SCDOT Public Comment Notice

As the Florence Area Transportation Study (FLATS) is notified by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) of new projects that would either affect the citizens of Florence County or have a statewide impact, I will place this information on the Florence County Blogspot for you.


I have just received notification from SCDOT that a Press Release has been placed on their website for public comment.

PDRTA is ready for HARTsville

PDRTA wants to invest an estimated $600,000 for public transportation in Hartsville by supplying a bus service. This service would be similar to the service in Darlington called DART but would be named HART (Hartsville Area Transportation Service).

Janice M. Baroody, executive director of PDRTA, stated that they would work with the Hartsville Police Department and other necessary agencies to develop the most accommodating route for the area. Stops would possibly include the Medical Center, Coker College, the Memorial Library, grocery stores, shopping plazas, apartment complexes and different locations in the downtown area.

New vehicles will be handicapped equipped and provide security cameras in addition to GPS tracking. Wi-Fi is a possibility that would be an added bonus for college students.

The buses would resemble the Hartsville city flag in color and have a logo to represent the community.

PDRTA hopes to open a small downtown office.

The $596,000 budget would include $65,000 for two smaller buses, $175,000 for a trolley, $10,000 for signs and shelters, $10,000 for marketing, $80,000 for personnel and $200,000 for operational cost. The operational cost is subject to change due to the rising fuel costs which has almost doubled since last summer.

PDRTA officials want to hear from the citizens regarding the level of demand for public transportation in the city but do not have a meeting date at this time.

HARTsville ...PDRTA could be coming to you!

Where's the Blogs?

Is this what you've been thinking since our last blog on January 5th? I apologize to our Florence County Planning blog followers. It's been a busy time for the Planning Services Department.

We've been working on six Florence Area Transportation Study (FLATS) documents required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that are due by our fiscal year end (June 30th). Some of these documents require a public comment period and review by the FLATS Study Team for recommendation to the FLATS Policy Committee and ultimately their approval. A tentative date has been chosen in June for these documents to be presented to the Policy Committee. I'll give you a few details on each document; however, you can view the current versions of each on our Florence County FLATS web page.

• The Federal Obligation Report is an annually updated document. This document does not require a public comment period or review by the FLATS Study Team and Policy Committee, so the FY2010 update is complete and posted on the FLATS web page. The information for this report is provided to the FLATS staff by SCDOT. The narrative explains in detail why this report is required and what it entails. In short, it is an annual listing of projects, including investments in pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities for which federal funds have been obligated during the year.
• The Public Participation Process (PPP) is required to be updated every three years. The June, 2008 version is on the FLATS web page. The draft for the June, 2011 version is complete, but requires a 45-day public comment period and Study Team/Policy Committee review. It will be posted on the web page after this process has been completed.
• The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is required to be updated annually. This document outlines the activities that the FLATS will undertake in the next fiscal year using PL funds from FHWA with a local match by Florence County. The information for this report is also provided to the FLATS staff by SCDOT. The current FY2011 version is on the FLATS web page. The FY2012 version will require a 10-day public comment period and Study Team/Policy Committee review. It will be posted on the web page after this process has been completed.
• The Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) entire document is updated every six years. However, amendments are necessary periodically during this six year period. The six year update is not due but there are some amendments required. The TIP entails information regarding each of these type of transportation projects: Guideshares, SAFETEA-LU Earmarks, Federal Transit Administration, and enhancements. The September 27, 2010 amendment to this document is on the FLATS web page. The entire updated document in addition to each amendment requires a 10-day public comment period and Study Team/Policy Committee review. The amended report will be posted on the web page after this process has been completed.
• The FLATS Annual Report is updated annually. This report documents all FLATS activities as of the fiscal year end to be submitted to SCDOT. This document does not require a public comment period or review by the Study Team/Policy Committee. The FY2009 report is on the web page. The FY2010 version will be posted sometime in July.
• The Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is updated every six years. This very large, detailed document is a process of developing a transportation model that shows the demand on the transportation network in the FLATS area over a 20-year horizon period. It stipulates potential improvements for our transportation network to suffice future growth and alleviate traffic congestion. These improvements include, but are not limited to, roadway widening, access management, multi-modal transportation and possibly new road construction. This document requires a 30-day public comment period and Study Team/Policy Committee review. We plan to submit the final draft to the Policy Committee during their June meeting.

