To enhance the quality of life and overall experience for all who live, work, and play on the island.
Letter from the Mayor
Dear Residents of Isle of Palms,
I am proud to present the final Community Enrichment Plan, a culmination of the hard work and dedication exhibited by our Community Enrichment Task Force. Over the course of one year, this group met regularly to assess our community's needs and develop thoughtful recommendations aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all residents and visitors on the Isle of Palms. Their work is rooted with substantial community input, including a community wide survey and two community listening sessions.
The insights and recommendations generated by the Task Force are anchored in the belief that our community thrives when we prioritize collaboration and proactive engagement. Their recommendations encompass a variety of initiatives from enhancing public safety, to balancing tourism with quality of life, and environmental stewardship, while also fostering initiatives that promote connection and engagement among residents.
These recommendations are for Council to act upon in alignment with the city’s strategic plan. I encourage every member of our community to take the time to review this report. Your feedback is invaluable as we move forward with the implementation of these recommendations. Together, we can ensure that the Isle of Palms becomes the most sustainable, family-friendly beach community in South Carolina.
Thank you to the members of the Task Force and to The McNair Group, who facilitated our process, for their unwavering commitment to our community. I am excited about the future and the positive changes that lie ahead.
Warm regards,
Phillip Pounds
Executive Summary
In late 2023, City Council appointed a Task Force to develop a Community Enrichment Plan as part of the island’s strategic planning and the IOPThrives! initiative. This Task Force was charged with providing recommendations to City Council to ensure Isle of Palms continues to thrive as one of the leading island communities of South Carolina and the Southeast. Key outcomes for this plan were to ensure the Island continues its strong reputation as:
- A safe, sustainable, and friendly beach community;
- A place that welcomes residents and visitors to enjoy unparalleled amenities and natural resources;
- An island that is a leader in environmental preservation and sustainability; and
- An island community committed to balancing the “live, work, play” values: residential neighborhoods, thriving businesses and active visitors.
Community Input: Substantial community input and data were collected to guide the city on how to proactively respond to the complex challenges of regional population and tourism growth while ensuring that Isle of Palms thrives. An island-wide survey with over 750 respondees set the priorities for planning. The city hosted two open-forum listening sessions to enhance the survey information, Additionally, interviews were held with a number of city staff members to further inform the process.
Island Priorities: Utilizing this primary and secondary data, the task force organized the work in four focus areas:
- Seasonal Impacts: Parking & Traffic
- Environmental Leadership
- Safety Assurance
- General Quality of Life (including all general aspects regarding social, recreational, short-term rentals, and safeguarding island-life values - family friendly live, work, play)
It was determined that enhanced communications, island education, strong partnerships with neighboring communities, along with use of advanced technology and innovative approaches would be central to meeting collective goals. The Task Force submits this work as a ‘living plan’ for consideration to be monitored by IOP Council and Staff at least semi-annually for progress reporting.
Details regarding the Priorities, Goals & Recommendations can be found by clicking on the picture of respective focus areas below.
Our Partners: The project is funded by Explore Charleston through Isle of Palms accommodations tax funds. Research was conducted by The McNair Group and College of Charleston Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities.
The Community Enrichment Task Force: Task Force members were selected by city Council, based on their engagement within the community and expertise in their respective areas of livability and tourism management. Click here for member names.
Thank you: This Task Force worked tirelessly, volunteering more than 2000 hours of time to help chart a plan forward. The members wish to thank all residents and businesses who provided input throughout the process. A special thanks goes to the IOP staff who attended all meetings, provided timely and helpful support, and made themselves available for any needs.
Learn More About Our Priorities and Goals
The Community Enrichment Plan consists of 4 focus areas, resulting in dozens of goals and almost 200 recommendations. If you wish to learn more, make a choice from the subjects below.
View summary of all Priorities and goals
Contact and more information
If you have any feedback that you would like to provide after reviewing the plan, please fill out this form, which will be compiled for the city's review. We appreciate your input.