountysc.gov. More meetings and other events could be scheduled as availability allows.
To view previous virtual public forums on the LDC rewrite, visit: youtube.com/RichlandOnline.
For more information on the LDC, visit the Community Planning & Development page on the County website or visit the Zoning office on the first floor of the County Administration Building, 2020 Hampton Street, Columbia.
