Keep Georgetown Georgetown

City of Georgetown, SC Community Voice for
Cohesive and Thoughtful Development


As citizens of Georgetown, SC, we come together to advocate for responsible growth and preservation of our seaport city's charm. Our goal is to ensure that development occurs thoughtfully, with an eye toward maintaining the unique character and identity of our community.

Georgetown holds a special place in our hearts. Whether we grew up here, returned to our roots, or chose to make this city our home, we all recognize it as a hidden gem along the eastern seaboard. Preserving our community's identity is paramount. We advocate for cohesive neighborhoods that blend the old with the new, featuring established trees, sidewalks, street lights, historic elements, and clear and consistent guidelines on setbacks and building heights. Developers should be required to adhere to these standards to maintain the livability that makes Georgetown such a desirable place.

We believe that city planners and council members must carefully consider all proposed development plans and rezoning requests. They hold Georgetown’s fate in their hands. Simply accepting projects and rezoning solely for the promise of increased tax revenue is not the way forward. We certainly do not want to be the next over developed congested town along the east coast.

Let us work together to ensure that Georgetown continues to thrive as a vibrant and sustainable community, balancing growth with preservation to safeguard our city's essence for generations to come.

2040 Comprehensive Plan Final Working Draft- This is the Final Working Draft of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan that will go before the Planning Commission on February 25th 2025. This posting marks the required 30 day Public Notice Period. Please send all comments, questions and concerns to the Planning Department via email to Pgaytan@georgetownsc.gov. 

Public comments, deliberations and outcome of

city of georgetown Planning commission meeting february 25, 2025

General Community Concerns Regarding
Growth and Development

 

  • The City of Georgetown’s infrastructure; sewers, storm water drainage, water pressure should be updated and improved before any new developments are approved.

  • Traffic is getting worse with the influx of tourists and people relocating to the area. There are multiple accidents on bridges coming into Georgetown. Brown’s Ferry Road is also very dangerous. Front Street is a slow moving parking lot. The entry into the Historic District on St. James is becoming increasingly dangerous.

  • Everyone agrees we don’t want to be the next Myrtle Beach. Therefore, we need to look beyond tourism and attract industries that provide good paying jobs for all employees.

  • Our public schools are at capacity and teacher’s are retiring or leaving for private schools. How are we to handle more students with less teachers? Quality of education needs to come first in order for Georgetown to thrive.

  • Our seaport and waterways set Georgetown apart. We need to preserve our coastal appeal and heritage and embrace boating, fishing and shrimping.

  • Our police department, fire department and hospital system are already under stress and under staffed. Acccelerated growth will leave citizens feelings less safe.

  • Everyone knows that attainable home ownership and available rental properties are hard to come by in all of Georgetown’s neighborhoods. Developers should be encouraged to incorporate them into their plans.

  • Our history is one thing that truly sets us apart. We need to hold to all that makes the historic district special. Developers should not be allowed to overrun existing ordinances with rezoning requests that only benefit them. The integrity of the Historic District needs to reman intact for the benefit of all Georgetown.

  • In 2010 the median house value of a single family was $112,900.

    In 2021 the median house value of a single family was $158,100.

    In 2022 the median single family sales price was $297,945., almost double in one year.

    (Source- 2024 Comprehensive Plan Draft)

    One of the best ways to acquire wealth is through real estate appreciation, let's protect what we have and allow our property values to reflect the true value of Georgetown.

    Georgetown has a history of developers moving in, creating developments, then taking the money and running. We don't need any more vacant developments. Poorly planned developments can unfairly negatively affect the values of adjacent properties.

  • More development puts added strain on an already overloaded electrical supply. Water pressure is already low, and new developments will worsen the situation.

  • The more we build near or on the water, our flood and homeowner’s insurance rate will increase with every claim.

  • With inner city developments come increased density which impacts flooding, traffic, congestion, parking and loss of natural resources.

  • Georgetown is special. Her beauty, natural resources, and small-town charm are all part of Georgetown’s allure. Decisions about her future need to Keep Georgetown Georgetown.

  • A city’s most important assests are its people. The folks who live here, pay taxes here, vote here and support the local economy are the very heart of Georgetown. They deserve a say in how the city moves into the future.

  • With increasing number of people working from home, 5G should be available in every neighborhood so everyone has access to reliable high speed internet.

 
 

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