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.


HVA Officer Elections, UPDATE 

May 7, 2026 Neighborhood Meeting!

Updated: April 17, 2026 

     

    The nomination process for HVA Officers for the next two-year terms is now open. If you are interested in serving, or would like to nominate someone, please complete the nomination form by clicking the link below. To be formally added to the ballot, nominations must be submitted by Monday, May 4.

    If you can’t attend in person, an online voting form will be sent Tuesday, May 5 and will also be available on our website so all members can participate. Voting will close at 8:00 PM EST on Thursday, May 7.

    Current Slate of Candidates: 

    • President: Joseph McGee
    • Vice President: Josh Hughes
    • Treasurer: Jamie Ewing
    • Secretary: Lisa Rockenbach

    If you would like to be formally added to the ballot, please submit your nomination form to lrockenbach@harlestonvillageassocation.org no later than Monday, May 4.

    If you have any questions, please reach out to Lisa Rockenbach at lrockenbach@harlestonvillageassociation.org


    Advocacy Update

       

      Charleston County Releases April 14, 2026 "Public Input" Report -Calhoun Street Improvements Noted

      Dear Neighbor,

      Charleston County's draft Transportation Sales Tax list includes the Calhoun Street Corridor drainage improvements.  That's a win. Now we need to lock it in.

      April 14 Public Input Report Released - 
      Charleston County has released the latest round of public input in a report on the Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax website. 10% of the Q2 respondents expressed coordinated support for the Calhoun Street Corridor project, citing flood mitigation and safe neighborhood access as the primary benefits.

      Excerpt from the report: 

      Project List as of April 2026


      New News!

      Upcoming Events in Harleston Village

      A lot going on, ... mark you calendars!

      Highlighting Family-Friendly Movie Night, Moultrie Playground, 41 Ashley Avenue, 8PM, 

      Stay-tune for the latest news here on the website or social medial 


      Membership - Join Today!

      Membership Options
      We offer two ways to get involved in the Harleston Village community:

      • Resident Membership, $55, 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.
      • Business Membership, $285, 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.

      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.

      — The Genesis of the Harleston Neighborhood, 1672–1770

      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.

      — The Charleston Water Plan

      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.