Feb 03, 2026 Natural Resources Committee

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:08]

MEETING MEETING FOR FEBRUARY THE THIRD 2026 TO ORDER ASK THAT YOU ARISE WITH ME IS PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND JOIN ME ME ABSOLUTELY JUST TO FLAG THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH DECISIONS ONE SHOULD STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WE HAVE NOTIFIED THE PRESS AND EVERYBODY WE NEED SIR. YES SIR WE HAVE.

BUT THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE OF THIS MEETING WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE THAT ARE HERE. WE DO HAVE A CALL FROM THE COMMITTEE.

IT'S A MATTER OF FACT WE HAVE EVERYBODY FROM THE COMMITTEE PRESENT EXCEPT FOR MRS. TABACHNICK AND SHE'S ACTUALLY ON THE FROM ZOOM AND TOM IS WITH US WELL OKAY THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER AGENDA 2025 THE AGENDA FOR OH I

[4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ]

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

OH HE HE VOTED YEAH I GOTCHA. OKAY I CAN PROBABLY MOTION SECOND FOR THE APPROVAL CAN WE APPROVE THIS WITHOUT OBJECTION THERE'S NO OBJECTION. OKAY MINUTES BEEN APPROVED WE

[6. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD – 15 MINUTES TOTAL ]

WE HAVE TO COMMENTS. THE FIRST ONE IS BISHOP KENNETH DO MR. CHAIR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THESE I AM KENNETH DOE FOR OVER 50 YEARS I'VE BEEN BLESSED TO SERVE BETHESDA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP ON ST HELENA ISLAND.

I'M HERE AND ENCOURAGE URGING AND APPLAUDING YOUR POSITIVE CONSIDERATION OF OUR REZONING REQUEST. OUR PLANS ARE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE CPO PARTICULARLY CORNERS COMMUNITY PLAN ALSO THE CHANGE IN ZONING WILL BE IN LINE WITH ADJACENT PROPERTIES BETHESDA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP'S MISSION INCLUDES SEEKING TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY BY RAISING ALERT CIVIC AND COMMUNITY MINDED CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING STRENGTHENING THE STRENGTHENING OF OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME ATTENTION AND YOUR POSITIVE CONSIDERATION ON OUR BEHALF AND PLEASE EXCUSE ME BECAUSE I DO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE CHURCH THAT I NEED TO GET TO. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. AND OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SIR GRANT MCHUGH.

HELLO. MY NAME IS GRANT AND I'M WITH THE COASTAL CONSERVATION LEAGUE. I SERVE AS THE SOUTH COAST OFFICE DIRECTOR HERE IN BEAUFORT WORKING ON ISSUES BEAUFORT, JASPER HINTON AND COLLETON COUNTY.

WE ARE OF COURSE ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION NONPROFIT STARTED IN 89 IN CHARLESTON.

I'M HERE TODAY. I'VE ACTUALLY GOT SOME EXCITING NEWS .

I WANTED TO INTRODUCE THE COMMITTEE TO OUR NEWEST HIRE BOB CRIMEA AND SO BOB IF YOU

[00:05:05]

[7. ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT]

AND I MENTIONED DURING THAT DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD SOME TOOLS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN OUR TOOLBOX IN OUR PLANNING AND ZONING CODES THAT PERHAPS WE AS A COUNTY COULD USE TO HELP FORMULATE AND HELP BRING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. SO I'LL TURN IT OVER TO ROB AND HE'S GOING TO SHARE THOSE TOOLS WITH YOU. THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. CHAIRMAN. MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE REAL BRIEFLY I WANTED TO PROVIDE KIND OF A FRAMEWORK FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WANTED TO START WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY OUR POLICY DOCUMENT FOR VIEW FOR COUNTY AND ONE OF THE REQUIRED CHAPTERS THAT YOU KNOW IS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO HAVE IS IS FOR HOUSING ITSELF. SO THERE'S ONE PARTICULAR RECOMMENDATION IN THIS CHAPTER I THINK IS RELEVANT TO THIS CONVERSATION AND THAT IS WHAT WOULD BE TO YOU KNOW THAT'S BASICALLY WE LIST EACH OF THE POLICIES REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE TO MAKE SURE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST THAT WE'RE TRYING TO BALANCE BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT INADVERTENTLY CREATING BARRIERS TO THE CREATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGH OTHER REGULATIONS. AND SO THAT IS AN ONGOING GOAL .

AND SO I THINK THAT THAT OPENS UP THE DISCUSSION IN THE WHEN WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOOKING AT OR MAYBE YOU KNOW SOME PROJECTS MAY HAVE GONE THE WAY WE THOUGHT THEY SHOULD HAVE OR WE RAN INTO SOME OBSTACLES. IT'S IMPORTANT TO CONSTANTLY, YOU KNOW, CIRCLE BACK AND EVALUATE POLICIES THAT WE HAVE. WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER? I WOULD YOU KNOW, KIND OF SAY THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ONE OF THOSE REALLY COMPLEX ISSUES AND THERE'S A MULTIPLE SOURCES ,YOU KNOW, PROBLEMS THAT CREATE THE CRISIS, YOU KNOW.

AND SO IT'S OF THOSE THINGS THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO LOOK AT WITH ONE SILVER BULLET OR PANACEA, YOU KNOW, TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AND SO YOU'LL SEE WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR CURRENT POLICIES IT'S A LOT OF LITTLE THINGS THAT HOPEFULLY CREATE A FRAMEWORK TO ALLOW FOR FUTURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IT ALSO IT'S YOU KNOW THE OTHER IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT WE ARE CONSTANT DEALING WITH COMPETING DEMANDS.

WE HAVE A REAL STRONG INTEREST, YOU KNOW, FOR PRESERVING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, FOR SAVING TREES AND SOMETIMES THOSE THINGS DO GO COUNTER. YOU KNOW, THEY MIGHT DRIVE UP THE COST OF DEVELOPMENT AND SO ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE TO BE LOOKED AT KIND OF AT OUR BROAD POLICY AS A COUNTY IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE OH SORRY I GUESS I I'M IN CONTROL.

IT'S NOT WHAT I WANT TO SAY. OH OKAY. HERE WE GO.

[00:10:07]

IT'S BEEN USED ONCE SINCE THE ORDINANCE HAS BEEN ADOPTED BUT SOMETHING THAT YOU KNOW, I THINK WOULD YOU KNOW, A GOOD POINT FOR DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER WE NEED TO EXPAND THAT OPTION RURAL HOUSING SO THERE'S A RECOGNITION THAT IN RURAL AREAS APPROACHES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING ARE GOING TO BE DIFFERENT AND IN URBANIZED AREAS WHERE YOU HAVE SERVICES, MANY OF THESE POLICIES ARE GEARED TOWARD HELPING STAY ON PROPERTY THAT IS WITHIN FAMILY OR ALLOWING YOU KNOW, THAT SUPPORT NETWORK THAT YOU HAVE IN RURAL AREAS PEOPLE TO STAY IN THEIR OWN HOUSES ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS. THIS IS WHERE YOU AN ADDITIONAL GARAGE APARTMENT IT PROVIDES A MUCH MORE DIVERSITY OF HOUSING TYPES AND ALSO PROVIDES POSSIBLE INCOME SOURCE FOR FOR HOMEOWNERS YOU KNOW WE HAVE OUR PLACE MAKING TOOLS THESE ARE ZONING DISTRICTS OFTEN BUNDLED IS TRANSECT ZONES THAT ALLOW FOR AND REQUIRE A MIX OF HOUSING TYPES WITH THE GOAL THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT BY OFFERING THAT IT MAY PRODUCE MORE DIVERSITY IN OUR HOUSING WHERE YOU HAVE SMALLER THAT MIGHT SERVE PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE THAN THAN A LARGE FAMILY LOOKING FOR A BIG HOUSE WE CAN JUST REAL QUICKLY GO OVER EACH OF THEM SORRY I'M SO DENSITY BONUSES WE'VE USED THIS ONCE AND JUST BE HONEST BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME FRAMEWORK THERE IS A SUBURBAN ON TO 78 THIS IS BASICALLY BETWEEN WHERE THE LOWE'S ON MALPAS ROAD AS YOU GO TOWARD THE HILTON ISLAND BRIDGE THEY CONVERTED TO A NEXT LOFT. THEY WERE ORIGINALLY A ONE OF THE EXTENDED STAY AND HAD EFFICIENCY UNITS BUT THE CONVERSION WHICH THEY WANTED TO TARGET, YOU KNOW YOUNG SINGLE PEOPLE AND MAKE IT AFFORDABLE YOU KNOW, THE DENSITY WAS MUCH GREATER THAN WHAT THAT DISTRICT ALLOWED AND THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE WE WORKED WITH COUNCIL AT THAT TIME TO DEVELOP TOOL TO ALLOW THE DENSITY REQUIREMENT TO BE WAIVED AS LONG AS THERE'S SOME SPECIFIC AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENT. SO HERE IT IS A 25% OF THE UNITS FOR 20 YEARS OF AFFORDABILITY. SO THERE'S BUILT IN REQUIREMENTS.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING WHERE SOMEBODY COULD JUST YOU KNOW, HEY, I'M BUILDING AFFORDABLE UNITS OR WORKFORCE. THERE IS SOME SOME AND TRACKING OF THIS SO THIS IS ONE PROJECT I WISH WE HAD A FEW MORE THAT WE HIGHLIGHT BUT THIS IS ONE THAT'S BEEN USED UNDER THIS EXISTING CODE I WILL SAY THAT WE DID HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DENSITY BONUSES IN OUR PRIOR ORDINANCE, OUR ZONING AND STANDARDS ORDINANCE AND THE TWO PROJECTS THAT WERE USED WELL ONE OF THEM WAS A LOW INCOME HOUSING CREDIT PROJECT IN LAUREL BAY ROAD AND ANOTHER ONE WAS MINT FARMS WHICH IS OVER NEAR BETTER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL UNITS. SO IT'S NOT A COMMONLY USED PROVISION BUT IT IS SOMETHING IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE IN THE TOOLBOX AND OFTEN IT IS COUPLED SOME OTHER TYPE OF PROGRAM.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK A LOT OF DEVELOPERS ARE NOT NECESSARILY INTO TRACKING OF THE AFFORDABILITY AND I THINK THAT THAT'S OFTEN A BARRIER.

