CHARLESTON COUNTY GREENBELT PROJECT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

2008 Round 1 Funding Cycle

Q.        Who is eligible to apply for Greenbelt Funding?

A.         In accordance with the Charleston County Greenbelt Ordinance #1424 as amended, Eligible Greenbelt Fund Recipient means: Charleston County or a municipality in Charleston County; any agency, commission, or instrumentality of the County or municipality within Charleston County; a not-for-profit charitable corporation or trust authorized to do business in this State and organized and operated for natural resource conservation, land conservation, or historic preservation purposes, and having tax-exempt status as a public charity under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and having the power to acquire, hold, and maintain interests in land for these purposes; an agency or instrumentality of the United States Government; and any other entities as may be approved at  the discretion of County Council on a case-by-case basis.

Q.        What can the funds be used for?

A.         Greenbelt funds can be used for the acquisition of land and/or purchase of development rights.

            Greenbelt funds may also be used to support the following minor improvements that provide public access and use of conservation lands purchased with Greenbelt monies.

            Boardwalks                                         Unpaved roadways

            Foot bridges                                        Unpaved small parking areas

            Unpaved Trails

Applications for minor improvements only are not allowed.  Other improvements may be included in a particular project but cannot be funded with Greenbelt proceeds.

Q.        How do you determine what is a Rural Project versus an Urban Project?

A.         Projects funded with Rural Program monies must occur in the Rural Area of Charleston County defined by the County’s Comprehensive Plan as the municipalities and unincorporated areas that are located outside the Charleston County Urban Surburban Growth Boundary.  These areas include the West St. Andrews area in West Ashley, Wadmalaw Island, Edisto Island, the St. Pauls area, Hollywood, Meggett, Ravenel, Rockville, Awendaw, McClellanville and portions of Johns Island, West Ashley and East Cooper.

            Projects funded with Urban Program monies must occur in the Urban Area of Charleston County defined by the County’s Comprehensive Plan as the municipalities and unincorporated areas that are located within the Charleston County Urban Suburban Growth boundary.  The municipalities and unincorporated lands within this boundary include:

            City of Charleston                               Town of Mount Pleasant

            City of Folly Beach                              City of North Charleston

            City of Isle of Palms                            Town of Seabrook Island

            Town of James Island                         Town of Sullivan’s Island

            Town of Kiawah Island                        Town of Lincolnville

            Unincorporated (portions of John’s Island, West Ashley and East Cooper)

Q.         How much money is available?

A.         $66.5 million is available for Rural Program projects (70% of $95 million).

            $28.5 million is available for Urban Program projects (30% of $95 million).

            NOTE:  The amount of funds available will be decreased based on grants awarded each funding cycle.  Please contact the Greenbelt Project Office at 202-7204 for the current information.

Q.        How will the applications be reviewed and funds awarded?

A.         The Charleston County Greenbelt Bank Board will review the Rural Program applications and score them based on the Rural Criteria.

The Urban Grants Review Committee and the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission will review the Urban Program applications to ensure they address all items of the Urban Criteria.  Funds will be allocated based on the population of each municipality and unincorporated areas within the Urban Area as indicated in the table below.

NOTE:  The amount of funds available will be decreased based on grants awarded each funding cycle.  Please contact the Greenbelt Project Office at 202-7204 for the current information.
 

County Council has final approval on all Greenbelt projects.  Reimbursement in the specified grant amount will be provided to the applicant at the time of closing, when the property is acquired and the deed is recorded.

Q.        What are the application submission requirements?

A.         Applications for the Charleston County Greenbelt Program will be accepted January 1, through March 31, 2008.  Any applications received after the deadline of 5:00 pm March 31, 2008 will not be considered in this round of funding.  Postmarks will not be considered.

            Signed, completed applications and all required attachments must be submitted via mail or in person to the following address:

Charleston County Government

Attn: Greenbelt Project

4045 Bridge View Drive, Suite A314

North Charleston, SC  29405

One original and 10 copies of the application with all attachments must be provided.  The copies may be black and white.  However, if any maps or documents are illegible in black and white, color copies must be provided.

Q.        Will there be an application workshop and is attendance necessary for application submission?

A.         An application workshop will be held from 9:00 am – 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 in County Council’s Chambers at the Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Service Building (4045 Bridge View Drive, N. Charleston).  Attendance is not required for application submission, but all potential applicants are encouraged to attend.

Q.        What is a pre-application meeting and is it required for application submission?

A.         A pre-application meeting is a time for potential applicants to meet with staff to discuss their greenbelt project and receive technical assistance on completion of their applications.  Pre-application meetings are required and may be scheduled by contacting the Greenbelt Project Officer at 202-7204.

Q.         How do I get an application packet or view the Comprehensive Greenbelt Plan?

A.         Contact the Greenbelt Project Officer at 202-7204 or visit the Transportation “Half-Cent”

            Sales Tax website at www.smallchangeforbigchange.org.

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