Жители исторического района Суммервилля массово выступают против изменений зонирования и расширения коммерческой застройки

SUMMERVILLE — In August, The Post and Courier conducted a survey asking residents of Flowertown and the surrounding area to share their thoughts about the Historic District, how they interact with the neighborhood in their everyday lives and what they think of policy proposals that would affect it. Of the 117 respondents, most seemed to oppose recent policy proposals and broader changes to the neighborhood’s historic character and small-town feel. Roughly half of respondents are retired, and 77 percent are over the age of 50. Among respondents, nearly 73 percent live within town limits, and 32 percent live within the Historic District. Roughly half of respondents who live in Summerville said they'd moved there since 2002. Of those who lived there longer, seven were born and raised there. The bulk of the survey covered three policy proposals affecting the Historic District: zoning for short-term rentals and bed-and-breakfasts, a proposed outdoor entertainment district and a proposed overlay zoning district. Town council has been considering whether certain district properties serving as short-term rentals or B&Bs should be rezoned to allow for more guest rooms. Nearly three in five respondents said they are at least somewhat familiar with the town’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) which governs how properties are zoned in town. A similar number were at least somewhat familiar with the UDO’s rules governing short-term rentals and B&Bs. Nearly half of respondents said they think the UDO’s rules governing those properties were "just right" as they currently stand. More than a third said they were "too loose." A broad majority of respondents, 76 percent, said they oppose rezoning Historic District properties to allow for more guest rooms. Generally speaking, respondents were supportive of short-term rental cottages and B&Bs but thought regulations for things like parking, owner-occupancy and the allowed number of units should be strictly enforced. The second policy issue discussed in the survey was the outdoor entertainment district, which council passed in an amended form near the end of the survey period in August. The original proposal would have allowed patrons to carry one beer or glass of wine in an approved disposable cup of no more than 16 ounces between 10 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week. Respondents largely opposed the initial iteration of the outdoor entertainment district. Many expressed concerns about the extensive hours, potential cleanliness and public safety issues and the potential impacts on the character of downtown. Supporters of the entertainment district said it would help bring more foot traffic into the heart of town. Among Historic District residents who responded, only 35 percent approved of the outdoor entertainment district as originally proposed. The version of the proposal that council eventually passed greatly restricted the hours for outdoor drinking, making them 11 a.m.-8 p.m. only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays as well as during approved special events. Lastly, the survey asked respondents about the previously-floated overlay zoning district for part of the Historic District within a quarter-mile of the town's parking garage. The proposal would negate the need for rezoning to turn a residential property into a professional office and loosen the owner-occupancy rules for short-term rentals and B&Bs. Respondents largely opposed such an overlay, with only 30 percent supporting it. Among Historic District residents, only 27 percent supported the proposal. Supporters said the proposal could allow for strategic business growth in the center of town, with some pointing to businesses that have preserved the historic character of the homes they transformed into offices or restaurants. Opponents also cited the historic character of the area, as well as concerns about traffic and the expansion of commercial properties into residential neighborhoods. The survey also asked respondents about their first experiences with the Historic District and what they hope the future holds for the area. Many residents described the neighborhood as quaint and quiet with a small-town charm. When asked about what the biggest change to the Historic District has been since their first experience, many respondents said traffic congestion — a sentiment shared among many around the Charleston area. Numerous residents said the growth and development coming to town has been a big change for the neighborhood, with some praising revitalizations to Hutchinson Square and downtown storefronts while others expressed concerns about overcrowding. Many respondents said they would like to see less traffic and more infrastructure improvements, including making the area more friendly to pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as an emphasis on protecting the neighborhood’s character amid the growth. Several residents said they wanted to see nothing change at all. As for what should stay the same, many respondents were in agreement: the quaint, small-town charm and character that makes the Historic District what it is. For the full results of the State of Downtown Summerville Survey, click here.