THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED AS NEW INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. PLEASE BOOKMARK IT AND CHECK BACK REGULARLY!

On May 30^th, 2018 City Council approved a six-month moratorium on the development of lots on either the beach or the marsh. The deadline was later extended until mid February, 2019.  In preparation for the end of the moratorium period,  City Council and the Planning Commission are beginning the adoption process for a number of ordinances in January. Ordinances for setbacks, buffers, septic tanks, marsh island development, dune protection, seawalls, construction elevations, and other regulations related to building in the affected areas will be up for City Council consideration and public hearings at the Planning Commission at meetings  in January, February, March, and April.

Please refer to the draft schedule below for an outline of what ordinances will be considered at each meeting. The draft ordinances are also linked below. Previous meeting agendas and supporting documents can be found at the bottom of the page.

Citizen input is vital to this process!  This page and the City Calendar will be updated to reflect the meeting schedules and agendas as they become available. Please plan to attend as often as you can to participate in this important planning effort. If you can’t make it to the meeting in person please call or email us your comments.

December Council Work Session (complete):

• Ordinance 01-19 : Amending the CN District to Allow Private Non Commercial Docks and Public Parks 
• Ordinance 02-19: New Marsh Island Zoning Classification
• Ordinance 03-19: Height Limit Adjustment
• Ordinance 04-19: Amending Zoning Purposes to Include Erosion Mitigation and Preservation of Buffers
•  Frontage Requirement for Lots, Shared Lot Line Lot Mergers (To Be Finalized)
• Ordinance 07-19: Dune Walkover Requirements
• Ordinance 08-19: Increase Freeboard to 2’
• Ordinance 09-19: Seawall Amendments

January 7^th  PC Meeting (700PM):

Last review of proposed DMA (40 setback, dune building requirements for new construction). Septic, seawall rules covered in other ordinances.

Planning Commission Agenda 1/7/19

Oceanfront Development Proposals  (continued from December 3rd)

Proposed 40′ DMA Map

January 8^th Council Work Session (6:00PM):

• Ordinance 05-19: Marsh Setbacks (15’ from critical line for new construction, 15’ buffer for new construction, exemption for existing houses to be rebuilt to 10’)
• Ordinance 06-19: Exterior Lighting Requirements for Structures Facing the River
• Ordinance 12-19: Amending As Built Survey Requirements
• Ordinance 13-19: Requiring Letters of Coordination for Marsh Island Development and Docks in CN District
• Resolution 05-19: Resolution to Contact Owner’s of Bowens Island Property Regarding Rezoning from Commercial to Residential

 January 8^th Council Meeting  (7:00PM):

Remand zoning ordinances to PC for public hearings (make pending):

• Ordinance 01-19 : Amending the CN District to Allow Private Non Commercial Docks and Public Parks 
• Ordinance 02-19: New Marsh Island Zoning Classification
• Ordinance 03-19: Height Limit Adjustment
• Ordinance 04-19: Amending Zoning Purposes to Include Erosion Mitigation and Preservation of Buffers
• Ordinance 05-19: Marsh Setbacks (15’ from critical line for new construction, 15’ buffer for new construction, exemption for existing houses to be rebuilt to 10’)
• Ordinance 06-19: Exterior Lighting Requirements for Structures Facing the River

1^st Reading for non zoning ordinances that have already had work sessions:

• Ordinance 07-19: Dune Walkover Requirements
• Ordinance 08-19: Increase Freeboard to 2’
• Ordinance 09-19: Seawall Amendments
• Ordinance 12-19: Amending As Built Survey Requirements
• Ordinance 13-19: Requiring Letters of Coordination for Marsh Island Development and Docks in CN District.

Moratorium resolutions:

• Resolution 05-19: Resolution to Contact Owners of Bowens Island Property Regarding Rezoning from Commercial to Residential

 January 16th Special Planning Commission Meeting (7:00PM):

Public Comments on non zoning ordinances:

• Ordinance 07-19: Dune Walkover Requirements
• Ordinance 08-19: Increase Freeboard to 2’
• Ordinance 09-19: Seawall Amendments
• Ordinance 10-19: Amend Property Elevation Requirements (To Be Finalized)
• Ordinance 12-19: Amending As Built Survey Requirements
• Ordinance 13-19: Requiring Letters of Coordination for Marsh Island Development and Docks in CN District.

February 4^th PC Meeting (7:00PM):

Public Hearings on non DMA/Marsh Setback zoning ordinances

• Ordinance 01-19 : Amending the CN District to Allow Private Non Commercial Docks and Public Parks 
• Ordinance 02-19: New Marsh Island Zoning Classification
• Ordinance 03-19: Height Limit Adjustment
• Ordinance 04-19: Amending Zoning Purposes to Include Erosion Mitigation and Preservation of Buffers
• Ordinance 06-19: Exterior Lighting Requirements for Structures Facing the River

February 11^th Council Work Session (Time TBD):

• Ordinance 10-19: Amend Property Elevation Requirements (To Be Finalized)
• Ordinance 11-19: Septic Ordinance Amendments (To Be Finalized)
• DMA Ordinances

 February ^11th Council Meeting (7:00PM)

Remand To Planning Commision (make pending):

• DMA Ordinances
•  Frontage Requirement for Lots, Shared Lot Line Lot Merger (To Be Finalized)

1^st Reading:

• Ordinance 10-19: Amend Property Elevation Requirements (To Be Finalized)
• Ordinance 11-19: Septic Ordinance Amendments (To Be Finalized)

2^nd Reading:

• Ordinance 07-19: Dune Walkover Requirements
• Ordinance 08-19: Increase Freeboard to 2’
• Ordinance 09-19: Seawall Amendments
• Ordinance 12-19: Amending As Built Survey Requirements
• Ordinance 13-19: Requiring Letters of Coordination for Marsh Island Development and Docks in CN District.

