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Planning Fellow Ella Filippo ’26 talks about her work in TR
Home to a vibrant Main Street and the popular Swamp Rabbit Trail, the City of Travelers Rest is a testament to the value of thoughtful, sustainability-oriented planning. I am very grateful to have spent the summer experiencing the attention and energy that City staff devote to managing growth, pursuing advantageous projects and supporting the City’s unique character.
A segment of the creek that I observed during my hike in the Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve, which helped inform the direction of my research for my independent project.
My name is Ella Filippo ‘26, and I am a Planning Fellow at the City of Travelers Rest. Working with Planning Director Jay Martin, I am responsible for attending meetings, completing reports, researching grants and regulations, and organizing an independent project on riparian buffers. As a Politics and International Affairs and Urban Studies double major, I have enjoyed seeing the inner workings of local government and how its operations affect residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
A sign posted for a subdivision hearing, which is part of the Preliminary Subdivision Plan process. This development was approved at the July Planning Commission meeting to move ahead with permitting.
Planning is a crucial component of sustainable development. Government planners are in a unique position to strengthen environmental and social protections, work with developers to meet community needs, and advocate for public goods. During my fellowship, I have maintained notes and reports for upcoming subdivisions and zoning requests, sitting in on the discussions and council meetings that drive this process. I have spent the rest of my time researching projects and grants that could help the City provide recreation access and preserve habitat corridors. For my independent project, I tracked the creeks, topography, flood zones, and surrounding land uses that would best support trails within a 100-foot riparian buffer. This allowed me to explore possibilities to develop recreation space while upholding sustainability goals.
Planning affects everyone’s daily lives and surroundings. Architecture and landscaping, street widths and sidewalks, and the layout and amenities of neighborhoods are only a few examples of the wide variety of decisions made or influenced by planners. This fellowship has changed the way I see my surroundings, as I can better appreciate how a road, business, or home came to look and function. It is an exciting field, and it requires diverse perspectives to reflect its wide-reaching scope. Get involved and learn more about planning – there are so many projects and initiatives to explore!
Keep up with the City of Travelers Rest’s events and activities at https://travelersrestsc.com/ and on Instagram @discovertravelersrestsc!