Ok, that's it for now. As you can see, lots of work to get back to. Just wanted to let you know why you haven't seen any new blogs lately. Til next time..........

Florence County Foreclosures 2006 - 2011

Brookings Institute has stated that the vacancy rate for owner-occupied housing is at 2.5 percent. This remains to be a percentage point above the pre-crisis norm.

A big concern is the future of home prices. Recent months have reflected a modest decline which is troubling because it could get worse before it gets better. The flooding of distressed properties could only worsen the pricing situation. New home selling prices are expected to be down about 3% in 2011.

According to Money Magazine, home prices will start to stabilize by late 2011 or early 2012. However, median prices will decrease by 5% before then.

A bigger challenge is the large number of households that are curently "underwater" with their mortages. It is estimated that a fifth of borrowers are in this group with half or more in states that have been hit the hardest.

From 2006 through 2010, there have been 1527 foreclosures in Florence County. Below are the yearly totals.

• 2006 - 249
• 2007 - 328
• 2008 - 298
• 2009 - 214
• 2010 - 438

Total foreclosures by municipality for 2006 - 2010:

• City of Florence - 470
• Coward - 7
• Johnsonville - 59
• Lake City - 98
• Olanta - 18
• Pamplico - 5
• Quinby - 18
• Scranton - 4
• Timmonsville - 42
• Unincorporated - 811

Florence County foreclosures remain steady in the new year. Eighteen have been reported thus far. The next sales date is 1/18/11.

Planning "2011"

Yep, It's almost here! What does 2011 have in store for Florence County? We'll soon find out. First let's take a look back at some information we've shared with you in 2010 that will continue in the upcoming New Year:

• 'The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ground-Level Ozone' - This would strengthen the "primary" (designed to protect public health) and "secondary" (designed to protect sensitive vegetation and ecosystems) ozone standards, which could place Florence County in a non-attainment status. Florence County is currently marginally in attainment.

The Florence Area Transportation Study (FLATS) is the metropolitan planning organization for this area. The federal requirements and regulations on transportation planning for a metropolitan area in non-attainment will be strict. Everyone's support will be needed. The new standards are scheduled to be released by July 31, 2011. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, if you'd like to learn more about this, take a look at EPA's website.

• 'Alternative transportation and a multi-modal roadway network' - This is so important for all Florence County residents. Whatever your choice or necessity is for getting around in our awesome county, it should be easy and readily available for you. So let us know your thoughts on areas in our county that need transportation related enhancements.

Let me share the most recent resident request and the positive outcome. Some county residents whose choice of transportation is via bicycle utilize Highway 51 (Pamplico Hwy.) to reach their place of employment. The request was for more sidewalks. Well, SCDOT had a resurfacing project scheduled for Pamplico Hwy. from Freedom Blvd. to Howe Springs Rd. to be contracted out by the end of December, 2010. So, we contacted them regarding this request. No new sidewalks were included in the contract, only repairs to the existing ones. However, SCDOT advised if the City of Florence and Florence County desired, during the resurfacing project, they could enhance this roadway to a shared-use facility. The road is not wide enough to mark a bike lane, but the outside lanes could be widened to 14' to accommodate bicyclists. (like Hoffmeyer Rd.) The city and county have formally made this request to SCDOT, so look for this improvement soon. The resurfacing completion date is tentatively September 30, 2011.

• 'Sustainability, Smart Growth, Livable Communities' - Yep, you've heard quite a bit about this and I told you it was just the beginning! There's a good possibility these initiatives could become federal regulations. The American Planning Association (APA) recently held a Federal Policy and Program Briefing and Planners' Day on Capital Hill. Take a look at the accomplishments of the last 20 months through the lens of APA's board-adopted legislative priorities:

1. Support federal initiative promoting community livability and sustainability through enhanced planning;
2. Adopt comprehensive climate change legislation that supports planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address local adaptation;
3. Transform federal transportation policy;
4. Invest in rebuilding America's infrastructure;
5. Help communities promote job creation, increase economic competitiveness, and build strong neighborhoods by taking innovative approaches to housing and community development policy;
6. Promote energy efficient communities;
7. Provide high-quality federal data for local decision making;
8. Protect local planning authority;
9. Advance the development of healthy, safe and active communities;
10. Encourage strategic and sustainable investment through location-efficiency standards and expanded regional planning;
11. Improve policies aimed at addressing the unique environmental, economic, and safety needs of coastal areas.

