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.
Complete County Transportation Sales Tax Project Survey by April 7
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.
What we ask you and yours to do today: Take the survey. It is open for only a short period of time. Click here. It’s short and quick. On the last page, insert this comment: "I support the Calhoun Street Corridor Project to ensure safe, reliable access to our neighborhood and to mitigate flooding."
The County Staff will tally remarks in favor of the Calhou Corridor project. Every meniton counts.
Why this matters for Harleston Village? The congestion, 27,000 vehicles per day, and routine flooding on Calhoun Street directly impacts our neighborhood. It limits access to properties and emergency services, and commuting traffic overflow generates wakes increasing damage. These conditions will only worsen with planned development, the location of the Low Country Rapid Transit terminus location (target late 2027), planned MUSC expansion and growth of West Edge, over the next decade.
What Next? Staff-led outreach runs through March 25. In April, County Council refines the list. In May, they finalize and give first reading to the referendum ordinance to be held in November. This funding cycle comes around once every 25 years. Don't let it pass without your voice! |
HVA Officer Elections
May 2026 Meeting!
The nomination process for HVA Officers, for the next two year terms, is now open. If interested in serving, or nominating someone, please click the button for the nomination form and submit to the Secretary, Lisa Rockenbach, at the following email address, lisa@harlestonvillageassociation.org
New News!
Heads Up! Filming in the Neighborhood
The film production company Camp Productions will be in the neighborhood filming on Pitt Street between Montague and Wentworth Streets starting March 29 through April 3. Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The filming has been permitted by the city of Charleston. Parking may be affected. Notifications will be sent to adjacent residents. The group could consist of 35 people.
Upcoming Events in Harleston Village
A lot going, mark you calendars!
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.
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.