SO IT WORKS WELL WHEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER PROGRAM LIKE AFFORDABLE TAX CREDITS BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS RECOGNIZED NEAR CODE WHEN WE LOOK TO RURAL AREAS, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOLS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR LAND USE TOOLBOX IS THIS IDEA OF A FAMILY COMPOUND AND THIS IS WHERE YOU HAVE LAND THAT HAS BEEN WITH FAMILIES FOR A GENERATION OR TWO.

THE REQUIREMENT HERE IS 50 YEARS BUT IT ALLOWS PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS TO HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS MOVE ONTO THEIR PROPERTY AND NOT BE YOU. YOU HAVE TO FACE THE THE DENSITY GOALS OF THE YOU KNOW ALLOW SOME ADDITIONAL DENSITY THAT THEY WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE IN RURAL AND WHAT THIS ALLOWS IS VERY SMALL SCALE A SUPPORT NETWORK AMONG FAMILIES IN RURAL AREAS BUT IT DOESN'T OPEN IT UP TO LARGE TRACTS DEVELOPMENT THAT COULD PRODUCE THE TYPE OF GROWTH THAT IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH OUR RURAL AREAS AND WOULD BE A STRAIN ON

[00:15:08]

IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY WRITTEN INTO CERTAIN ZONING DISTRICTS IN ADDITION TO THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING CALLED THE PLACE TYPE OVERLAY WHICH I THINK COUNCIL GOTTEN SOME FAMILIARITY AS DIFFERENT PROJECTS HAVE COME. THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE WE HAVE A FRAMEWORK IN PLAN THAT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN UP OF A CERTAIN AREA THAT'S BEEN IDENTIFIED AS PLACE TYPE AND THAT ALLOWS FOR ADDITIONAL DENSITY AS WELL.

SO THESE ARE SOME PARCEL TOOLS THAT YOU KNOW COULD CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND I GUESS THIS IS I WOULD SAY POINT FOR IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COUNCIL WANTS TO LOOK AT YOU KNOW, IN THE FUTURE AND LOOK AT YOU KNOW DO HAVE ADEQUATE TOOLS DO WE WANT TO EXPAND ON CERTAIN THINGS IS A KIND OF A FRAMEWORK TO HAVE A HAVE THAT DISCUSSION WITH THAT I WILL ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS QUESTIONS I ALWAYS HAVE A QUESTION WHAT'S THE MINIMUM FOR THE TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY PLAN ABOUT? I BELIEVE SO WE HAVE TWO TYPES ONE IS CALLED AN INFILL AND IT ALLOWS MORE OF THE RESIDENTIAL TRANSECT ZONES. SO IF YOU THINK OF BROAD STREET AND IN THE MASSEY OAKS NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WOULD BE THE EXAMPLE THAT COULD BE I BELIEVE IT'S EIGHT ACRES IS THE THRESHOLD AND THEN WE HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY PLAN WOULD BE I BELIEVE IT'S 20 ACRES YOU KNOW SO YEAH THAT'S KIND OF BUILT IN IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN JUST KIND OF CRAM A SMALL LOT. THE OTHER QUESTION IT SEEMS TO IS SHE RAISING HER HAND? NO, NO YOU ARE. I HAVE A QUICK FOLLOW UP.

THANK YOU. SO THAT WAS GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I GUESS THE THE BIG QUESTION IS WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE WITH THIS INFORMATION? SO WE'RE GOING TO ENGAGE WITH THE HOUSING TRUST, ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION OF HOW WE CAN TAKE EACH ONE OF THESE BUCKETS OR TOOLS AND EXPAND THEM, COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO

[00:20:05]

WHAT THAT MEANS IS YOU CAN PUT TOGETHER DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAKE SENSE FOR THAT AREA, HAVE MIXED TYPES OF HOUSING WITHIN THAT AREA AND THEN WITH A REGULATING PLAN COUNTY COUNCIL CAN CONTROL THE PHASING PLAN HOW IT GOES, THE PRICING POINTS, ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF AND THEN YOU SOLIDIFY THAT WITH A SECONDARY DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT CAN GET COMPLICATED TOO.

BUT THOSE TWO ITEMS ARE HUGE TOOLS THAT THINK WE CAN USE AS A STARTING POINT TO SPRINGBOARD THE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE REALLY EFFECTIVE IN FACILITATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THAT'S A LOT I KNOW IT IS BUT. IT'S A STARTING POINT AND IT GIVES A LITTLE BIT OF A FRAMEWORK AS TO WHERE WE AS STAFF PLAN ON MOVING FORWARD WITH THE DISCUSSION WITH THESE TOOLS. I HOPE THAT'S HELPFUL WITH THE UPGRADING THEM. WHAT'S THE NATURE OF THE COLLABORATION? HOW CAN USE OUR EXISTING TOOLS TO MAKE IT EASIER GET AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS BUILT? THAT'S OUR STARTING POINT. THOSE ARE COMING TO THEM WITH THE DEVELOPMENT REQUEST SO IT'S ALL THE ABOVE? ABSOLUTELY YEAH. THE LAND, THE DENSITY OBVIOUSLY THE HIGHER THE DENSITY THE MORE OPTIONS THAT A DEVELOPER THE MORE COST EFFECTIVE IT CAN AS A FIRST STOP FOR THEM IS GOING THERE WITH A PLAN PROPOSAL? IT'S A STOP.

YES, SIR. IT'S COME HERE IN THEIR BID. YES, SIR.

YEAH. SO YOU KNOW THOSE OF US THAT WERE THE MEETING WHERE YOU AND AND JOE AND TAB AND I WERE THEY CHALLENGED US TO WHAT YEAH I REMEMBER THAT.

SO THAT'S THIS IS IS OUR FIRST POINT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THAT AND I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE TOGETHER A FRAMEWORK TO IDENTIFY THE DIFFERENT TOOLS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE BECAUSE IT'S IT'S PRETTY LOW HANGING FRUIT. WE JUST HAVE TO IDENTIFY WHAT WE WANT TO MODIFY HOW AGGRESSIVE WE WANT TO BE AS A COUNTY TARGET THOSE AND THEN WE CAN COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THEM WITHIN WE'RE GOING TO BRING THAT BACK TO YOU ONCE WE DISCUSS IT WITH THE HOUSING TRUST, SEE WHAT IS MOST NEEDED BECAUSE IT'S BROKEN DOWN BY ARMY AND WE'VE HEARD 60 TO 8100 WORKFORCE CAN BE HUNDRED AND 20 THERE CAN BE DIFFERENT THRESHOLDS OF PERCENTAGE INCREASES FOR HOWEVER MANY OF EACH TYPE.

IT GETS COMPLICATED BUT I THINK WE CAN GET THERE SO OKAY ANY OTHER QUESTION FOR MR. AKERSON? OKAY. WELL, WE A SECOND PRESENTATION BY STEPHANIE MAJEED.

SHE'S GOING TO GIVE A LAND PRESERVATION UPDATE TO BE A REAL QUICK UPDATE.

SO I'LL INVITE STEPHANIE IN ONCE SHE'S DONE. THAT'LL CONCLUDE THE ACA REPORT. THANK YOU, SIR. GO AHEAD.

AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. CHAIR. COMMITTEE AND I SEE.

WAS ASKED TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PASSIVE PARK DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND SO THERE ARE SIX OF THEM. I'M JUST GOING TO GIVE OF A BROAD OVERVIEW AND THEN IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. SO I'M GOING TO TAKE THEM IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. BAILLIE MEMORIAL PARK IS IN IS A FIVE ACRE PROPERTY IN THE OLDROYD BLUFFTON COMMUNITY. WE RECEIVED OUR STATE COASTAL ZONE CONSISTENCY APPROVAL IN NOVEMBER AS WELL AS OUR COUNTY SRT CONCEPTUAL APPROVAL IN DECEMBER AND SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE FINALIZING THE PLAN REVISIONS REQUESTED AT COUNTY SRT AND GOING THROUGH THAT FINAL PERMITTING PROCESS WITH THE COUNTY BERMUDA BLUFF PRESERVE IS A 26 ACRE PARCEL ON SAINT HELENA ISLAND. WE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSE HELD IN NOVEMBER.

WE HAD I THINK THERE WERE ABOUT 30 COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT SHOWED UP AND WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING SITE SURVEYS, ASSESSMENTS AND ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT WE NEED TO COLLECT IN ORDER TO START PLAN. CAMP ST MARY'S IS A TEN ACRE PARCEL IN THE OKATIE AREA.

[00:25:01]

WE HAVE SOIL BORINGS AND A GEOTECH REPORT TO DO WELL AND SEPTIC INVESTIGATIONS WE HAVE TO DRAFT THE PLAN WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO START THE PERMITTING PROCESS SOMETIME THIS SUMMER SO I MEAN IT'S A GOOD AND A HALF IF NOT TWO YEARS OUT CAN I TELL? YES. SO WE DID MEET ON SITE WITH FOLKS IN THAT AREA AND THEY WERE WELL AWARE STEPHANIE IS IN CONTACT. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE GENTLEMAN'S NAME WHO REPRESENTS THAT AREA IT'S CERTAINLY NOT AN AWAY BUT THERE'S A COMMUNITY THAT'S OUT THERE SO THEY KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING IT IS IT'S IMPERATIVE BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF SURVEYS THAT WE'RE DOING FOR ARCHEOLOGY THAT THE PUBLIC NOT GO ON THAT SITE.

