Group has Ideas on Smart Growth

August 10, 2008, Georgetown Times, Georgetown

By Tim Callahan

Timcallahan01@aol.com

Smart growth is a hot topic in Georgetown County, and Coast Matters, a project of the Conservation Voters of South Carolina, has some ideas on how to be smart about growth.

"We don't want to stop development," said project director Staci Williams. "It's going to happen in this area. We just want to bring the environmental and economic pieces together for communities that make sense."

One way to do that is through mixed land uses, she said, like Market Commons, mixing commercial use with residential.

"People don't have to get in their cars and drive to stores," she said, "and there is still open green space."

She said building up, versus out, is another option. Revitalizing "brown areas," run down or abandoned buildings, is another way to grow smart.

The project's goal, she said, is to bring together all the stakeholders -- County Council, the planning commission, conservation groups and developers -- to work on one agenda, versus everyone working on their own.

The project is funded by the educational fund of the CVSC, whose mission is to "maximize participation of conservation-minded citizens in environmental policy decisions made at the state and local levels."

The education fund hosts a state-wide common agenda for 27 organizations representing over 30,000 members. Using training technology and other tools, CVSCEF "helps the conservation community realize their overall capacity to effectively activate their members, educate the public and communicate effectively."

Williams spoke at a recent Sierra Club meeting in Litchfield and about 30 people were present. She said County Councilman Glenn O'Connell was also there. Williams said she would like to meet with council and the planning commission to inform them about the project and collaborate with them on a common agenda.

She said Coast Matters is creating a Web site that will have information on the issues and organizations, as well as information for the media. The current Web site has some information and can be found at www.coastmatters.org. The state number for the CVSCEF is 1-803-799-0716, or e-mail info@coastmatters.org