GOOD NEWS: West Ashley commission endorses new master plan

Staff reports  |  The most comprehensive renewal and revitalization effort in Charleston’s history received unanimous approval last week when the West Ashley Revitalization Commission endorsed implementation of a master plan.

The draft 333-0age report by Dover Kohl, a planning consultant hired by Charleston City Council earlier this year, now will go to the city’s planning commission for its consideration.  City Council then will have a review.

“Plan West Ashley will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the area’s economic growth and the revitalization of its streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces,” Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said in a news release last week.  “Last night’s endorsement is a significant step forward as we continue working to enhance the quality of life for all of West Ashley’s residents.”

The plan calls for:

Upgraded community design and land use to allow the area to grow in the right ways and right places, and to preserve neighborhoods.;

Connected transportation to link West Ashley to the wider region and to connect neighborhoods in West Ashley;

Resilient infrastructure and sustainability to work toward building resilience, growing in lower-risk areas, reduce impervious area building and more;

Affordable housing with more options; and

Focused economic development to attract more jobs into the area.

• For more information on Plan West Ashley, visit https://www.planwestashley.com/.
• The redlined Plan West Ashley Draft Report can be viewed at http://www.charleston-sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16858.

In other Good News:

ECCO help.  East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) will help hundreds of local families in financial distress this holiday season thanks to the support from close to 100 generous supporters.   ECCO provides annual Christmas assistance to clients with children under the age of 18.  Known to the community as Adopt a Family, this program aims to ensure every child will have presents to unwrap on Christmas morning.  Now in its ninth year, ECCO’s Adopt A Family program will serve 327 children this holiday season.

Senate policy.  Our sister publication, Statehouse Report, reported Thursday that the state Senate is expected to have its first-ever sexual harassment policy by the time the session opens Jan. 10.  “It’s going to be a very strong harassment policy, and it’s going to be in effect before session starts,” S.C. Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, told correspondent Lindsay Street.  “We’ve been remiss in not having a policy.” The House of Representatives already has a sexual harassment policy.  Read more.

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