IT COULD REALLY SET US BACK. SO DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY FIND THAT OF DEFINES THE PATH FORWARD IT COULD ALTER OUR PLAN IF WE HAVE TO WORK AROUND SOME OF THOSE ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDS THERE ARE ANY AND LIKE STEPHANIE SAID IT COULD IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE TWO YEARS ISH BEFORE THE PARKS OPEN AND BUT THAT IS BECAUSE WE'RE VERY SENSITIVE TO BEING IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE ARCHEOLOGICAL LAWS. SO APPROPRIATE USE OF THE WATER. OH ABSOLUTELY GREAT USE THE WATER.

OH YEAH THE PIER AND DOCK IS STILL GOING TO REMAIN AND WE'RE HOPING TO PUT A KAYAK LAUNCH ON THE DOCK SO THAT IT'S HAS SOME ADDITIONAL ACCESS. YEP.

THE FOURTH ONE IS FORT SILL RUNNING. IT'S A SEVEN ACRE PARCEL ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND. WE HAVE FINISHED OUR FINAL PERMITTING APPROVALS FROM THE STATE IN TOWN RECEIVED IN SEPTEMBER. OUR SOLICITATION WAS ADVERTISED IN DECEMBER. BIDS WERE RECEIVED JANUARY AND WE WILL HAVE A CONTRACT WE ACTUALLY HAVE IN THE AGENDA SYSTEM A CONTRACT RECOMMENDATION TO COME TO THE PUBLIC FACILITIES COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 17TH. IT IS LESS THAN 200,000 SO IT ONLY NEEDS COMMITTEE THE FIFTH ONE OKATIE RIVER PARK IT'S 17 ACRES IN THE OKATIE BLUFFTON AREA. PHASE ONE PARK CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED IN JANUARY.

WE'RE FINALIZING SOME S.O.S. AND SEAL PAPERWORK THIS MONTH THE PHASE TWO CONSTRUCTION WHICH IS ALONG THE SOUTH POND EMBANKMENT JUST SOME MINOR SIDE WALKING AND FENCING BUT IT CAN'T BE COMPLETED UNTIL STORMWATER DEPARTMENT FINISHES THE REPAIRS TO THE EMBANKMENT ON THE SOUTH POND. AND THE LAST I HEARD FROM THAT WAS THEY WERE FINISHING CONTRACTING WITH THE ENGINEERING FIRM. WHO'S GOING TO DESIGN THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THEY WERE HAVING TALKS A ABOUT THAT LAST WEEK AND THEN THE LAST ONE FOR PINE VIEW PRESERVE IT'S A 100 ACRE PARCEL ON ISLAND WE RECEIVED A ZIBO VARIANCE LAST APRIL. WE HAVE SRT CONCEPTUAL APPROVAL OBTAINED IN OCTOBER .

WE HAVE OUR COASTAL ZONE CONSISTENCY FROM THE STATE IN JANUARY AND SO WE'RE ALSO FINALIZING THE REMAINING COUNTY STAFF REVIEW TEAM PERMITTING PROCESS AND.

THEN ONCE THAT ONCE WE HAVE THAT APPROVAL THEN WE CAN PUT THAT OUT TO BID AT THE ONE OFF OF SAMS POINT, RIGHT? YES MA'AM. ANY QUESTION FOR STEPHANIE AT THIS TIME WE APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CAROLYN.

[8.a. Discussion of Funding to allow for Subsidies of Impact Fees for Qualified Affordable Housing pursuant to Ordinance 2015/28 and Chapter 82 Section 33 of the Beaufort County General Code of Ordinances. ]

[00:30:01]

THIS SECTION IS TITLED IMPACT FROM EXEMPTIONS FROM IMPACT FEES AND THEY KIND OF FALL INTO A FEW BUCKETS SO THERE ARE NINE TOTAL THE FIRST FIVE GENERALLY DEAL WITH REBUILDING REMODELING REPLACING SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T ADD TO THE NUMBER SERVICE UNITS ON A GIVEN PROPERTY THERE IS AN ACCESSORY USE PROVISION UNDER NUMBER SIX. NUMBER EIGHT IS CONSTRUCTING A NEW ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL AND NUMBER NINE IS CONSTRUCTING A NEW VOLUNTEER FIRE. THE ONE THAT WE ARE CONCERNED WITH IS SUBSECTION SEVEN WHICH PROVIDES THAT ALL OR PART OF A PARTICULAR PROJECT CAN BE EXEMPT IF A THE PROJECT IS TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND B BE EXEMPT DEVELOPMENT'S PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF SYSTEM IMPACT IMPROVEMENTS IS FUNDED THROUGH A REVENUE OTHER THAN DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES SO PURSUANT TO THAT BELIEVE PRIOR COUNSEL 2015 ENACTED THE SUBJECT ORDINANCE AND THAT'S IT. CHAPTER TWO SECTION 33 OF OUR GENERAL CODE OF ORDINANCES WHICH SETS OUR OUR PROGRAM AS TO IMPACT REGARDING SO SECTION 8233 IS THE IMPOSITION CALCULATION AND COLLECTION THOSE FEES RUNS THROUGH OUR METHODOLOGY AND SPECIFICALLY PROVIDES FOR SUBSECTION SEE THIS IS B THREE AND THE SUBPARTS UNDERNEATH IT PROVIDES THAT THE COUNTY OR PARTICIPATING MUNICIPALITY IN APPROPRIATE CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL DEDUCT FROM THE TOTAL IMPACT THE AMOUNT THERE ARE THREE SECTIONS THERE A, B AND C THE ONE THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING TODAY IS C A DISCOUNT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS ON THE BELOW TABLE FOR SINGLE FAMILY UNITS FOR ALL TYPES OF HOUSING UNITS IT TIES IT TO AMI LEVELS AND THEN YOU GET TO SUBSECTION FIVE UNDERNEATH WHICH STATES THAT DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES MAY BE SUBSIDIZED AS LONG AS FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN. THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND PURSUANT TO THE CRITERIA THAT ESTABLISHED TABLE UNDER SUBSECTION C ABOVE SO THAT IS THE THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF HOW WE ARRIVE AT OUR ABILITY SUBSIDIZE IMPACT FEES FOR QUALIFYING AFFORDABLE PROJECTS. I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE WORDING OF THE ORDINANCE I'M TALKING ABOUT A DISCOUNT AND I WANT CLEAR AND I THINK THE ACE IN YOUR BACK MATERIALS MAKE CLEAR IT'S NOT A DISCOUNT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL PAY OR IT IS THE COUNTY CHOOSING TO SUBSIDIZE THE IMPACT FEES BY PAYING IT FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL BY INDIVIDUAL PAY OR INTO THE IMPACT FEES FROM A ANOTHER FUND AND FUNDING THAT ALTERNATE FUND IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE TODAY SO I HOPE THAT HELPS GET EVERYONE'S HEAD AROUND LEGALITY ISSUES. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS I'M HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN THEM NOT REDUCING THE FEE. YOU'RE JUST FINDING FUNDING FOR IT TO ALLEVIATE THE PROPERTY OWNER. YES. YES SIR.

YES SIR. THIS MOTION SURROUNDS THE FACT THAT THESE ARE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IS THERE ANY AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THAT EXISTS NOW THAT WE CAN HANG OUR HAT ON THIS. SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VER THE VERBIAGE DEVELOPMENT IF YOU'LL TAKE THAT SCROLL DOWN IT MAY BE THE ONE THAT SAYS DEFINITION IF IT'S A SEPARATE BACK UP. YEAH OKAY. AND THIS IS AN NUANCE CAN YOU BLOW THAT UP I'M SORRY I'M GETTING OLD. MY SITE'S NOT WORKING.

OKAY SO AS FAR AS IMPACT FEES THE TERM DEVELOPMENT MEANS CONSTRUCTION OR OF A NEW BUILDING OR STRUCTURE OR A CHANGE IN USE OF BUILDING OR STRUCTURE ANY OF WHICH CREATES ADDITIONAL DEMAND AND NEED FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES A BUILDING OR STRUCTURE SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO MODULAR BUILDINGS MANUFACTURED. THE TERM DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT INCLUDE ALTERATIONS MADE TO EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. SO WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENTS AS IT RELATES TO IMPACT FEES ANY PUT ON THE SITE THAT INCREASES

[00:35:05]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO WHAT YOU HAVE HERE IS REPEAT WITHIN OUR ORDINANCE OF WHAT DILLON JUST DESCRIBED IN STATE LAW STATE LAW SAYS YOU CAN PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION BUT YOU CAN'T GIVE IT AWAY. YOU HAVE TO IT ON BEHALF. SO THE TWO ORDINANCES THAT I COVERED AT THE PREVIOUS MEETING AND THIS WAS REFERRED BACK FOR DISCUSSION AND REFINEMENT THAT'S WE'RE HERE WITH IT TODAY. WHAT WE HAVE IS THIS IS THE PROGRAM IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS IS THIS IS ALL VERBIAGE THE STAFF HAD TO GO ON THAT MIRRORS THAT STATE LAW. SO WE'LL START WITH THE BOTTOM AND THEN GO BACK TO THE TOP.

