Page 144 - Florence County, SC Florence County 2032: Connecting Our Past, Defining Our Future

Future County | Land Use and Growth

A Note on Land Use Planning and Zoning

The side-by-side comparison of districts for land use and districts for zoning above highlights the distinct
purposes and uses of a future land use map relative to a zoning map. The County's development
regulations are among the primary tools for implementing the plan. The Zoning Ordinance, in particular,
can play a significant role in establishing and protecting the physical character of the County. These
regulations delineate land use districts and the uses permitted within them, together with standards for
buildings and site improvements. As a result, the ordinance largely direct development outcomes.
Although the plan and future land use map provide only general planning guidance, they become the
basis for updates of the zoning ordinance and the official zoning map.

Key Takeaways to Achieve Land Use

Objectives

There are a couple of key takeaways necessary to achieve the desired land use objectives above:

Development Ordinances

In order to move into the future to accomplish these goals, land use ordinances, including zoning and subdivision
regulations, are critical. Florence County will be reviewing all ordinances that could parallel the Future Land Use
Categories found in this document. The County must continually review all aspects of the zoning ordinance, based
on this new plan, to identify potential regulatory and/or standards updates. Doing so, it must add new or amend
current provisions, as needed, that are directly linked to changing land use priorities. These will include sections
related to housing attainability, neighborhood conservation, business retention and attraction, leisure and
lifestyle related land uses, pedestrian support, and park and open space protection.

County Initiatives

In order to achieve desired objectives, Florence County must continue to coordinate with local County partners
to ensure cohesiveness and compatibility with their planning efforts. This land use plan cannot fully capture all
future changes. As such, Florence County must be ever present and mindful of the needs of the community
residents as the region grows and changes.

Florence County, SC | Comprehensive Plan pg. 143