Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2021

45 www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com | www. ReadMPM. com | www. I LoveMountPl easant . com word but as a proactive approach to creating a livable community.” Today, that community is existentially threatened by a myriad of issues that include flooding, overdevelopment and tourism management. Carroll mused over what makes the city of Charleston great beneath the glossy brand-image that is typically projected. “Its vibrancy, sense of place and diversity,” she said. “Charleston is defined by its community-created character.” Susan Epstein, manager of tours, added, “It’s not a living museum — it’s a real neighborhood. It’s really about livability. You want to live somewhere that is at human scale. No one wants stand-still traffic and skyscrapers.” Preserving authenticity or “Charleston charm” is a “week by week proactive approach to managing change,” explained Carroll. “We never want to be pegged as anti-progress. Just the opposite, we are constantly future-casting. Whether it’s planning and zoning decisions or architectural review, we always consider how to interpret our history and share who we are as a city with one eye to the future.” As the population grows, Epstein is confident that Charleston’s resiliency will help it adapt. “It comes down to planning for that growth in a thoughtful manner, and Charleston County’s comprehensive plan update gives us the ability to see what’s coming down the pipeline,” added Carroll, noting that as the region grows, so does their own scope of work, and they often find themselves in areas of the Lowcountry where they are not well-known. “People tend to think of us just as downtown, but we are monitoring impacts from suburban growth as well,” Carroll continued. She gave examples of payoffs to their advocacy for underrepresented communities, including the recent DHEC stop work order on the Cainhoy historical burial grounds that were slated for redevelopment. The society’s weekly eblast is a great way to keep membership and the community at large well-informed. “There are ample opportunities to weigh in,” noted Carroll. “We recognize the challenges to engage can be time-consuming, which is why this is our full-time job, but we want you to be aware of issues that interest you or could impact your community and equip you with the tools necessary to get your voice heard.” For more information about the Preservation Society of Charleston, visit preservationsociety.org THE FALL TOURS AND MASTER CLASSES Imagine flinging open your front doors and welcoming strangers into your home. A select number of downtown residents do just that each year. Trained docents become temporary stewards as they wind small parties up and down staircases, sharing details and waxing poetic about interior Photos cour t esy of The Prese r vat i on Soc i e t y of Char l es ton .