ITEM FIVE SAYS DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES MAY BE SUBSIDIZED LONG AS FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE BEAUFORT COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND. THAT FUND WAS CREATED IN 2015 16. SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY IT DROPPED OFF THE RADAR AS PART OF OUR BUDGET CYCLE AND IT DID NOT GET FUNDED. SO THE SUBSIDY OR THE DISCOUNT THAT BE PROVIDED TO THE END USER BECAUSE THERE'S NO MONEY IN THAT ACCOUNT STAFF CAN'T PROCESS THOSE APPLICATIONS. SO WHAT WE BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE COUNCIL MEETING IS A REQUEST TO FUND THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR WITH SOME OF COUNCIL'S CONTINGENCY I BELIEVE WE ASKED FOR $30,000 WHATEVER THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT AS I PREVIOUSLY EXPLAINED YOU'RE LOOKING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN AND $5,000 PER HOME DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE HOME WHETHER IT'S LOCATED NORTH OR SOUTH. SO ONCE WE FUND THAT COUNTY COUNCIL CAN ACTUALLY PROVIDE 100% IS LONG AS THAT SECONDARY PART OF THE ITEM FIVE IS MET WHERE YOU HAVE 80% IT'S BETWEEN 80 AND 100 BUT IT HAS TO MEET 35% OF THE GROSS INCOME THAT ONE WE WOULD COME BACK TO COUNTY COUNCIL FOUR BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A CRITERIA FOR THAT PRESCRIPTIVE IN THE CODE AND WE DON'T DO THAT RIGHT NOW WHAT WE DO IS UNDER THE TOP SECTION SEE A DISCOUNT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS BASED ON THE TABLE BELOW FOR SINGLE FAMILY UNITS AND FOR ALL OF THEIR HOUSING TYPES. AM I WHICH I GAVE YOU THE AM I NUMBERS I'M HAPPY TO REPEAT THEM. I HAVE THEM TODAY UNDER 60% AM I QUALIFIES FOR 100% SUBSIDY OR DISCOUNT IF YES SIR. MM HMM. OKAY 100% IF IT'S PAID SOMEBODY ELSE PAID ON BEHALF THAT IS CORRECT. SO FROM THE END USERS PERSPECTIVE I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE WORD DISCOUNT CAME FROM BUT IT WAS WRITTEN WITH THE IDEA OF GIVING THEM YEAH THIS IS FROM THE END USERS POINT OF VIEW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT'S THEIR DISCOUNT BUT FOR US IT'S OUR SUBSIDY BECAUSE THE STATE REQUIRES IT TO PAY IT SO IT'S FOR THE END USER IT IS THEIR GETTING IT DISCOUNTED US WE'RE PAYING IT ON BEHALF WHICH WOULD BE THE SUBSIDY IF THAT MAKES SENSE. WELL IF IT'S 60% IF THEY MAKE 60% OR UNDER 60% IT'S 100%.

IF THEY'RE BETWEEN 60 AND 80% AMI AND YOU SAY IT'S 100% WE PAY 100% OF THE FEE ON THEIR BEHALF. OKAY. GOT IT.

AND THAT'S A LOT OF IT'S A LOT OF PERCENTAGES THERE. THE 60 TO 80% AM I WE PAY 60% OF THE FEE ON THEIR BEHALF AND IF THEY OVER 80% ON THE TOP PIECE IT'S ZERO.

SO IF COUNTY COUNCIL WANTED TO DO 100 THAT SECOND BIT UNDER FIVE SAYS UP TO 100% FOR HOUSING THAT A PERSON OR FAMILY 80% OR LESS PROVIDED THAT THEY'RE NOT SPENDING MORE THAN 35% OF THEIR GROSS INCOME THAT GETS WAY MORE COMPLICATED BECAUSE WE HAVE TO TRACK THEIR INCOME. WE DON'T HAVE A PROGRAM WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL FOR THAT LET'S DO THIS HERE. LET'S STICK WITH WHAT'S ON THE BOOKS AT THIS TIME THEY'VE JUST BEEN USING AND THEN I THINK IF WE WANT TO MODIFY THAT WE CAN DO SO DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS

[00:40:01]

THAT'S A PRETTY TALL ORDER TO GET TO THAT ONE. THE FIRST ONE IS EASY.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE PROGRAM APPLICATION. WE HAVE A MECHANISM TO TO TRACK THAT. WE JUST NEED FUNDING IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND TO DO WHICH WE DON'T HAVE THE. RIGHT. I THINK WE IF WE IF WE WANT TO GO WITH THE FUTURE CHANGES TO THIS ORDINANCE INSTEAD OF I THINK DOING THE BUDGET PROCESS THAT CAN HAPPEN BUT I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY MOVE THIS ALONG FOR THE REMAINING OF THIS YEAR. YEAH. WITH THE RECOMMENDATION COMING FROM YOU. YEAH. ANY OTHER QUESTION YES.

SO MY QUESTION BUT A COMMENT THIS IS WE THE COUNCIL HAVE TO PAY THE MONEY FROM SOME SOURCE.

YES SIR THERE IS LEGISLATION AND THAT IS GOING TO BE PROPOSED BY THE STATE SUPPORTED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES TO ALLOW A COUNTY TO WAIVE OR REDUCE THOSE FEES WITHOUT HAVING PAY THEM. SO THAT MAY BE DOWN THE ROAD YES. YOU KNOW THAT ISN'T RIGHT NOW. RIGHT.

RIGHT. YEAH. 80 YES WAS HAVING THEY GO AHEAD SO I DON'T LAST ONE YEAR WE'RE BASICALLY AT USING AD VALOREM TAXES TO PUT INTO THE HOUSING TRUST FUND TO COME INDEPENDENTLY BE OF AN INDIVIDUAL I'M GOING TO REPEAT WE FORCE PEOPLE TO PAY MORE IN TAXES WE YOU DON'T ASK THEM CAN I GIVE IT AWAY TO NONPROFITS PERSON IF YOU WANT TO DO THIS THE APPROPRIATE TO DO IT IN MY ESTIMATION IS TO USE A TAX FUNDS WHICH ARE ALLOWED TO DESIGNATE I THINK TILL 2030 PINCKNEY COULD LOOK AT THAT PUT IT WITH THE HOUSING TRUST AND YOU'RE NOT USING AD VALOREM TAXES SO I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS THIS WOULDN'T BE WITH THE HOUSING TRUST FUND NECESSARILY RESOLUTION THE THING IN FRONT OF YOU SAYS THE ORDINANCE AS IT GOES TO THE HOUSING TRUST FUND.

OH NO, MA'AM. YOU WANT ME TO ADDRESS THAT? SO THE HOUSING TRUST FUND CAN YOU PULL THE ORDINANCE BACK SECTION FIVE THIS IS AN INTERNAL BEAUFORT COUNTY ACCOUNT. IT IS A. WHAT DO YOU CALL THEM? YEAH, SURE. GO AHEAD. SO WHAT CHUCK IS REFERRING TO IS BACK IN 2015 YOU GUYS HAD A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND THAT YOU HAD CREATED THAT WAS FOR WHAT IS NAME OF THE DISCOUNT DISCOUNT PROGRAM IMPACT FEES. SO SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINES AND I CAN DATE TO FISCAL YEAR 2022 DID THIS OUT OF THE BUDGET PROCESS YOU NO LONGER RECEIVED FUNDING I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE FUNDING SOURCE WAS PRIOR TO BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY I WASN'T HERE FOR THAT BUT SINCE THEN AND SUBSEQUENTLY A CHART OF ACCOUNTS CONVERSION THE FUND NO LONGER EXISTS. IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO THIS WE WOULD HAVE TO CREATE RECREATE THE FUND AND THEN FUND BY WHATEVER YOU DECIDE WHETHER IT BE ABLE OR IT'D BE INTERNAL YOU CORRECT THE WORKFORCE HOUSING THAT IS IN ATTACKED IS FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING WHICH WE KNOW AND TABS RIGHT WE CAN BUDGET THAT THROUGH 2030 BASED ON STATE CODE SO I'D JUST LIKE TO MENTION TO GIVE THE 20:25 A.M. FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR IN BEAUFORT COUNTY 80% THIS IS 80% IS $88,100 FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR IS CONSIDERED 80% OF AM I THAT'S RIGHT NOW SO I MEAN NOT 2026 BUT 2025 SO THAT GIVES I JUST WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT FACT SO THAT PEOPLE GET AN IDEA A FAMILY OF FOUR MAKING 88,100 GROSS INCOME IS CONSIDERED EIGHT AT 80% SO THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR SIX YEAH. SO YOU WHEN YOU GET INTO AM I THE IT WOULD BE WAGE OVER THE AGE OF 15 RIGHT RIGHT JUST SO THAT WOULD BE FOR WAGE EARNERS A FAMILY OF FOUR YEAH.

YES SO IT'S EVEN THOUGH THERE COULD BE SIX PEOPLE IN THE FAMILY IF THERE'S THREE WAGE EARNERS AND WE HAVE TO GET THEIR TAX RETURNS TO VERIFY THAT IT WOULD BE UNDER THE COLUMN OF THREE NOT SIX. THEY HAVE TO BE A WAGE EARNER TO COUNT AS A MEMBER OF THE

[00:45:03]

SO IF YOU ALL WANT TO CONSIDER IT FOR FUTURE BUT THE ME THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN GOING TO YOUR CONTINGENCY FUND RIGHT NOW AND AGAIN I'M A DOING AND I I REALLY DON'T LIKE DOING A USING OUR FUND RIGHT NOW OKAY ANY ANYMORE YES WELL IN ORDER TO FUND THIS IS IT A BUDGET AMENDMENT SO ORIGINALLY THIS ITEM FIRST CAME UP IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT COUNCIL USE THE CONTINGENCY LINE ITEM TO FINISH OUT THE REST OF THE REMAINDER OF THIS FISCAL YEAR AND THEN YOU PLAN ACCORDINGLY IN THE UPCOMING YEAR. BUT FROM THE LAST MEETING SOME OF THOSE FUNDS ARE BEING SPOKEN FOR REGARDING WATER SEARCH RESCUE.