February 20th Special PC Meeting (7:00PM):

Public Hearings:

• Ordinance 05-19: Marsh Setbacks (15’ from critical line for new construction, 15’ buffer for new construction, exemption for existing houses to be rebuilt to 10’)
•  Frontage Requirement for Lots, Shared Lot Line Lot Mergers (To Be Finalized)

March 4^th PC meeting (Time TBD):

Public Hearing on DMA Ordinances

March 12^thCouncil Meeting (7:00PM):

 1^st Reading:

• DMA Ordinances
• Frontage Requirement for Lots, Shared Lot Line Lot Merger (To Be Finalized)
• Ordinance 01-19 : Amending the CN District to Allow Private Non Commercial Docks and Public Parks 
• Ordinance 02-19: New Marsh Island Zoning Classification
• Ordinance 03-19: Height Limit Adjustment
• Ordinance 04-19: Amending Zoning Purposes to Include Erosion Mitigation and Preservation of Buffers
• Ordinance 05-19: Marsh Setbacks (15’ from critical line for new construction, 15’ buffer for new construction, exemption for existing houses to be rebuilt to 10’)
• Ordinance 06-19: Exterior Lighting Requirements for Structures Facing the River

2^nd Reading:

• Ordinance 10-19: Amend Property Elevation Requirements (To Be Finalized)
• Ordinance 11-19: Septic Amendments (To Be Finalized)

 April 9^thCouncil Meeting (7:00PM):

2^nd Reading:

• DMA Ordinances
•  Frontage Requirement for Lots, Shared Lot Line Lot Mergers (To Be Finalized)
• Ordinance 01-19 : Amending the CN District to Allow Private Non Commercial Docks and Public Parks 
• Ordinance 02-19: New Marsh Island Zoning Classification
• Ordinance 03-19: Height Limit Adjustment
• Ordinance 04-19: Amending Zoning Purposes to Include Erosion Mitigation and Preservation of Buffers
• Ordinance 05-19: Marsh Setbacks (15’ from critical line for new construction, 15’ buffer for new construction, exemption for existing houses to be rebuilt to 10’)
• Ordinance 06-19: Exterior Lighting Requirements for Structures Facing the River

 

In addition to the draft schedule of upcoming meetings, please use the resources below for information on previous meetings as well as related links from the City of Folly Beach, the Ocean and Coastal Resource Management division of the South Carolina Department of Health, the Nature Conservancy, the Sea Grant Consortium, and other agencies and non profits. This information is provided as both education and a touchstone for conversations regarding current best practices.

Marshfront Management Plan (draft)

Attend the Nov 20 Civic Club Meeting, 7pm at the Community Center, to vote for the marsh!
Marshfront Management Plan draft

Dune Management Plan

2018 Dune Management Plan

Prior Meeting Schedules and Discussion Topics

June 4, 2018 7:00PM: Review of Moratorium, Background Information, Possible Areas of Study, and Timeline
Link to PC Agenda from 6/4/18  

July 2, 2018 7:00PM: Review of Current Beachfront Ordinances. Initial Proposals For Changes
Link to PC Agenda from 7/2/18

July 9, 2018 7:00PM: Review of Current Marsh Related Ordinances. Initial Proposals For Changes
Link to PC Agenda from 7/9/18

August 6, 2018 7:00PM: Initial Proposals for Beachfront Ordinance Changes
Link to PC Agenda for 8/6/18

August 15, 2018 6:00PM: Public Input Solicitation: Marshfront Management Plan (IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING ROOM)

August 20, 2018 7:00PM: Work Session on Beachfront Ordinance Changes
Agenda for August 20
Map of Proposed Dune Management Area

September 10, 2018 7:00PM: Initial Proposals for Marsh front Ordinance Changes
Link to PC Agenda September 10

September 24, 2018 7:00PM:
Agenda 9.24.18
Moratorium Session 5-Marshfront Development Initial Land Use Proposals

October 1, 2018 7:00PM: Info Session with DHEC Staff

October 29, 6:00PM: Presentation of Final Staff Proposals
Agenda 10.29.18
Moratorium Session 6-Final Proposal Session 1

November 5, 2018 7:00PM : Continued Review of Final Proposals
11.5.18 Agenda

November 20, 2018 7:00PM: Civil Club Meeting at the Community Center to discuss Marshfront Management Plan
Marshfront Management Plan draft

November 26th 6:00PM: Continued Review of Final Marsh Proposals

December 3, 2018 7:00PM: Dune Management Area Presentation

Proposed 40′ DMA Map

Oceanfront Development Proposals

January 7th 7:00PM: Continued Review of DMA. SCDHEC Representative guest appearance.

Oceanfront Development Proposals

Proposed 40′ DMA Map

January 8th 6:00PM: City Council Work Session for final proposals

January-March: Public Hearings and Adoptions

Reference Documents

2015 Comprehensive Plan

Folly Beach Five-Year Strategic Plan 2018

Beach Management Plan

Sea Level Rise Adaptation Report

2018 Dune Management Plan

Links and Resources

Natural Solutions for Reducing Flood Risk

Building Coastal Resilience

DHEC Beachfront Management

Living Shorelines

Coastal Hazards

Critical Line Buffer Ordinances Manual

Elevation Provides the Best Protection

Hazard Resilience in Coastal Communities

DHEC Guidelines for Septic Tank Care

DHEC Hazard Vulnerability Tool

Setbacks and Buffers:

EPA Model Aquatic Buffer Ordinance

DHEC Critical Line Buffer Guidance

Marsh Island Zoning

General Waterfront Standards

S3 Standards

RM Standards