Planning Commission

ABOUT PLANNING COMMISSIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

A local planning commission has a duty to engage in a continuous planning program for the physical, social and economic growth, development and redevelopment of the area within its authority. The minimum nine elements of the comprehensive plan and any other elements prepared for the particular jurisdiction must be designed to promote public health, safety, morals, convenience, prosperity or the general welfare as well as the efficiency and economy of its area of concern. Each element must be based on careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of existing conditions and probable future development and include recommendations for implementing the plans. S.C. Code § 6-29-340.

Specific Planning Activities
In carrying out its responsibilities, the local planning commission has authority to do all of the following things. The local governing body or the planning commission may add activities. S.C. Code § 6-29-340.

1. Comprehensive Plan. Prepare and periodically revise plans and programs for development and redevelopment of its area.
2. Implementation. Prepare and recommend measures for implementing the plan by the appropriate governing bodies, including the following measures.
   1. Zoning ordinances, including zoning district maps and necessary revisions.
   2. Regulations for the subdivision or development of land. The planning commission is responsible for overseeing the administration of land development regulations adopted by the local governing body. 
   3. An official map and appropriate revisions showing the exact location of existing or proposed public streets, highways, utility rights-of-way and public building sites, with regulations and procedures for administering the official map ordinance. 
   4. A landscaping ordinance providing required planting, tree preservation and other aesthetic considerations.
   5. A capital improvements program listing projects required to implement adopted plans. The planning commission must submit an annual list of priority projects to the appropriate governmental bodies for consideration when they prepare annual capital budgets.
   6. Policies and procedures to implement adopted comprehensive plan elements. These policies and procedures could cover such things as expanding corporate limits, extending public water and sewer systems, dedicating streets and drainage easements, and offering economic development incentive packages.