Seasonal Parking & Traffic

Parking Priority #1: Ensure a sustainable plan for the future which addresses visitor demand and rising costs to the city of accelerating visitor growth.

Parking Priority #2:  Ensure accurate reporting data to state agencies.

Parking Priority #3: Provide efficient, safe parking that steers visitors toward the city’s Front Beach lots and other designated visitor parking spaces on the island.

Traffic Priority #1: Ensure optimal flow of traffic which meets demands of accelerating visitor growth

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Priority 1: Ensure a sustainable plan for the future which addresses visitor demand and rising costs to the city of accelerating visitor growth.

Goal 1-1:

Identify and develop near-term solutions and ongoing processes which protect residential neighborhoods and provide an enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike. Click here for Recommendations and Background information. 

Recommendations:

1. Update the outdated 2013 Stantec Beach Visitor Parking Study.

2. Engage Charleston County for help with the increasing expenses of tourism resulting from population growth, increased demand for beach access, and the finite land mass of the island.

3. Lobby the state Legislature to assist coastal municipalities with the increasingly burdensome impacts of tourism.

4. Develop a plan for the city to acquire residential roads from SCDOT.

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Parking Priority #2:  Ensure accurate reporting data to state agencies

Goal 2-1:

Formally recognize parking spaces and encroachments that are not currently included in the 2015 Parking Plan. Click here for background information. 

Recommendation:

Determine the number of spaces and, where appropriate, formally add the following free spaces to our Parking Plan when the LCBMP is again reviewed in 2027:

• Public right of way adjacent to the IOP Post Office
• Unregulated public right of way at IOP Recreation Center on Hartnett Boulevard between 28^th and 29^th Avenues
• Designate a certain number of parking spaces for IOP Recreation Center to ensure adequate spaces for visitors and residents using the Recreation Center. 

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Parking Priority #3: Provide efficient, safe parking that steers visitors toward the city’s Front Beach lots and other designated visitor parking spaces on the island.

Goal 3-1:

Optimize existing parking to accommodate both seasonal visitor access and community preferences and needs. Click here for background information.

Recommendations:

1. Hire a consultant to develop a plan which may include:

a. Adjusting parking footprint that optimizes both the number of spaces in the LCBMP and traffic flow.

b. Registered and possibly paid parking along state highways - if feasible and supported by the community - which satisfies state law and does not add to the traffic or congestion issues in the neighborhoods.

c. Free beach parking in a city lot in order to encourage parking at Front Beach.

Goal 3-2:

Expedite the parking process for visitors by establishing intentional, managed parking along Palm Boulevard to enable drivers to readily identify a parking space. Click here for background information. 

Recommendations:

1. Revisit the Palm Boulevard streetscape proposal.

2. Request SCDOT fulfill former Transportation Secretary Hall’s promise to replace the “temporary” concrete markers on the landward side of Palm Boulevard with aesthetically-pleasing, low-profile markers.

3. Clearly delineate the spaces on the Seaward side of Palm Boulevard, matching the “markers” on the Landward side.

4. Continue maintaining the 4' chalk parking line along Palm Boulevard each week, and ideally reapply after a significant rain event during high season.

5. Continue supporting the SCDOT-approved 2015 Parking Plan, especially the residential parking zones currently in place.

Goal 3-3:

Effectively communicate parking availability for residents and visitors during the high season. Click here for background information.

Recommendations:

1. Provide real-time data on parking availability via parking registrations/payment

2. Promote parking resources through Sunnie, Beach Reach app, the IOP Website for the Web Cams, and https://parkiop.org.

3. Continue to promote alternative means for driving to the beach: use of the Beach Shuttle from Mount Pleasant or bicycling, for example

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Traffic Priority #1:

Ensure optimal flow of traffic which meets demands of accelerating visitor growth. Click here for background information. [LEVEL 3 CLICK]

Goal 1-1:

Efficiently move traffic on SC-517, especially during high-demand periods such as weekends and holidays.

Recommendations:

1. Manage traffic on SC-517 during specific time periods within the course of the year with seasonal police personnel for traffic management.

2. Investigate the possibility of re-striping the Isle of Palms Connector to accommodate:

1. Two lanes of traffic exiting the island
2. Dedicated Bike lane on one side
3. A pedestrian lane that is compliant with SCDOT standards; any additions to the bridge structure should preserve the views that exist today. 

3. Ensure traffic lights at Palm and Rifle Range are timed correctly during high volume times/days. 

4. Continue to build relationships with surrounding municipalities and State leaders in order to effectively manage our parking and traffic challenges.

Goal 1-2:

Efficiently route traffic to available parking on Palm Boulevard in order to keep traffic flowing. 

Recommendation:

Clearly delineate all parking spaces on Palm Boulevard, using a low-profile application.

Goal 1-3:

Develop a long-range plan given the greater Charleston area’s growth and impact to the island. 

Recommendations:

1. Annual review of identified “opportunity areas.”

2. Continue working with a traffic engineer consultant to devise solutions to manage traffic efficiently and minimize congestion and support funding and implementation of priority recommendations.

Goal 1-4:

Communicate parking opportunities and traffic conditions in real time for residents and visitors, especially for high season, high demand days/weekends/holidays.

Recommendations:

1. Ensure we are promoting traffic resources through use of Sunnie, Beach Reach app, and IOP website for the WebCams.

2. Consider a “Text to Park” model as is used in Charleston lots

3. Utilize technology to monitor parking availability for paid parking on Palm Boulevard.

4. Communicate parking alternatives such as the Beach Shuttle when approaching full capacity; e.g., Park off-island and take the Beach Shuttle

5. Establish a parking webpage that offers interactive maps and clear information including, but not limited to, available parking lots and parking areas, number of spaces, prices (seasonal and regular, if applicable), and violations.

Examples: Wrightsville Beach website for navigation and content & North Myrtle Beach website for an interactive map