By Lolita Huckaby
’Tis the season, but how often do you hear a gathering of elected officials and citizenry end a meeting with a chorus of “Jingle Bells?”
That was Port Royal Town Council last week when Mayor Kevin Phillips, the father of two little ones, led the audience and his fellow officials in just such a season finale.
Of course, Phillips, and the town council, had something to celebrate following the long-awaited and much anticipated presentation by representatives of Safe Harbor Marinas (SHMPR) of development plans for the Battery Creek waterfront.
Town officials announced in February they had reached a detailed settlement plan but last week’s presentation to the public was the latest on a development saga which has been going on for the past four years.
On top of that news, the Friends of the Cypress Wetlands announced their plans to pursue a state grant to expand the pathway around the half-acre nature park and bird sanctuary, another reason to encourage good cheer.
Not so cheerful was the crowd gathered two days earlier on the other end of Ribaut Road where there was an attempt to reconsider an earlier decision to reject the Pine Island development agreement
While the standing-room only crowd was generally pleased that a majority of County Council members rejected the idea in September, there was concern surrounding the vote this time to possibly rescind that vote and three more council members switched sides – David Bathomew of Lady’s Island, Paula Brown of Bluffton and Thomas Reitz of Hilton Head. The motion to rescind failed, 6-4.
When the 10-1 vote to reject further discussion was made in September, Councilman Logan Cunningham of Bluffton cast that lone vote.
This latest vote means the two lawsuits filed by the Pine Island company to challenge the Council’s actions remain, AND with seven of the 11 council members up for election next year, there’s concern the developer’s perseverance could pay off and the currently restricted 18-hole-golf course and gated community could get built.
Yes, the last County Council meeting of the year, at least on the Pine Island subject, drew some sighs of relief but certainly no signing of glad tidings.
Beaufort gets balloon ban
BEAUFORT– Last week, the Beaufort City Council’s final meeting of the year drew some praise – but again, no singing – following an unanimous vote making it illegal to release balloons in the city limits.
The municipality already had an ordinance banning the balloon release on city-owned property but last week’s vote extends the ban city-wide.
Supporters of the effort are hoping Beaufort County officials and the other municipalities will follow suit in this effort to protect the environment.
There is also a bill introduced in the S.C. House of Representatives making the ban state-wide.
The county environmental planners along with Keep Beaufort County Beautiful are also promoting an extension of the current plastic bag ban to include plastic straws and eating utensils.
The planners have been making presentations to the municipal councils with hope they will join in the extended ban effort if the County Council takes the lead for passage next year.
St. Helena Island
Correction: In the report last week about the potential development of an RV park on Sea Island Parkway near the Corners community, it was incorrectly stated that the property was outside of the St. Helena Cultural Protection Overlay District, which has been the primary reason why the Pine Island development cannot proceed as planned.
Final approval of the park is still under review by the county Design Review Board.
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. The Rowland, N.C. native’s goal is to be factual but opinionated, based on her own observations. Feel free to contact her at bftbay@gmail.com.