SO I JUST WANT YOU TO KEEP THAT IN MIND BECAUSE NOW YOU'RE DEPLETING YOUR CONTINGENCY LINE ITEM IF YOU WERE TO FUND BOTH ITEMS SOME EXPENSE DOES BUT YOU'RE ALSO SAYING IT SHOULD IN A SPECIAL REVENUE FOR ACT IF WE WERE YOU'RE AMENDING THE BUDGET TO CREATE A SPECIAL RIGHT IF WE WERE TO GO BACK AND REACTIVATE THAT FUND WE WOULD HAVE TO AMEND THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS CORRECT? YOU GUYS HAVE ONE AND HE HAS ONE LINE ITEM.

YES. I MEAN THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION AT THIS TIME TO PROCEED TO ALLOW FOR THE FUNDS EITHER BE FOUND IN BUDGET LIKE THE RESCUE GROUP OR THROUGH USING THE CONTINGENCY FUND OF COUNCIL YOU KNOW, I MEAN DONE THAT WAY THE COUNCIL THERE ARE NOT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE TO APPROVE FUNDING. IT'S GOT TO GO TO COUNCIL NO MATTER WHAT THE CLEAR DIRECTION IS GOING TO BE. WE HAVE TO AMEND THE BUDGET BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND. YOU CAN'T JUST CREATE SOMETHING IT'S GOT TO BE DONE THE RIGHT WAY THE MOTIONS MOVE THE COUNCIL FOR ACTION THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO TAKE ACTION MEAN WE CAN RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THAT WE HAVE AN AMENDED BUDGET TO CREATE A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF X NUMBER OF DOLLARS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR. WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT AND THE FULL COUNCIL CAN DISCUSS THAT AND IF SIX PEOPLE DECIDE THAT'S THE WAY WE WILL GO BE ACQUIRING A PINKY WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM. CORRECT. AND ALSO YOU DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUDGET PROCESS. YOU CAN REESTABLISH FUND EFFECTIVE JULY ONE. SO THAT'S ANOTHER OPTION THAT YOU HAVE AS DOING IT IN THE MORE IMMEDIATE SENSE RIGHT. AND THEN THE OVERALL BUDGET OF COURSE YOU KNOW THAT TAKES IT'S GOT TO GO TO FINANCE READINGS DON'T I KNOW THAT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED THREE READINGS. YES SIR YES WE READING ABOUT YOUR AMENDMENT ORDINANCE REQUIRE THREE READINGS THAT YOUR MOTION IS PERSONAL I'LL BE GLAD TO MAKE THAT MOTION I'LL BE HAPPY TO SAY OKAY THERE'S BEEN PROBABLY MOTION IN SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT ? ARE THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THIS MOTION MOVING FORWARD? WOULD YOU PLEASE RESTATING THE MOTION THE MOTION STATED WILL BE THAT WE SEND TO COUNCIL TO CREATE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND IN THE OF X NUMBER OF DOLLARS AND WE SHOULD DISCUSS THAT BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE IT BLANK SO GOT TO BE A DOLLAR FIGURE TO AMEND THIS YEAR'S BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT $30,000 30,000 WAS WHAT STAFF RECOMMENDED SO YES. OKAY.

AND YOU SECONDED? YES SIR. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT NOW YOU UNDERSTAND TAB I HOPE THAT'S OKAY. OKAY JUST AS LONG AS YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING MOTIONED OF ANY OTHER OBJECTION TO THIS MOTION LET'S DO OKAY DO THE ROLL CALL. THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER PASSMAN WILL SAY YES. COUNCILMEMBER YES COUNCILMEMBER DAWSON YES.

COUNCILMEMBER GLOVER OH YES CHAIR HOWARD YES. COUNCILMEMBER RIGHT NO.

COUNCILMEMBER TABACHNICK NO MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.

THANK THANK YOU. STAFF OKAY AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO STEP DOWN AS CHAIR AND

[00:50:05]

[9.a. Approval to fund due diligence and negotiate terms of acquisitions for the following proposed Green Space Program applications: Pine Grove Plantation Tracts, Harper Tracts, Palmetto Bluff-Pioneer Land & Timber Tracts, Broad Creek Marina Tract (FISCAL IMPACT: Green Space Program Fund Account #4706 (fund balance as of January 9, 2026 - $$95,862,062): 1. 2. Pine Grove Plantation Tracts - $25,000 Harper Tracts - $25,000 3. 4. Palmetto Bluff – Pioneer Land & Timber Tracts - $50,000 Broad Creek Marina Tract - $25,000) - Mr. Mike McShane, Chair of Green Space Advisory Committee & Mr. Mark Davis, Green Space Program Manager (15 minutes) ]

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO NUMBER NINE WHICH IS APPROVAL FUND, DUE DILIGENCE AND NEGOTIATE TERMS OF ACQUISITIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING GREEN SPACE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS THE PINE GROVE PLANTATION TRACKS, THE HARPER TRACKS, THE PALMETTO BLUFF PIONEER AND TIMBER TRACKS THE BROAD KEY BROAD CREEK MARINA TRACT FISCAL IMPACT AND THE GREEN SPACE PROGRAM FUND.

THE PINE GROVE PLANTATION IS $25,000. HARPER TRACKED 25,000 PALMETTO BLUFF PIONEER LAND AND TIMBER TRACKS 15,000 BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE OF THE ACREAGE AND THE BROAD CREEK MARINA TRACT 25,000 AND WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE WITH US MIKE MCSHANE WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GREEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MR. MIKE DAVIS WHO WILL BE BRIEFING US ON THE MATTERS THAT I'VE JUST ENUMERATED. I COMMEND THE MOTION I'LL SECOND THE MOTION. GOOD EVENING, MR. MCSHANE. THIS EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, IT'S NICE TO BE IN FRONT OF THE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE AGAIN.

FOR THE RECORD, I AM MY MCSHANE RESIDENT IN CHARLESTON COUNTY HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS YOUR GREEN SPACE ADVISORY BOARD CHAIRMAN BEFORE YOU TODAY.

MR. CHAIRMAN, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE EACH ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALLY OR TAKE THEM COLLECTIVELY? I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD PROBABLY JUST BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THEM AND WE'LL GO THROUGH ALL YES, SIR. AND THEN VOTE RATHER THAN ONE AT A TIME. AND I BELIEVE THE THE CAUCUS MAPS THAT CAN BE SHOW SOMEONE ASKS AT SOME MR. SHADE TO WITHDRAW ONE FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION AND DISCUSSION WHICH I DON'T ANTICIPATE. YES SIR I'LL START MR. CHAIRMAN, WITH THE PLEASURE OF WITH THE PINE GROVE PLANTATION TRACK THIS ON SAINT HELENA ISLAND WHICH IS IN THE GEOGRAPHIC AS YOU RECALL UNDER YOUR ORDINANCE YOU DIVIDED THE COUNTY UP INTO FOUR REGIONS.

THIS IS IN THE EASTERN REGION ON SAINT HELENA ISLAND AND THE MAP YOU'LL SEE IS A 29 PLUS OR MINUS ACRE TRACK. IT'S RELEVANT THAT THE SECOND TRACK TO TALK ABOUT IS ADJACENT TO THE SO IT'S COMING UP AS TWO DIFFERENT TRANSACTIONS BUT I RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL AND TO THE COMMITTEE TO THINK OF THIS AS BOTH TRACKS IN TERMS OF THE IMPACT AND THE DUE DILIGENCE WOULD REALLY GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TWO THINGS FOR THE COUNTY TO GIVE CONSIDERATION OH EXCUSE ME HOW THIS MIGHT FIT INTO THERE BECAUSE THIS IS A FEASIBLE ACQUISITION APPLICATION HOW THIS MIGHT FIT INTO THEIR OPERATIONS INCLUDING WHAT IS WHAT WOULD BE THE PUBLIC BENEFIT ACCESS TO WATER. AND THERE'S ALSO A CEMETERY THERE THAT'S CLOSE BY THAT HAS GOT A LOT OF COMMUNITY INTEREST IN PRESERVING THE ACCESS TO THAT AND. SO PART OF THAT DUE DILIGENCE WOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT THAT WOULD PLAY INTO ASSURING THAT THEY WOULD STILL THAT ACCESS THERE AND SO THE RECOMMENDATION FROM YOUR GREENSPACE COMMITTEE IS TO JUST MOVE FORWARD ON THE DUE DILIGENCE, MR. CHAIRMAN.

AND AS YOU INDICATED WAS A REQUEST IN THE MORE $25,000. YOUR PLEASURE SIR I'D LIKE TO JUST CONTINUE. OKAY. AND THEN AS I DESCRIBE THE TRACK IS THE TRACK THAT IS SOME NEXT TO CONTIGUOUS TO THIS AND SO THAT WOULD HAVE THE APPLICATION IN TERMS OF THE DUE DILIGENCE PROSPECTS ON THE NEXT TRACK IS REFERRED POPULARLY AS THE PALMETTO BLUFF TRACK. I WOULD ACTUALLY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE GET AWAY FROM THE NAME PALMETTO BLUFF BECAUSE IT'S ACTUALLY THE PIONEER LAND IN TIMBER AND IT'S NOT JUST A NUANCE IT'S ACTUALLY THE LOOK AT THE VISION OF CREATING THIS IS THE NEW RIVER TRACK BECAUSE IT HAS 13 MILES I BELIEVE 13 MILES, CORRECT.

