Re-zoning Process

Rezoning application

Property owners may propose changes to the zoning on their property by filling out an application and paying a $75 advertisement fee. This is essentially a proposed amendment to the Official Zoning Map, which requires adoption of an ordinance. The rezoning application must be reviewed by the North Charleston Planning Commission and then by City Council. If the proposed rezoning is not consistent with the Future land use map of the Comprehensive Development Plan, an amendment to the Comprehensive Development Plan must also be proposed.

The Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is an advisory body made up of eight appointed citizens of the City who meet to hear rezoning requests, subdivision variance requests and to review subdivision plats.

Planning Commission meetings are held at 6:00 pm in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at City Hall on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Rezoning applications must be turned in 4 weeks in advance of the meeting date in order to be placed on the agenda.

City Council meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.

City Council thereafter receives a report from Planning Commission and a public hearing is then conducted in the following month after the proposal has been presented to Planning Commission.

The matter would next be referred to the Public Safety Committee (a subcommittee of City Council) and then final reading is given on the 4th Thursday of the month.

For further information on the rezoning process, contact Gwen Moultrie-Williams, City Planner (T/T), at (843) 740-2572 or via email at gwilliams@northcharleston.org.

PLANNING COMMISSION MONTHLY AGENDA

The Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Regulations provide a framework for the development or improvement of land and are based on an ideal or average set of circumstances. Sometimes conditions on a particular parcel of land may be so unusual that the application of the normal zoning regulations may produce a burden on the property owner. The property owner has a right to request that the regulations be waived or varied by some degree if they qualify for a variance. Variances may not be granted that would have the effect of allowing a use not ordinarily permitted under the ordinance.

The ZBA meets to review variance requests on the 1st Monday of each month at 5:00 pm in the 2nd floor Meeting Room in North Charleston City Hall.

ZBA Applications must be submitted at least three weeks in advance of the meeting. Applications for variances are made to the Zoning Board of Appeals and require completion of an application form and payment of a $75.00 advertisement fee.

The ZBA Application form may be obtained here or a copy from the Department of Planning & Management by visiting the office, by mail or by fax (843) 308-4727.  For further information about Zoning Board of Appeals, email Octavia Jefferson.

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MONTHLY AGENDA

Zoning Appeals

Any person who is impacted by a decision of the Zoning Administrator or other Zoning Official may file an appeal with the ZBA if they believe that the decision was based upon a misreading or misinterpretation of the ordinance.

The appellant must identify the particular situation, the regulation involved, the decision of the official, and their argument for an alternate interpretation of the ordinance for the provision involved.

The ZBA meets on the first Monday of each month at 5:00 pm in the 2nd floor Meeting Room in North Charleston City Hall.

Appeals may be submitted three weeks prior to the ZBA meeting in letter form to the Department of Planning & Management by visiting the office, mailing, faxing to (843) 308-4727 or emailing at email Octavia Jefferson.