AN INVESTIGATION OF SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT AND ITS EFFECT ON TRANSPORTATION PLANNING: THE LOWER SAVANNAH REGION OF GOVERNMENT

Sprawl development is a highly controversial topic these days in communities throughout the United States. In most instances, the term sprawl development provokes issues of negative land development practices such as increased traffic congestion, environmental degradation and loss of open space and farmland. There is no universal acceptance among researchers, politicians, special interest groups and the general public about the true impact of sprawl development in their respective communities or jurisdictions. Many critics have identified isolated findings that support some of their beliefs about sprawl development while not totally acknowledging the positive benefits of such development. Controversy continues to exist among community leaders, local government officials, special interest groups and the general public about what is the best approach for a community to produce a solid economic base for its citizenry, to protect the environment and to promote livable sustainable communities. Communities throughout South Carolina have adopted some version of smart development strategies. According to the most recent Planning Literature, an adoption of the appropriate smart strategies would produce communities that are responsive and compatible with the environment while simultaneously providing economic rewards and social gratification to all sectors and interests in the community. The State of South Carolina is in its embryonic stage of adopting smart strategies. The State in 1994 enacted the South Carolina Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act. The primary purpose of the act was to consolidate all existing planning laws into one and to give local governments the authority to adopt comprehensive plans to guide growth and development within their borders. Other states like Vermont, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Oregon, have passed and implemented legislation to address sprawl development. This research focused primarily on local government official responses to growth questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The data gathered reflect similar findings experienced by the rural counties within the State of South Carolina. Specific implications for controlled development standards have been identified as significant factors for land-use decisions.