Florence County Foreclosures Decline to 2006 Levels

Over the past few months, the Florence County Planning Department has been tracking foreclosures back to 2006. With the help of the County Clerk of Courts and its Special Referree, we have compiled all the available information on those homes that have completed the foreclosure process.

Beginning around May 2007, it was not uncommon to see between 35 and 40 foreclosures a month. Those numbers have decreased starting in September 2008 when the highest values were between 25 and 30 a month.

For the month of June, the number of foreclosed property continued its downward trend with nine, roughly equal to the average of the first two months of 2006, which is the start of records we could find.

Annual municipalities' foreclosures in 2009 may meet or beat 2006 values if these trends continue.

So, what does this mean for Florence County? It may translate to decreased time a home for sale remains on the market. It may also signal a better market for builders seeing less competition with foreclosed properties.

As the Florence Economic Development Partnership continues to attract new an expanding businesses to Florence, we may be seeing some warming from this icy housing season.

The next question we must ask ourselves is how we want to grow to weather the next economic catastrophe. That answer may lie in considering the combined costs of housing and transportation (reflecting the new coordination between HUD and US DOT) while minimizing the tax burden. Instead of housing following new schools, how about schools locating near the housing... you'll see lower costs in maintaining our transportation network! Imagine a pedestrian and bicycle friendly neighborhood that includes that school, grocer, coffee shop, clothing store and other amenities.

Can it happen in Florence?

2nd Week

Hello again. This is my second week on the job and things are going pretty smoothly. I'm in charge of creating the Transportation Element for the County's Comprehensive Plan with a little added umph from the Criminal Justice perspective. It's basically showing transportation methods used in Florence County and I'm supposed to add how I would make it safer for drivers on the roads. The team has included me in every aspect of their work and I'm really excited to be here. I think I have a lot of good ideas that would be useful for this plan, but we'll see what everyone thinks about that. I was once told that if you say to much people, people don't remember what you said. With that being said I will rap this up so you can retain all of what you read.
Until Next Week, Dana Washington

Hello

My name is Dana Washington and I was born and raised in Timmonsville, South Carolina. I have two younger sisters, one is seventeen and the other is nine. I was once asked in an Art class what my definition of art was. Of course I said something about drawing and then I was instructed that I was incorrect. For you see art is not just drawing and sculpting, it’s everything you do and that you’re good at. It’s what you have a passion for, like basketball, baseball, or the planning of land usage. I had a thing for wanting others around me to feel protected and safe, sort of like a super hero, so I knew what passion was from that point on.

I now attend Denmark Technical College in Denmark, SC where I am majoring in Criminal Justice. During my tenure at Denmark Tech, I’ve learned not only about Criminal Justice but life in general. Your life is what you make it and everybody should enjoy it while they’re here. After graduation, I want to become a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or either a probation officer. As you can see, I’m all about protecting and serving.

I’m very excited about the opportunity to work within the FLATS family and can’t wait to shed light on any situation from the criminal justice point of view. During my time in this internship, I’m expecting to gain a great knowledge of what FLATS is and does and also hoping that I make an impact in some sort of shape, form, or fashion. I really appreciate the chance that is being given to me because I know if I do well enough that this is just the beginning of many more great things to occur in the life and times of Dana Washington. I look forward to working with all of you.

Dana Washington

What happens when EPA, DOT and HUD get together?

A partenership in stewardship, that's what.

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood explained the partnership this way:

“Creating livable communities will result in improved quality of life for all Americans and create a more efficient and more accessible transportation network that services the needs of individual communities. Fostering the concept of livability in transportation projects and programs will help America’s neighborhoods become safer, healthier and more vibrant.”

The following are great goals, many of which may find their way into the Florence County Comprehensive Plan (see the website). Together with the vision of Florence County and the help of the Florence Area Transportation Study, our local transportation planning program, the next few years will hopefully lead to a more sustainable development and redevelopment of Florence.

1. Provide more transportation choices.
Develop safe, reliable and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health.

2. Promote equitable, affordable housing.
Expand location- and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation.

3. Enhance economic competitiveness.
Improve economic competitiveness through reliable and timely access to employment centers, educational opportunities, services and other basic needs by workers as well as expanded business access to markets.

4. Support existing communities.
Target federal funding toward existing communities – through such strategies as transit-oriented, mixed-use development and land recycling – to increase community revitalization, improve the efficiency of public works investments, and safeguard rural landscapes.

5. Coordinate policies and leverage investment.
Align federal policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding and increase the accountability and effectiveness of all levels of government to plan for future growth, including making smart energy choices such as locally generated renewable energy.

