Sounds like a broken record, but really, change is hard
By Lolita Huckaby
BEAUFORT
People just don’t like change.
There’s that phrase again. This time it came in an interesting report from The Beaufort Gazette about changes coming to Fripp Island where a new management regime is in place.
This particular phrase was used by a Fripp Island property owner expressing his thoughts about the new management company’s plans to change the way renters on the island have access to amenities.
The lawyer representing property owners concerned about the new changes expanded the quote, making the report even more intriguing: “There are these little communities throughout South Carolina and they’re little kingdoms. They each have their own internal set of laws, covenants restrictions and declarations … People are trying to figure out what are the rules.”
At almost any given time, on any given subject, you can find opposition to some specific change. Isn’t it human nature, especially for individuals who care about the community they live in?
And to carry that level of care a step further, many opt to try and control that change … to figure out what are the rules.
There’s an equally old saying, if you don’t like the rules (aka laws or regulations), change them, implying that you should try to figure out the system then change it to impact the change you want to see happen.
No better case could be found, at least locally, than the Pine Island development story which continues to wind its way through the county government channels. The latest move – to attempt to remove the 500 acres from the newly revised St. Helena Cultural Protection Overlay District so that the owner can build the type of exclusive golfing resort he wants.
The neighbors concerned about what that development would mean to their largely rural community plus the Gullah culture which has existed there for generations have studied those rules, joined together in protest, and are working hard to protect an environment already under attack by those who want to live there or get rich by building homes for those who want to live there.
Play by the rules has been the rallying cry of the Historic Beaufort Foundation and downtown property owner Graham Trask in their fight against 303 Associates’ plans for a parking garage and three-story hotel with a roof-top bar. That opposition continues as a Circuit Court judge last week denied an injuction requested by Trask to stop the projects.
In this case, the city officials say they DID “play by the rules.” Trask and HBF say they’re not. The future of that parking garage and new hotel remains to be determined in a courtroom, which is probably the future of the Pine Island development.
In both cases, you have to wonder how long the individuals involved will continue their fight. All sides – those concerned about the future of Pine Island, St. Helena Island and the Gullah culture and the future of Beaufort’s downtown historic character as well as those who have the plans for change – say they’re in this for the long-haul.
A lot of those unhappy with change will chose to sit on their hands – while still complaining – but are weary of the changes they see and feel like there’s “no fighting city hall.” Some will move away but there certainly seems others are eager to move in.
Seems like many folks who’ve “been here” for awhile have largely developed an attitude of wait-and-see. Kinda like the tides, change is gonna keep coming, good and bad, in and out.
Boundary Street comings and goings
BEAUFORT – Traffic planners for the county, city of Beaufort and Port Royal may be busy “re-imagining Ribaut Road” but some folks are still wondering what’s going on over on Boundary.
The bulldozers made quick work this weekend of 2266 Boundary, former home of the county engineering department and United Way of the Lowcountry plus an assortment of small businesses. The two-story structure, believed to be at least 30 years old, was cleared to make way for an expansion of the Boundary Street Redevelopment project open space.
Also making quick work of a wooded parcel across the street at 2233 Boundary Street, bulldozers began site work for the proposed Pintail Pointe Apartment complex next to the new SpringHill Suites.
Design approval of the 84-apartment project was granted by the city planning department in December, without review by the Development Review Board since it’s within the Boundary Street Redevelopment District, just like the Chipotle with its questionable drive-through window.
The city’s new website which features updates on building projects reports building permits for the apartments were issued last month.
It’s not clear whether the property got an archaeological review before the bulldozers started clearing since the 4.3 acres is believed to be an extension of the Civil War earthen works Battery Saxton across Boundary Street.
It’s also unclear how the proposed three-building apartment complex is going to impact the proposed Boundary Street parallel road, a $4 million project which is part of the city’s 2024 Capital Improvements Project list.
Could it be … ???
BEAUFORT – Speaking of permits for new development.
It appears the needed building permit for the new Harris Teeter on Lady’s Island MAY be issued within the week. The permit has been delayed because of unknown items the city staff needed to have.
Finally … the sign is up, the construction material looks like it’s on-hand, the trees have been cleared for the past year … shoppers have been saving their coupons.
Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and newspaper columnist. In her former role as a reporter with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today and Beaufort Today, she prided herself in trying to stay neutral and unbiased. As a columnist, these are her opinions. Her goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com.
