Your Voice, Your Village.
The Harleston Village Association (HVA) is dedicated to safeguarding the quality of life in our beloved neighborhood.
By joining HVA, you become part of a strong, unified voice that advocates for the well-being and interests of Harleston Village. Stay informed about local issues, participate in meaningful discussions, and help shape the future of our community.
Together, we can ensure that Harleston Village remains a vibrant and thriving place to live.
- MUSC Overlay Zoning – HVA Position
HVA supports MUSC’s mission but urges deferral of the proposed overlay to allow proper public review. Concerns include bypassing City oversight, excessive building heights near residences, and extending the overlay south of Calhoun. Also noted, growth must be matched with infrastructure improvements to mitigate flooding. Link to full statement.
We strongly urge neighbors to attend and speak at the Planning Commission meeting tonight, Tuesday, August 26, 5:00 PM, Public Meeting Room, Gaillard Center, 2 George Street. Your Village, Your Voice.
- CALHOUN WEST DRAINAGE PROJECT - The Calhoun West drainage plan, together with the knee wall and Upper Battery extension, is a critical component of Charleston’s flood protection strategy, safeguarding MUSC, the future Lowline Rapid Transit, and the gateway to Harleston Village from repeated flooding. Please contact County Councilmember Robert L. Wehrman and urge him to support funding the Calhoun West project through the half-cent sales tax to safeguard Charleston’s future. Click here to find out more on the Calhoun West drainage project
- BEACH CO. PIER PERMIT APPLICATION - We are pleased to report, after over 1,000 opposing statements were submitted by neighbors and residents to the SC Department of Environmental Services, the Beach Co. have withdrawn their permit for a private dock at Broad and Lockwood Streets. Your Voice, Your Village
Spring Meeting highlights—and what’s next this fall.
Building on the success of our Spring Meeting, we’re gearing up for an exciting Fall Meeting with featured speakers addressing MUSC’s overlay and its connection to the newly refocused Calhoun West drainage project.
Livability Chairman Chuck Duffy says recent elections have sharpened HVA’s focus on core community priorities.
Mayor Cogswell speaks to a wide range of topics impacting Harleston Village and the surrounding communities.
Secretary Lisa Rockenbach and Membership committee member Megan Waligora welcome new members to the first semi-annual neighborhood meeting at our new location in the neighborhood.
Upcoming Events in Harleston Village
|
Date |
Event |
Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Every Wednesday, thru Sept. |
Weeding Wednesday - Colonial Lake - CHS Parks Conservancy |
5 - 7PM |
|
September 18 |
Jazz in the Park - Moultrie Park - HVA + CHS Parks Conservancy |
5:30PM |
|
September 23 |
Garden Series - HVA |
5 - 7PM |
|
October 17 |
Bloom Charleston - Opening Garden Party - CHS Parks Conservancy |
5:30PM |
|
October 18 |
9:30 - 4:30PM |
|
|
November 8 |
Party for the Parks |
6 - 10PM |
|
November 30 |
Light the Lake - Colonial Lake - City of Charleston |
5 - 7PM |
|
December 9 |
Garden Series - HVA |
5 - 7PM |
|
Date |
Event |
Time |
|---|---|---|
|
September 3 |
HVA Board Meeting - Grace Church Dotterer Library |
5:30PM |
|
October 2 |
Fall Membership Meeting - Grace Church Cathedral |
5:30PM |
|
November 5 |
HVA Board Meeting - Grace Church Dotterer Library |
5:30PM |
|
December 3 |
HVA Board Meeting - Grace Church Dotterer Library |
5:30PM |
Join today!
Membership
Membership Options
We offer two ways to get involved in the Harleston Village community:
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Resident Membership is open to households in the neighborhood. Residents are invited to all meetings, events, and socials, with full access to the newsletter and one vote per household. Membership can begin at any time and renews annually.
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Business Membership is designed for local businesses—including shops, restaurants, hotels, offices, and places of worship—located within Harleston Village. Business Members are encouraged to participate in neighborhood life by attending meetings, socials, and community events.
