City of Charleston Basin Flood Action Committee 7/9/26

The City of Charleston Basin Flood Action Committee convened on July 9, 2026, to discuss flood monitoring updates, resilience projects, and the city's zoning code rewrite. Key procurement-related topics included the deployment of new flood sensors at strategic low-lying locations to provide real-time flood alerts, enhancing operational decision-making and public notification capabilities. The committee received updates on ongoing Army Corps of Engineers projects, such as the Battery Extension and comprehensive flood mitigation efforts in West Ashley and James Island, with design phases progressing and public engagement opportunities planned. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the zoning code rewrite funded by ARPA funds, aiming for completion by the end of 2026 and adoption in 2027. The rewrite seeks to modernize development standards, incorporate resilience measures against rising water, and align zoning with infrastructure priorities, including potential overlay zones to limit development intensity in flood-prone areas. Discussions also touched on balancing development incentives in higher elevation zones with protections for wetlands and historic neighborhoods. The committee was encouraged to provide recommendations on the zoning rewrite drafts and participate in upcoming public engagement sessions. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were detailed, but the meeting highlighted ongoing capital improvement projects and planning efforts with procurement implications.