Mount Pleasant considers updates to home-based business rules, particularly swim lessons (2024)

Mount Pleasant is rethinking its rules about residents running businesses out of their homes.

The town already has an ordinance in place for indoor home-based enterprisesbut it doesn't extend to outdoor activities, particularly swim lessons.

On Aug. 13, elected officials approved the first of tworeviews of an amendment that would include outdoor instructional business— but would limit when they can operate. Instruction times would be restricted to four hours a day, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. if it takes effect.

Other proposed revisions would require that the businesses provide lessons to no more than two students at a time and that visiting cars be parked off the street.

While members were in favor of amending the original ordinance to include outdoor businesses, they were split on the specifics.

Council member Jake Rambo, a father of young children, said he understands the value of at-home swim lessons given Mount Pleasant’s proximity to the ocean and its growing number of pools. Limiting opportunities for lessons could be a hindrance.

“I do think that these restrictions of four hours a day are overly burdensome considering there’s only a certain time of year that they are allowed,” Rambo said.

He noted when the same issue came up in Charleston a few years prior, the city did not put restrictions on business owners outside of a noise ordinance.

Rambo said he'll look to amend the restrictions during the second review to give more flexibility to instructors.

With indoor businesses, owners have minimal noise imposition on their neighbors, council member Guang Ming Whitley said. But if a swim instructor has students in a residential pool eight hours a day, seven days a week in order to maximize revenue, noise could become an issue, she said.

“I’m a little bit concerned about that. I think there’s a reason we had this ordinance before to not allow outdoor activities, to protect neighbors from this,” she said. “I don’t know if the noise ordinance is going to be enough.”

At opposite ends of the proposed changes are Mount Pleasant neighbors Jody Mantie and Joanne Gorum, who were at the meeting to provide public feedback.

Mantie, an Infant Swimming Resourcesinstructor who works out of her home, said she's been the subject of numerous complaints by Gorum.She asked council members to encourage and support swimming instruction in all varieties rather than limit them and her ability to make a living.

“The times that are in highest demand are before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m., mostly from working parents trying to provide this layer of protection against drowning for their children,” Mantie said.

Yes, some children cry during swim lessons, she added. She believes the outbursts are below the 60 decibels or less mandated by the town between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Mantie provided signatures of neighbors in support of her business, which has a waitlist, and who will attest to its lack of disruption.

Gorum, whose lives on the same street, said after three years of swim lessons the noise has become “unbearable.”

“I am home with health problems. I asked her to be patient and let’s work with the swimming lessons,” she said. “I understand kids need swimming lessons, but I have health problems and can’t be stressed out and stuff.”

Gorum has lived in her community off Mathis Ferry Road for 26 years and said the issue prevents her from maintaining good relationships with her neighbors.

“I just want to live a comfortable, peaceful life and get along with my neighbors,” she said. “But I’ve called the cops, I’ve called the planning board. I’ve been down here, and I just want some relief.”

Town Council is expected to revisit the issue at its September meeting. The amendment will require one more votebefore it can take effect.