Residents of Port Royal and Shell Point neighborhoods have an opportunity to shape the future of their communities at public planning and design workshops scheduled this month with planners and architects.
Consultant Stefan Pelligrini of Opticos Design, Berkeley, Ca., whose firm authored the book, “Form Based Codes: A Guide for Planners, Urban Designers, Municipalities, and Developers,” will participate in the sessions.
Tony Criscitiello, Beaufort County Planning Director, said community input is essential for successful results. “Residents of Port Royal have traditionally demonstrated a commitment to their town and we hope they will continue to do so by participating in these informal sessions which will guide the future of their community. We need to know what they want to happen in the coming years.”
The county, city of Beaufort and town of Port Royal have been working together to create a multi-jurisdictional form based zoning code. A form-based code is a departure from traditional zoning practices because it promotes more compact forms of development, reduces sprawl, protects rural areas, increases sustainability and promote walkable communities. For more information visit www.bcgov.net and select the “Departments” tab on the home page, then “Public Services” and “Planning.”
The opening workshop is scheduled Monday, Oct. 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Shell Point Elementary School where the initial project will be introduced to residents. Two public open house sessions are scheduled Tuesday, Oct. 25 and Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the former site of the Coffee House, 914 Paris Avenue, Port Royal.
A closing presentation is planned Thursday, Oct. 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Port Royal Elementary School, Paris Avenue. Comments from residents will be welcomed at all four sessions.  Children are invited and refreshments will be served.
The consultant and the architectural and planning team will be working with design elements at a workshop studio which is also open to the public during the day. The studio is located at 914 Paris Avenue, Port Royal. and will be open Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call the County Planning Department at (843) 255-2148.