6. Value communities and neighborhoods.
Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe and walkable neighborhoods – rural, urban or suburban.

More information on Interagency Partnership:

http://www.epa.gov/opei/ocmp/dced-partnership.html

Land Use and You

'Tis the season for land use planning. The County plan is making its way through the Planning Commission (June 23rd, 6:30 is the first public hearing). the City of Florence plan is growing legs and isramping up to start. 

What's your perspective?

Do you believe that a plan is a good idea? I was thinking last night about all the planning that goes into taking the family on a camping trip. Pack the cooler, the cooking utensils, schedule the campground, the tent, chairs, lighter (okay, it's not entirely primative), air mattress (that's just rediculous), water filter, kids, ready the vehicle, map the route... planning makes all the difference.

Even if you forget something, you are certainly better of than if you just sat into your car and drove into the nearest site.

Although land use planning is no picnic, it makes sense to plan for growth. Even if we miss a couple of things, we are going in the right direction.

Leave your perspective about the proposed County land use plan online: http://arc2000.florenceco.org/landuseinput

About a Coalition

I was recently invited to a meeting of a particular area in Florence County where stakeholders (landowners, businesses, etc.) met to discuss ways to preserve natural resources and their rural heritage.

The group is at a stage where there are tons of strong ideas floating about, but nothing on paper. As the group shapes its objectives, they are finding that they first need a geographic focus.

The recent meeting included a presentation by Noel Thorn, a real estate developer, turned farmer, turned negotiator - in essence, someone who knows the importance of protecting natural resources while providing affordable housing, education and jobs.

Mr. Thorn may have given the group a good direction to begin organizing the way they want their community to look. First thing's first: establish your boundary, establish your stakeholders, establish your goals that include the future economic viability of sustaining their commmunity.

I am very excited about working with this group. For a County planner, this affords an opportunity to work close and share potential regulatory tools to help residents realize their objectives while working with planners  across jurisdictional boundaries.

What about your community? Do you have everything you need and want in your neighborhood? If not, talk with your neighbor and invite me to a meeting so we can get your sustainable neighborhood started!

I survived Five-Points..in a neon vest.

After a grueling day being buffetted by warm breeze and pounded by clear skies... okay, nevermind - I had a great time at five-points yesterday.

Here is the low-down on the car counts: average number of cars per cycle in the morning was 150. The afternoon numbers jumped significantly to 211 vehicles per cycle. We saw at some times that cars had to wait a second cycle to pass the intersection... and the total bicyclists was 5 that we saw (we were there at "rush-hour" periods, 7-9 and 4-6).

One thing for certain, Five Points is not pedestrian friendly! No crosswalks, no signals, lacking ramps on some sides. Yikes!

I have forwarded the results onto our consultants to do some fancy computations, which I will share with you. What will be interesting to see is specific characterisitcs of the individual roads. Palmetto going away from downtown was VERY busy in the afternoon, but it still seemed to work to allow all the traffic through.

I saw a lot of friends too! ...and a lot of four-legged co-pilots!

...then something scarey - a cute little girl in the front seat without a seat belt on! Yikes!

Happy travels!

What I Learned at Six-Points

Today we are counting traffic at 6-points (5-points for those whom don't count the corner with the trees) and are learning a lot about how the intersection works (or doesn't).

So far, our morning session racked up an average 150 cars per signal cycle with the most cars counted at 7:45AM (220 on a cycle). Another bump in numbers was at 8:15/8:30 ...maybe due to nearby schools.

Other interesting observations from the team were, "This intersection works like a well-oiled machine" and "I am surprised how well it does work." The manager for the Payless shoe store told us yesterday that we need a dedicated left turn light on Palmetto. We will probably see more evidence to support that this afternoon.

These are interesting perspectives for us who are sitting at the location for two hours at a time and not needing to get anywhere. Personally, when I am driving through 6-points, I am happy when I sail right through - and less so when I am stuck there an entire cycle (or two).

I noted four bicyclists: The first one was crossing the intersection at 7:10AM, then three from 7:43 to 7:55. All four represented a variety of experiences. Only one with a reflective vest and helmet.

I also noticed, on average per minute, two to three handheld cell phones being used by drivers. Obviously some people don't let 6-points interfere with a good conversation. The police officer that stopped to say "hi" said I would have nailed him too!

This afternoon should prove to be interesting. We took a sneak peak at what we up against yesterday afternoon - scarey! 

See you at 4:00PM, Six Points.