WELL, THE NEW RIVER THERE THERE'S THOUSAND ACRES. WELL, IT'S ALSO CONTIGUOUS YOUR 800 ACRES THAT THE COUNTY CURRENTLY OWNS. THE GREENSPACE COMMITTEE'S THOUGHT ON THIS WOULD BE THE THE ACTUAL ABILITY TO COMBINE THE TWO FROM A MANAGEMENT STANDPOINT BE REAL CLEAR I'M TALKING ABOUT A MANAGEMENT STANDPOINT NOT AN OWNERSHIP THAT THIS WOULD BE ULTIMATELY OWNED BY THE STATE FORESTRY WHICH HAS EXPRESSED A REAL SINCERE INTEREST AND HIGH PRIORITY ON ON THIS TRACK BECAUSE IT WOULD THEN GIVE SORT OF A CONNECTIVITY OF AN ECOSYSTEM FROM NEW RIVER THROUGH JASPER COUNTY'S CHELSEA TRACK WHICH YOU'RE PARTICIPATING IN TO THE BROOKFIELD TRACK THAT YOU

[00:55:01]

WELL SO WE'RE ASKING FOR A 50,000 OR UP TO $50,000 TO DO THE DUE DILIGENCE THAT INCLUDES SOME UNDERSTANDING OF THE HABITAT REALLY GET INTO NOT JUST THE APPRAISAL ASPECT BUT HOW WE MIGHT THEN ACCESS FINANCIAL ACUMEN FOR THIS PROJECT.

MR. CHAIRMAN. OUR QUESTION THIS WAY FOR MR. SHAVER BLUFF I MEAN HOW MUCH ARE WE TALKING ABOUT 5000 ACRES A LOT. JUST GIVE ME A BALLPARK OF GREEN SPACE MONEY. WELL WITH YOUR PERMISSION TO ANSWER THE TWO METRICS.

GO AHEAD. WHAT DO I THINK THE OVERALL VALUE OF THE PROPERTY IS PROBABLY THE NEGOTIATE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 40 TO $42 MILLION MORE TO AROUND FOR A MOMENT JUST LOOK AT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY JUST TO AFFIRM THAT'S WHAT I THINK.

SO I THINK THAT'S A REASONABLE VALUE FOR WHAT THIS TRUCK WILL COST IN TERMS OF THE WHAT THE PARTICIPATION OF THE GREENSPACE WOULD BE OBVIOUSLY SOMEWHAT MUCH LESS THAN THAT AND IT MAY VERY WELL BE OPPORTUNITY FOR GREENSPACE TO DO LIKE YOU DID ON CHELSEA WHERE YOU CREATE A GRANT THAT COULD BE REIMBURSED WHEN FEDERAL COME IN ON THAT TO DO THAT JOB AND WE COULD GET BETTER MONEY OR OH I DO I FEEL STRONGLY THE FEDERAL MONIES THERE'S FEDERAL MONEY TO COME FROM A DIFFERENT NUMBER OF SOURCES. I THINK THE USDA HAS SOME PROGRAMS THAT ARE VERY FOCUSED ON FORESTRY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR VERY FOCUSED ON WETLANDS AND YOU QUALIFY AS A COASTAL COUNTY ON A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT WOULD BE WOULD BE USEFUL THERE AND THEN THE STATE WOULD HAVE SOME INTEREST IN THIS AND SENATOR DAVIS WHICH IS FORTUNATE THAT HE'S NOT ONLY SERVES IN THE DELEGATION HERE AND REPRESENTS THE DELEGATION IN IN GREEN SPACE IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUDGETARY PROCESS NOW IN THE SENATE AND HE CHAIRS THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON SENATE FINANCE.

I'M NOT MAKING A PUBLIC FOR SENATOR DAVIS, BUT I KNOW THAT THIS IS A PROPERTY THAT HE'S EXPRESSED GREAT INTEREST IN SEEING THE STATE ACQUIRE AND WE OWN AND ADJACENT TO THIS JUST YES MA'AM AND ON THAT COULD YOU GO BACK TO THE MAP ABOUT ABOUT SHERMAN? WILL YOU JUST CONFIRM WHEN YOU SEE THIS MAP THAT MARK CAN YOU PUT A MARKER ON 800 ACRES THE IF YOU MIGHT JUST TAKE YOUR MOUSE CAN YOU SEE HIS ACTION RIGHT THERE THAT LIGHT GREEN SPACE ABOVE THE YELLOW BUT I CAN'T IN ON ZOOM BUT I SEEN ON MY MAP I CALLED UP I SEE WHERE NEW RIVERSIDE ROAD IS EMPTY THAT MAY BE CORRECT I'M SORRY NEW RIVERSIDE IS JUST SOUTH OF NEW RIVERSIDE DEVELOPMENT. I'M NOT SURE SHE CAN SEE THE MAP.

OH SHE'S CAN SEE YOU. OH, I'M SORRY. YEAH.

OKAY, SO WE'LL ON A LITTLE PIECE OF SOMETHING AND THIS WOULD BE ADJACENT TO IT SO IS IT POSSIBLE THE FOREST OR YOU COULD TAKE THE WHOLE BALL OF WAX? WELL, MY RECOMMENDATION MADAM CHAIRMAN WOULD BE FOR TO LEAVE THE OWNERSHIP AS IT IS CURRENTLY BECAUSE. I THINK THAT 800 ACRES WAS PROBABLY TIED TO A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE ON THE COUNTY. I NEED TO ASK THE ADMINISTRATOR JUST TO RULE IN COMMITTEE AND WITH THE ATTORNEY TO CONFIRM THAT.

BUT FROM A MANAGEMENT STANDPOINT FORESTRY COULD AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY ON HOW TO MANAGE THAT SO THAT IT DOESN'T BECOME OPERATIONAL EXPENSE ON YOUR END THAT IT JUST BECOMES NOW 5800 ACRE RECREATIONAL PORT THIS MANAGED THE FORESTRY COMMISSION'S PUTTING YOU IN A CORRECT AND THAT'S NOT UNUSUAL THAT THAT'S SEEN THAT ACROSS THE STATE AND SEVERAL DIFFERENT ELEMENTS SO YOU READ SOMETHING THAT FACTORY ARE WOULD WE2 MILLION WAITING FOR FORESTRY IN THE STATE AND ALL THESE OTHER ENTITIES TO KICK IN WE ONLY HAVE 75 MILLION LEFT THIS WAY THAT WOULD BE I WOULD PREFER NOT TO COME BACK AND ASK FOR

[01:00:04]

THIS WAS THIS IS MY TERMINOLOGY AND I'LL GO CAUGHT RECREATIONAL FACILITY THAT CLEAN ALL THAT TO GET RID OF ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAS THERE AND REALLY TURN IT INTO IT'S ONE OF THE LAST AREAS IN THAT PART OF THE TOWN OF HILTON HEARD ON ISLAND THAT THEY MIGHT PROVIDE SOME WATER ACCESS TO THAT HAS GOOD CLEAN ROAD ACCESS TO IT IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY INITIALLY CAME IN LIKE THEY DID EARLY ON IN MANY OF THEIR PROJECTS ASKING FOR 100%.

IS A 5050 DEAL HERE BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE TOWN. OKAY.

AND WE'RE ASKING FOR THE DUE DILIGENCE JUST TO COMPLETE THAT WORK.

THEN THEY COME BACK OBVIOUSLY WITH A FULL EITHER YAY OR NAY ON THAT.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND CERTAINLY TO MOVE THIS FORWARD TO COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION FUNDING THE DUE DILIGENCE PACKAGE AND THE NEGOTIATOR OF ACQUISITIONS. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION THERE ANY OBJECTIONS TO MOVING US FORWARD TO FULL COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION HERE IT IS.

THIS IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ALL HAVE YOUR WELL EVERYTHING I SAID AND I WILL ASK IF THERE ARE OBJECTIONS TO FUNDING THIS RIGHT HERE NONE MATTER IS PROOF.

[9.b. A Resolution authorizing the County Administrator to execute the documents necessary and to provide funds to contribute to the procurement by the applicant, the Open Land Trust, for a conservation easement on property located in the Town of Hilton Head Island known as the Simmons Tracts (pin# R510 010 000 0008 0000, R510 010 000 0647 0000), not to exceed ($1,545,000). (FISCAL IMPACT: Up to $1,545,000 from the Green Space Program Fund Account #4706-10-0000-54400. Fund account balance as of January 9, 2026 - $95,862,062) - Mr. Mike McShane, Chair of the Green Space Advisory Committee ]

[01:05:06]

THE DISCUSSION WE'VE HAD OFTEN ABOUT THE EQUITABLE PORTION OF DISTRIBUTION OF GREENSPACE FUNDS BUT WE THINK IN THIS CASE IT CERTAINLY MERITS HAVING TO DO THE COUNTY INVEST THIS.

BUT I WOULD ALSO SUGGEST THAT WE SHOULD SEE THAT THE TOWN FULFILLS THEREIN AND I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE THE OWNER OF MAYBE STAFF KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE ON THIS AND THEY'RE GOING TO KIND OF THEY'RE WAITING TO HEAR THAT THE COUNCIL WILL THEN TAKE THIS TO THE COMMITTEE IT WILL TAKE THIS TO COUNCIL AND THEN I THINK THE TOWN WILL THEN FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATION AND MOTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO TAKE THAT ACTION. I DO HAVE ONE BUT WE NEED A MOTION IN SECTION TO THE MOTION A SECOND. OKAY I HAVE A FIRST AND SECOND. YOU GET THAT? YES. OKAY. GO AHEAD TOM.

