By Martine Miller, Mount Pleasant Communications Manager
MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (December 1, 2020) - Following a multi-departmental reorganization to better serve the community, the Town of Mount Pleasant has launched the Engineering and Development Services Department, while also reorganizing the Planning Department. The new department for Engineering and Development Services is comprised of three divisions: Building Inspection, Engineering and Environmental, and Capital Projects and Transportation. Their objective is to streamline project reviews, approvals, and inspections for citizens and business owners, and to manage programs and services related to public infrastructure and environmental stewardship.
“I believe that it’s important for our local government to constantly assess whether we are meeting the needs of our community,” said Mount Pleasant Town Administrator Eric DeMoura. “This reorganization comes after careful analysis of our performance and of current and future trends. The world is changing quickly. The need for technical skills in local government is increasing. Citizens and business owners expect and deserve speed and predictability. This reorganization will deliver increased performance and efficiency and positions us well to meet the needs of tomorrow.”
“Our newly-minted department focuses on building infrastructure, roads, homes and businesses; protecting our natural and built environments; and enhancing mobility,” said Engineering and Development Services Director Brad Morrison. “Our new divisions, with leaders possessing extensive experience in their respective disciplines, will form the major elements of our department. By housing all engineering and development type services in the department, we will create the opportunity for improved efficiency and coordination.”
The Building Inspection Division, previously located within the Planning and Development Department, reviews construction plans for all residential and commercial development, including additions and renovations. Field inspectors ensure compliance with Town building codes and zoning ordinances throughout the construction process. Deputy Director Lee Cave heads this division and brings more than 31 years of expertise to the Town. Cave will continue to manage the Development Review Team (DRT) process, a program begun last year to improve development project reviews and approvals.
The Engineering and Environmental Division, previously housed partially in the Planning and Public Services departments, is responsible for flood control and water quality protection for the municipal stormwater system and associated water bodies. This is achieved through asset management and capital improvements, maintenance and inspection, system repairs, as well as engineering and technical reviews of development projects. Deputy Director Kevin Mitchell now leads this division and has 21 years of experience in engineering with the Town of Mount Pleasant. An important focus of this division will be coordinating individual project approvals with the more comprehensive planning and land use efforts needed for the larger drainage basins in which they reside.
The Capital Projects and Transportation Division focuses on maintaining and improving mobility, increasing the capacity of the transportation network, and improving access to transportation alternatives. This division manages the Town's Transportation Capital Improvement Program, which includes development and construction of improvement projects on the Town's roadway network. Deputy Director Paul Lykins heads the division and has 20 years of experience in transportation capital projects and engineering with the Town. A more recent and much anticipated project being developed in this division is Mount Pleasant Way, which includes a Town-wide network of multi-use paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.
In the wake of the creation of the Engineering and Development Services Department, The Planning and Development Department will be known as the new Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Department (PLAN). By restructuring and assigning the building and engineering functions to the new department, the PLAN department can focus primarily on planning and land use issues with an emphasis on livability and our neighborhoods. Other responsibilities of the former department, such as the Comprehensive Plan, zoning, re-zoning, short term rentals, tree removal, design review and enforcement will not change.
For more information about the new Engineering and Development Services Department or the Planning, Land Use, and Neighborhoods Department, visit us online at www.tompsc.com.