Donate
While your membership helps sustain our efforts, additional donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated—they enable us to enhance our events, initiatives, and the neighborhood we all cherish. Thank you for your support!
Our Garden Series is off to a wonderful start—thank you to everyone who joined us!
The Garden Series started strong with 100+ attendees! Mark your calendars for our upcoming Fall party (September 23rd) and holiday kickoff (December 9th).
Committees
Committee Chair: Joshua Hughes
The programs committee is responsible for planning and coordinating board meetings, membership meetings, and securing meeting venues. The Vice President shall serve as the chair of this committee.
Committee Chair: Meghan Friday
The Membership and Publicity Committee is responsible for maintaining an accurate and up-to-date membership roster, expanding the Association’s membership, and encouraging member participation in activities and initiatives. It also manages all communications and outreach efforts, including keeping members informed about neighborhood developments and city actions through the website, social media, and email updates. The committee oversees the publication of newsletters, external communications such as press releases, and timely information for the news media. Additionally, it promotes the Association’s role, raises awareness of its impact, and highlights the benefits of membership to strengthen engagement and community involvement.
Committee Chair: Wiley Becker
The land use committee mission is to preserve architectural integrity and enhance quality of life in our historic district. It reviews applications to the Board of Architectural Review and Board of Zoning Appeals, providing neighborhood input. The committee also evaluates zoning, planning, and ordinance amendments from the Planning Commission, offering informed feedback. Collaborating with preservation organizations and consulting with affected neighbors, it ensures well-rounded contributions to city decisions.
Committee Chair: Chuck Duffy
The livability committee keeps the board informed of all matters affecting the overall livability of Harleston Village residents, including crime, traffic, safety, noise, special events, and the production of motion pictures or television shows. The chair shall represent the neighborhood’s interests in maintaining or improving quality of life at public forums or any other relevant meetings.
Committee Chair: Ashley Hughes
The parks committee is responsible for keeping the Board informed of all matters related to the parks within the neighborhood. The Chair will represent the neighborhood’s consensus at public meetings of the Colonial Commons Committee and other public meetings related to parks.
Committee Chair: Susan Lyons
The resilience committee shall play a vital role in safeguarding Harleston Village against the impacts of flooding and climate change. It will closely monitor key initiatives, including the Low Battery redesign, the potential Calhoun-West Drainage project, and ongoing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers studies. By staying informed and engaged, this committee works to protect the neighborhood from saltwater intrusion driven by storm surges and tides, as well as freshwater flooding related to inadequate drainage.
Harleston Village dates back to 1672, making it one of Charleston's oldest neighborhoods.
Building a resilient Charleston
Water Plan
Charleston's Water Plan is a comprehensive strategy for managing, conserving, and sustainably utilizing water resources to meet current and future needs.
TIDEye
TIDEeye is a coastal monitoring and decision-making tool that provides real-time data and insights on tides, currents, and environmental conditions.
Flooding and Sea Level Rise Strategy Update
The City of Charleston's Flooding and Sea Level Rise Strategy Update outlines comprehensive measures to address current and future flood risks, emphasizing infrastructure improvements, policy changes, and community engagement to enhance resilience against sea level rise.
Overall Charleston is one of the least densely populated major cities in America, half as dense as New Orleans and four times less dense than Norfolk. As Charleston continues to grow, appropriate development in flood safe areas, can help justify infrastructural investment in flood prone ones, increasing the tax base and driving up the cost benefit ratio.
Colonial Lake refresh
Colonial Lake Revitalization
Colonial Lake is a cherished public space in the heart of Harleston Village and a gem of Charleston’s parks system, requiring ongoing maintenance and horticultural care to remain vibrant for residents and visitors. The Charleston Parks Conservancy urges the community to support its upkeep through donations, volunteering, and other forms of involvement to preserve this urban oasis for future generations.
Zoning code rewrite
Comprehensive Zoning Code Update
Charleston’s zoning code rewrite could significantly shape Harleston Village by updating building height, design standards, and allowable uses. These changes may affect the neighborhood’s traditional scale, traffic patterns, walkability, historic preservation, green spaces, and overall community life.