I HAVE A QUESTION. MR. CHAIRMAN, THE MINUTE WE HAVE SOMEONE ON THE FLOOR GO AHEAD. LET HER GO THEN I'LL GO AHEAD. IS IT MY TURN? YEAH, BUT IT WILL BE. GO AHEAD, TOM. GO AHEAD.

I KNOW THAT SPANISH VERY WELL. I CAN'T HEAR I'M UP AGAINST THIS BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY.

HOW IS IT GOING TO LOOK? IT'S A IT'S A CONSERVATION EASEMENT SO IT'LL STILL BE PRIVATELY HELD. SO IT'S IT'S NOT A PUBLIC PORT. IT'S GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC BENEFIT OF CERTAIN THOSE THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OCCUR OF HIGH DENSITY ON THAT ON THEIR TRACK SO THE PUBLIC I CONTINUE TO UNDERSCORE THAT THE VALUE OF THERE'S PUBLIC ACCESS AND PUBLIC BENEFIT SO BROAD DISCUSSION FOR JUST A MOMENT IF I MAY, MR. CHAIRMAN. PUBLIC ACCESS IS ALWAYS THE MOST EXPENSIVE PROCESS TO GO THROUGH BECAUSE IT'S A THE ACQUISITION OF THE FULL VALUE OF THE PROPERTY BALANCE BALANCED WITH CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON PRIVATELY HELD MEANS THAT YOU STILL HAVE THE PUBLIC YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE PUBLIC ACCESS BUT YOU GET PUBLIC BENEFIT OF THAT PROPERTY A STATE ON THE TAX ROLL BEING BE IN THE OPERATING DOLLARS OF MAINTENANCE ON THAT PROPERTY IS STILL WITHIN THE PRIVATE ENTITY THAT OWNS IT BUT YOU HAVE CERTAINTY THAT YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO HAVE TO SERVE MORE THAN WHAT THE EASEMENT ALLOWS IN A CASE LIKE ON HILTON HEAD THIS THIS PROPERTY COULD EASILY BE TURNED INTO HIGH NUMBER OF UNITS TO GO ON THAT IN SO I THINK THAT THERE'S GREAT PUBLIC BENEFIT AND THE FACT THAT THE TOWN RECOGNIZES THE WILLINGNESS TO PUT 50% OF THE VALUE THIS I THINK SPEAKS VERY HIGHLY TO THE INTERESTS OF THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OWNERS TO SEE THAT SUCCEED AND THAT'S NOT OF LAND . THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PUBLIC INTEREST IT PRESERVING IT SO EXCITING. I APPRECIATE THAT.

I REALLY DO I IS IT MY TURN MR. MCFARLAND? I CAN'T HEAR YOU THROUGH YOUR MONEY. YES, IT IS YOUR TURN NOW. OKAY, SO THERE'S A CONNECTION I'M LOOKING AT PAGE 17 IN THE PACKET AND IF MS.. BROCK COULD PULL THAT UP FOR ALL OF YOU AND YOU ALLUDED TO THIS BEFORE WE HAVE FOUR QUADRANTS I KNOW THAT I I WAS THERE WHEN ALL THIS WAS SET UP. HOWEVER IT IS A MISNOMER I REMEMBER THOSE TO BE 17 SO I LIVE IN THE THE WESTERN CLASSROOMS THEY HAD APPLIED GREGORY HAVE ONE FORTH TO EACH QUADRUPLING GREGORY NECK IS OUT OF COMPANY THEY HAVE APPLIED ALL OF CHELSEA TO THE WEST.

[01:10:01]

THANK YOU TO THE VICE CHAIRMAN. YOUR POINT HAS BEEN TAKEN THAT THE COMMITTEE WANTS TO WORK WITH STAFF. TWO THINGS THAT WE'LL HAVE TO WORK THROUGH.

ONE IN THE ORDINANCE THAT THE COUNCIL PASS SPECIFICALLY SAYS THAT OUT OF COUNTING EXPENDITURES IN THE WAY THEY MUST BE CONSIDERED AND THE ORDINANCE SAYS THE PROGRAM SHALL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE EQUITABLE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED EXPENDITURES BY IDENTIFYING THE GEOGRAPHICAL REGION IN THE PROCUREMENT BEST SERVES ONE COULD READ THAT THE CHELSEA BEST SERVES THE WESTERN REGION STAFF DID TAKE THE LATITUDE TO TAKE THE EARLIER GREGORY NECK PROJECT IN AND GIVE EQUITABLE CONSIDERATIONS TO ALL FOUR REGIONS.

BUT TO YOUR POINT I THINK WE CAN THE RIGHT TYPE OF DOCUMENT THAT SHOWS WHAT IS IN THE FOUR REGIONS PLUS WHAT IS OUT OF THE OUT OF THE COUNTY BECAUSE MAY NOT JUST BE JASPER COUNTY IT CERTAINLY COULD BE HAMPTON OR GOLDEN COUNTIES. AND SO THAT WE HAVE A VERY BALANCED APPROACH, IT MAY REQUIRE THAT THE COMMITTEE COME BACK TO COUNCIL AND ASK FOR A TWEAK ON THE ORDINANCE TO DO SO AND IDEAS THE STAFF AND THE STAFF ATTORNEY AND THE GREENSPACE JUST LOOK AT THAT UNDER THAT AND BRIAN, FOR YOUR INFORMATION HAVE THAT HERE IF YOU ARE JUST SAYING THAT TO YOU JUST LOOK AT UNDER THAT. BUT I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS TRYING SUGGEST THAT WE'RE HIDING IT UNDER THE WESTERN.

I THINK IT THAT WAS THE THOUGHT AT THE TIME THAT WAS THE MOST APPLICABLE PLACE TO PUT IT BASED ON THE CURRENT DESCRIPTION AND OF THE ORDINANCE.

THAT BEING SAID, MR. CHAIRMAN MAY ALSO THEN GIVE AN UPDATE BECAUSE I THINK IT'S RELEVANT TO THE DIFFERENT REGIONS WORK IN PROGRESS SO THAT IT MAKES THE APPEARANCE THAT MAYBE SOME REGIONS ARE NOT GETTING SOME WORK DONE IN THE WESTERN REGION.

WE KNOW THAT WE CLOSE WE KNOW WE CLOSED ON THE NORTH VISION PORK ON THE BROAD RIVER AND IN PROGRESS OF COURSE IS THE CHELSEA EASEMENT THAT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY AND OPEN LAND TRUST ARE WORKING WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FORESTRY COMMISSION JASPER COUNTY AS WELL. THAT APPRAISAL THE WAY AN UPDATED DUE DILIGENCE SHOULD BE DONE HERE IN THE NEXT MONTH BY THE NEXT TIME OR GREENSPACE COMMITTEE MEETS ON THAT IN PROGRESS AND IT'S JUST AS CRITICAL TO KNOW IS THE VICTORIA BLUFF FAMILY EASEMENT ACROSS FROM THE DEPARTMENT NATURAL RESOURCES OWN HERITAGE PRESERVE KNOWN AS VICTORIA BLUFF IT'S A 406 ACRE TRACK THERE. IT'S BEEN A HIGH PRIORITY IN A HIGH AREA OF WHICH INTENSE PRESSURE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND I APPLAUD THE DORIS FAMILY FOR EVEN TAKING THIS UNDER CONSIDERATION TO DO THAT. THE AND UP TO THE DUE DILIGENCE WHICH YOU GAVE US PERMISSION TO BE ABLE TO DO SHOULD BE ALSO AT THE SAME TIME SO WE MIGHT SEE A LOT OF ACTIVITY ALL OF A SUDDEN SHOW UP IN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS IN THE WESTERN REGION.

VICTORIA IS IN THE WESTERN YES WELL IN THE SOUTHERN REGION WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THE SYMONS FAMILY TRACK THE EASEMENT ON THE THE ON THE ISLAND HILTON AND THEN OF COURSE THE NEW RIVER MANAGED FOREST WHICH WE WILL BRING FORWARD ON THAT IN THE NORTHERN REGION JUST POINT OUT THERE'S A NUMBER OF PROJECTS GOING EASEMENTS IN AND AROUND WE'RE 17 AND 21 IN THE GARDENS QUARTER CONNECTION WHICH IS THE SORT OF THE GATEWAY INTERESTS COMING FROM THE NORTHERN PORT AND IN THE BEFORE AND ALONG THE CUBBY RIVER IN THE SPACE AND OF COURSE WE'LL NEVER FORGET IN DEFERENCE TO YOUR CHAIRWOMAN HALF MOON PROJECT THERE THEN IN THE EASTERN REGION WE'VE RECENTLY CLOSED THE COUNTY CLOSE WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD ON THE TRACT THAT WE TALKED ABOUT NEXT TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THERE ON LADY'S ISLAND WHICH IS NOT SHOWING UP SOME OF THOSE OR NOT ON DOCUMENT RIGHT THERE AND I HOPE THAT GIVES A LITTLE BROADER PICTURE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN TERMS OF GREENSPACE I THINK FURTHER.

[01:15:02]

PEOPLE STOP BY ANYTIME YOU LIKE. I I KNOW YOU HAVE A LONG RIDE HOME AND STAY SAFE AND. WE'LL SEE YOU AROUND CAMPUS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. WE'RE ON TO I'M GOING TO SHALL I REVERT THIS BACK TO YOU, SIR

[9.c. An ordinance amending the Zoning map for 5 acres (R300 016 000 0063 0000, R300 016 000 0064 0000, R300 016 000 0065 0000) from T3HN to T4VC (FISCAL IMPACT: ) - Rob Merchant, Planning and Zoning Department Director ]

OKAY. NEXT ITEM IS ITEM C AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP FOR FIVE ACRES FROM T3HN TO T FOR V C FISCAL IMPACT IS BLANK.

