Charleston City Council has approved an ordinance to streamline the design review process for city capital projects in suburban commercial corridors. The change will help deliver critical public infrastructure more efficiently while maintaining Charleston’s commitment to high quality design.
The ordinance applies only to public projects reviewed by the Design Review Board in suburban commercial corridors and does not impact historic downtown Charleston, where projects must continue to go before the Board of Architectural Review.
The updated process ensures that city projects continue to meet all existing design standards while reducing unnecessary delays that can drive up costs for taxpayers.
City leaders emphasized that municipal projects are fundamentally different from private development. City capital projects undergo extensive public review before reaching the design phase, including City Council approval, budget adoption, and evaluation by experienced professional staff. That level of oversight is not comparable to a private developer entering the process for the first time.
“If we are talking about a luxury hotel downtown, the developer absorbs those costs. But when it comes to a fire station or other public facility, those added costs fall on taxpayers, often by hundreds of thousands of dollars, along with unnecessary delays. That is simply not something we can afford,” said Councilmember Ross Appel, who spoke in support of the ordinance.
Under the new approach, city projects must still comply with all established design standards related to architecture, site layout, and landscaping. The Design Review Board will continue to provide meaningful conceptual input and guidance, while professional staff will conduct subsequent reviews.
This change does not eliminate design oversight. Instead, it creates a more efficient review path that preserves Design Review Board input while recognizing the extensive review city projects already receive.
The ordinance is part of a broader effort by City Council to modernize internal processes for the benefit of Charleston residents, particularly as the city prepares for significant investments in infrastructure, public safety, and community facilities. Reducing delays will help control costs and ensure timely delivery of essential services.