Goose Creek holds public hearing on comprehensive plan update

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) — Goose Creek city leaders are holding a public hearing Tuesday night on an update to the city’s long-term comprehensive plan.

The meeting also includes the first reading of the plan. If it passes, a second reading would follow next month.

Residents react to growth

Melvin Graham has lived in Goose Creek for 30 years and said the changes have been noticeable lately.

“The last five years, it’s just been exponential,” Graham said.

The city’s population grew from about 34,800 in 2010 to 48,000 in 2024. It is projected to reach about 53,200 by 2030.

Graham said he would like to see changes in the city.

“I would like to see more sit-down restaurants. I would like to see a little bit more of a traffic plan. Traffic seems to be getting kind of heavy,” Graham said.

What the plan includes

The updated plan includes road and pedestrian projects and a focus on economic development.

“Creating an environment where businesses can come and be successful. Give our residents great choices for shopping. But also be successful so they can bring in a lot of income and pay us that revenue. We want them to be successful so they can…That can be a healthy situation and take that burden off of our residents,” Johnson said.

Goose Creek does not have a traditional downtown. One goal of the plan is to create areas called village nodes, where housing, shops and restaurants are close together.

“We want great options for housing, but we also want that commercial element to be there. We want people to be able to walk to their grocery store. How great would that be?” said Frank Johnson, public information officer for the City of Goose Creek.

Johnson said residents also have asked for more walkable areas. The city plans to connect City Hall to Central Creek Park by trail.

How to view the plan

The plan is available on the City of Goose Creek website in the Nov. 10 agenda packet.