SO I'M ASSUMING THAT IS NONE. SO MR. MERCHANT OH THERE YOU ARE.

I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION A SECOND. OKAY. THANK YOU.

OR OPEN FOR THE DISCUSSION, PLEASE. BEFORE WE GO ON, MR. CHAIRMAN, I NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PROJECT THAT'S COMING BEFORE US.

I'M A MEMBER AND OFFICER OF THE CHURCH AND I WILL ABSTAIN FROM ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MATTER.

YOU'RE GOING TO RECUSE YOURSELF ? WOULD JUST ABSTAIN.

I'M GOING TO RECRUIT MYSELF. YES, SIR. IF YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT FOR THAT I GOT THE FORM RIGHT IT AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE THE ROOM.

DO I HAVE TO LEAVE? YES, YOU DO. YOU'RE RECUSED.

YEAH OH, THEY DIDN'T TELL ME THAT THE DEAL THANK IS OKAY. IT'S PROBABLY IN THE ROOM IT TOOK GROUP YEAH ALL RIGHT WELL AS YOU HAVE SAID MR. VICE CHAIRMAN, THIS IS A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO OUR ZONING OF FIVE ACRES LOCATED ON SAINT HELENA ISLAND.

SO THIS IS LOCATED ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DRIVE THE WEST SIDE AS GO SOUTH OF THE CORNERS COMMUNITY PENN CENTER IT IS THE SITE OF AN EXISTING CHURCH IN BETHESDA I'M I HAD IN MY MIND AND TO BOTH BETHESDA FELLOWSHIP YEAH IT IS OKAY SORRY ABOUT THAT THERE'S THE CHRISTIAN METHODIST CHURCH. YES SO THERE'S AN EXISTING CHURCH THE SITE THERE'S ACTUALLY TWO BUILDINGS THERE THERE IS A HISTORIC CHURCH AND THEN THERE'S THE NEWER STRUCTURE AND THIS PARTICULAR IS LOCATED JUST SOUTH OF THE CORNERS COMMUNITY.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT A ZONING MAP OF SAINT HELENA ISLAND, THE MAJORITY OF THE ISLAND IS 72 RURAL WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, LOW DENSITY RURAL ZONING BETTER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RECOGNIZES THAT THE CORNERS COMMUNITY IS THE CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC HUB OF THE ISLAND AND SO THIS HERE KIND OF GIVES YOU SOME SOME GUIDANCE THERE. SO THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS MAPPED THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITIES IS MAPPED T FOR VILLAGE CENTER AND THEN AS YOU MOVE AWAY FROM THAT CENTER IT STEPS BACK IN ZONING. THE CURRENT ZONING ON THE SITE OF THE CHURCH IS T THREE HAMLET NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH IS MORE OF A RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT BUT IF YOU GO IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF THE SITE HERE IN PROPERTIES THAT ARE ZONED T FOR VILLAGE CENTER IS THE MOST INTENSE ZONING DISTRICT SO IT ABUTS THE HIGHER ZONING IN THAT AREA AND ANOTHER DISTINCTION TO MAKE IS THAT IN OUR ZONING ORDINANCE WE MAKE A DISTINCTION CALL MEETING FACILITIES, HOUSES OF WORSHIP BETWEEN THOSE THAT ARE 15,000 SQUARE FOOT OR LESS AND THAT IS TYPICALLY A PERMITTED USE IN MOST DISTRICTS AND THEN MEETING FACILITIES OR HOUSES OF WORSHIP THAT ARE 15 TO OR GREATER THAN 15,000 SQUARE FEET AND SO THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT USES AND THERE'S A DISTINCTION MADE IN THE T FOR VILLAGE CENTER DISTRICT BOTH OF MEETING FACILITIES ARE ALLOWED BUT WHEN YOU GET INTO THE T3 HAMLET NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT ONLY 15,000 SQUARE FEET OR LESS AND THE REASON IS THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF RECOGNIZING THAT CHURCHES AND MAYBE MEETING ARE OFTEN IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS BUT THE SMALLER THEY ARE THE MORE COMPATIBLE THEY'RE GOING TO BE WITH SURROUNDING USES. SO CURRENTLY ZONING WOULD NOT

[01:20:07]

THERE'S A 15% TO TAKE IT EXPAND. BUT I THINK THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THEY HAVE PLANS IN THE FUTURE TO BEYOND THAT WHAT THEY'RE RECOMMENDING IS TO CHANGE THE ZONING OF THEIR PROPERTY FROM T3 HAMLET NEIGHBORHOOD TO T4 VILLAGE CENTER. IT WOULD EXTEND DISTRICT YOU KNOW FOR THIS FIVE ACRES FURTHER SOUTH BUT IT DOES ABUT THAT DISTRICT SO YOU KNOW, THERE'S LESS OF A CONCERN STAFF LEVEL ABOUT THE SPOT TURNING WHICH I THINK YOU KNOW HAS HEARD A LOT ABOUT RECENTLY.

OTHER THING THAT WE TOOK INTO ACCOUNT IS STAFF IS THAT THIS USE ON THIS SITE IS EXISTING SO WE'RE NOT ABOUT TAKING THE VILLAGE CENTER EXPANDING THE SIZE OF IT TO TAKE IN A VACANT PARCEL TO YOU KNOW, TO EXPAND THE I GUESS THE FOOTPRINT OF THAT DISTRICT.

I THINK WHAT THIS IS KIND OF RIGHT SIZING THE ZONING TO MATCH THE CURRENT USE OF THIS ON THE SITE WHICH IS THE CHURCH WITH THAT I HAVE OUR STAFF RECOMMENDATION BUT I WILL SAY THAT WE HAVE OUR TRANSPORTATION PLANNER HERE, KEVIN SULLIVAN AND IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT IT WE DID HAVE A TRAFFIC IMPACTS ANALYSIS WAS CONDUCTED FOR THIS WHICH IS A REQUIREMENT ANY TIME A ZONING AMENDMENT IS GOING TO TRIGGER YOU KNOW, OR HAS POTENTIAL TO TRIGGER MORE THAN 50 PEAK HOUR TRIPS THEN ALSO THE APPLICANT IS HERE WE HAVE I BELIEVE THE REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE APPLICANT HERE WHO CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT JUST THE SITE ITSELF. SO THREE QUESTIONS FOR YOU. I HAVE A QUESTION AS FAR AS THE TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS GOES. I KNOW IT WILL HAVE HIGH PEAKS IF IT'S A SCHOOL SCHOOL FACILITY MORNING AND EVENINGS AND ARE THERE ANY IF I I'VE BEEN THERE MANY TIMES BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO IMPACT ON RESIDENTS ACROSS THE STREET NECESSARILY IT'S ALREADY COMMERCIAL WAS THAT WAS THAT BECAUSE AND THE REASON I'M ASKING THIS IS THERE WAS A SCHOOL BUILT IN THE SHAREPOINT NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEY'RE STILL NOT OVER THE TRAFFIC IMPACT OF IT DURING PEAK TIMES BUT ADJACENT TO THIS PROPERTY AND ACROSS THE STREET DO YOU ANTICIPATE AN A NEGATIVE IMPACT PEOPLE WHO OWN HOMES IN THAT AREA BECAUSE YOU KNOW WORST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN IS THEY CAN'T GET OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAY BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC COMING PEOPLE IN I WOULD ASSUME MOST A LOT OF THE STUDENTS HERE WOULD BY CAR OH YES YES LIKE ROB SAID A DAY WAS DONE BECAUSE THEY TRIGGERED OUR ORDINANCE AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION WE LOOK AT THE VOLUMES ALONG THE STREET IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE IMPACT IS GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANT. SO THE VOLUMES ON THAT ROAD WAS VERY, VERY LOW.

ARE THEY CURRENTLY LOW? YEAH, WE SAW SOMEONE TURNING LEFT OUT OF THE NEW SCHOOL GOING BACK TOWARD HIGHWAY 21 WOULDN'T BE FIGHTING TRAFFIC. WELL I MEAN WHEN THERE'S A LIGHT AT 21 RIGHT NOW I MEAN THE SIGHT DISTANCE IS GOOD SO YOU CAN SEE FOR MILES THIS WAY YOU SEE FOR MILES THAT WAY. SO BECAUSE THIS LIGHT DISTANCE IS SO GOOD THEY THEY THEY HAVE ENOUGH GAPS TO TO MAKE THE TURN THEY MAKE WHAT'S THE POINT THE VOLUME ON THAT ROAD CURRENTLY THAT'S A TWO LANE HIGHWAY I'M THINKING THIS I THINK THAT WHICH FOR THAT OKAY I'M JUST CURIOUS I KNOW THE EXAM IS LOW I TAKE YOUR WORD FOR IT. YEAH.

ALL RIGHT. YEAH. ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. HAVE TO READ WHY THE REZONING REQUEST SOMEONE WOULD THAT PIECE OF PAPER AND I DO AND I JUST WANTED I FORGOT STATE I MEAN STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL AND ALSO THE PLANNING COMMISSION LOOKED AT THIS AT THEIR NOVEMBER 2025 MEETING AND THEY VOTED EIGHT IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY MEMBERS PRESENT TO SUPPORT THIS REZONING.

OKAY OKAY. SINCE I WAS THE MAKER OF THE MOTION TO MOVE THIS TO COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING THE ORDINANCE I WOULD ALSO MOVE THAT COUNCIL GRANT THE REQUEST FOR REZONING FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS THE REQUEST IS ONE CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS POLICIES OF THE

[01:25:05]

THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING AND FOR STAYING WITH US LATE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION AND WE HOPE SEE YOU AT OUR NEXT MEETING

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.