Keep Mount Pleasant, Pleasant

We are a group of concerned citizens dedicated to smart sustainable development that connects communities, supports local small businesses, and preserves our natural environment. Currently the Town government is in the process of trying to remove an ordinance that protects our town from developers squeezing big box stores onto properties smaller than 50 acres. WE ARE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE REMOVAL OF THIS PROTECTION AGAINST BIG BOX DEVELOPMENT AND URGE THAT THE ORDINANCE BE LEFT ON THE BOOKS. Continued Big Box development, particularly in residential areas, is directly in opposition to the spirit and the letter of the Comprehensive Plan. In addition, the rise of Big Box retail development has been described as being responsible for some of the most pressing problems of our times, and we are very concerned about the legacy of planning decisions made today without thorough research. By squeezing in additional big box stores on smaller properties, neighborhoods will be walled off and divided and vehicular traffic will be greatly increased. Increased noise, light, and air pollution will also follow. The sensitive environmental landscape will be at risk, property values are certain to fall, and overall quality of life for all of our residents will deteriorate. Vast parking areas are needed for big box stores. This will require that most of the less than 50 acre lot be paved. This is contradictory in the Towns goals to increase natural infiltration and retention of stormwater through the use of Sensitive Urban Design and Low Impact Development techniques. Each acre of impermeable parking surface produces runoff of 25K gallons of water in a one inch storm (causing erosion, flooding, and flow of pollutants like oil, chemicals, bacteria and heavy metals into waterways), versus 2,700 gallons on an undeveloped site. Big box stores undermine local small businesses. Buy Local is a burgeoning groundswell for a very good reason. Citizens realize that by supporting local establishments, we keep local jobs and small businesses thriving, which in turn creates a healthy local economy. Only 14% of Big Box revenue remains in the local economy. Everyone in Mount Pleasant deserves to live near quality employment. Big box stores are on the way out. There is an impending revolution in the retail industry that is driven by changing demographics, technology, and local business support. Companies will either adjust and capitalize on new consumer demands and buying patterns or they will go out of business. Small box is the new retail mantra.--Bloomberg Business News Big box stores are unsustainable. Currently, the life of a big box store is 18-20 years, and shrinking. With our rapidly changing economy, that life will be shortened dramatically, as is already being evidenced in communities across the Nation. Consequently, our neighborhoods and Town will be burdened with these single-use monstrosities of fallow buildings (already being termed Ghost boxes) and vast paved areas. This will further devalue properties surrounding the stores and cause a significant public policy dilemna. PLEASE WRITE/EMAIL MAYOR SWAILS AND OUR TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS STATING YOUR CONCERNS, AND PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING NEXT TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 8. Public input is what makes this a true community and it makes a strong impact. Lets help shape our future Town to be on the forefront of good, sound, sustainable development that connects and defines our unique Mount Pleasant Community. Town Council Meeting: Tuesday, May 8th at 6:00 pm--Council Chambers Town Council Mailing Address: 100 Ann Edwards Blvd., Mt. P., SC 29464 Town Council and Mayor Email address: councilclk@tompsc.com Please join the discussion: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/keepmountpleasantpleasant/join