Wow, that's a mouthful! Each of these priorites are explained in APA's November edition of their planning magazine which can be accessed on APA's website. The goals in the recently updated elements of the Florence County Comprehensive Plan address many of APA's priorities in addition to other issues that are significant in order to achieve positive growth for our county.

So that's an off-the-top-of-my-head recap of 2010. Stay tuned for more to come in 2011! Happy New Year and thanks to all of our Florence County Planning blog followers.

Is Florence Ready for SmartCode?

A code for what? ...how smart is it?

SmartCode is actually a model form-based unified land development ordinance.

What? I got land development, but what is form-based? ...and what's an ordinance? ...and why is it a model? ...did you say 'unified'?

It is designed to create walkable neighborhoods from the most rural to the most urban. This type of development is economically sustainable and attractive. It puts more of an emphasis on "form" of development and less on "use".

Conventional codes contributed to strip malls, big box stores with enormous parking lots, fast food restaurants and signage/billboards that could be seen a mile away. Downtowns became deserted. Children did not feel safe walking or cycling and the elderly became dependent on others for daily needs. All of these combined created SPRAWL!

Smart Growth is an alternative to urban sprawl. New codes are necessary to allow for land conservation and to return to the more traditional patterns. This is best done by implementing the SmartCode.

Technical Descriptions for SmartCode:

Ordinance - An ordinance is an autoritative rule that allows the city/county to enforce the approved regulation.

Model Code - The model code is freeware and meant to be customized by planners, architects and attorneys.

Form Based - Form Based zoning has been developed to overcome the problems of sprawl created by use based codes. The emphasis will now be on controlling the urban form instead of controlling land uses. It envisions and encourages a particular physical outcome. While the physical appearance may not change, there can be many diverse uses.

Unified Land Development Regulation - SmartCode can include zoning, subdivision regulations, urban design, signage, landscaping, and basic architectural standards.

Walkable Neighborhoods - Towns and cities should be structured as a series of walkable neighborhoods. This requires a mix of land uses including residential, office and retail. Public spaces should reflect "outdoor" rooms. Pedestrian-oriented transportation design should also be addressed.

Rural-Urban Transect - SmartCode zones create habitats from very rural to very urban. The zoning categories offer a full diversity of building types, thoroughfare types, and civic spaces. Each has the applicable characteristics for its location.

Ridgeland in Jasper County was the first in SC and one of the first few cities in the country to adopt SmartCode as their governing code. Their SmartCode zoning ordinance can be viewed at the following website:
www.ridgelandsc.gov/...FinalRidgelandSmartCodeZoningOrdinance.20100318.pdf.

Is downtown Florence a candidate for SmartCode?

Shocking Bus News

Not only shocking, but cutting edge.

A 2006 DaimlerChrysler mock up of the diesel hybrid system.

Just for illustration: please don't kick the bus:)

The Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority (PDRTA to those in the know) have just landed a $3.2 million grant to purchase low-floor diesel-electric hybrid buses, and to improve PDRTA’s maintenance facility in support of their operation.

What does this mean, you ask?

Not only does it mean cleaner air for the area (we are close to EPA standards for ozone) but it also means better options for riders and PDRTA drivers. According to Janice Baroody, Executive Director of PDRTA, there are many riders that use wheelchairs. This low-floor bus kneels and deploys a ramp to greet wheelchair patrons. Ms. Baroody goes on the say that drivers won't need to deploy the ramp themselves, thus saving time on the routes.

What looks to be a GM hybrid diesel with a ramp.

What's left to do? PDRTA still needs to go through the public comment period for adding these funds to budgets, offer the project to bidding companies, then taking delivery. All in all, it will take another year or two before Florence is the only transit system with hybrid buses.

And one last note: two PDRTA riders, Casey and Ethan, make an appearance on http://wall.publictransportation.org/ telling their story of why they like transit.

Check it out. Report back. Let us know how we are doing.