Dorchester County building moratorium
Dorchester County enacted a 6 month building moratorium aimed at curbing growth until the infrastructure can handle new developments in the County.
Nothing will change. Why?
The moratorium will only affect new developments (over 10 units) and no building permits will be issued for the next 6 months. For anyone who thinks that no new construction will be occurring in the county, it does not affect the estimated 4,000 + lots ready to build on that currently have approval. The moratorium will only affect unincorporated Dorchester County served by Dorchester II schools and not the Town of Summerville (which enacted a similar moratorium a few months ago but likely will extend it to match the county) or the part of North Charleston within the Dorchester County border.
Here is the situation. Dorchester County which includes the Town of Summerville is very popular due to several factors, affordable housing and the highly acclaimed Dorchester II school district. It is currently the fastest growing county in the State of South Carolina and the 48th fastest growing county in the United States. My understanding is that the Chamber of Commerce fields about 500 inquiries per month regarding information about moving to Summerville and Dorchester County. My website consistently generates inquiries about homes and additional information for people who are interested in moving to the Charleston area and in many instances because they have done their homework far in advance, they are inquiring specifically about homes for sale in Summerville and Dorchester County.
Politicians have been pressured in recent elections to do something to manage growth and this is the solution that they came up with and while it sounds good to the voters who demanded a solution or as a sound bite on the news, the reality won't change very much at all in the short term despite the moratorium.
Neighboring Berkeley County will face some of the same issues since thousands of homes have been approved in Goose Creek and Jedburg. More schools and more roads will be needed there as well.
But people want to move to the Charleston area, after all, it is an incredibly beautiful place to live. In addition to the luxury real estate market, very nice homes are still quite affordable in the Charleston South Carolina real estate market starting in the low to mid $100's and many people who relocate to the Charleston area are surprised by how much house their money will buy. Taxes are low, jobs are plentiful and the weather is great. As I write this in mid December, we have glorious Carolina blue skies and the temperature is in the high 70's. With all the rain, snow and ice in the Northeast and Midwest, who wouldn't want to live in Charleston.
Now if they could only sell their houses up North and move down ...
I know an excellent Charleston real estate agent who can help them. 