Town Council - Regular Meeting

over here. All right. Yes, I do as well. Matthews

testing one, two, testing podium mic number one. Testing one, two, one, two. Testing podium mic number two. Testing one, two, one, two. Testing podium mic number three. Yeah, the first two weren't everything else. Testing one, two. This is mic number eight. Testing one, two, testing sound. Mic number seven. Testing. Testing one two. Mic number six. Testing 1212. Mic number five. Testing one 212. Mic number four. Testing one two one two. Mic number three. Testing one two one two. Mic number two. Testing one, two, one, two, mic number one.

Test one, two, one, two. This This is

Good afternoon. I'd like to call this town council meeting of April 7th, 2026 to order. If you will stand and join in saying the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. If you'll continue standing while we have Dr. Arthur Evans of St. James Baptist Church come say the invocation is Dr. And there we go. Right here, sir.

Let us pray. Blessed eternal God, we are so thankful to be present another day that has dawned upon each of us. Pray now Lord as you look upon us in this meeting today. We need more than our understanding, more than our intellectual capabilities. God, we need your heart. We need your mind. We need you more than we ever needed you before. Thank you for this blessed opportunity that we have gathered God to uh fellowship for just a little bit and to conduct business that is of interest to us that will bless your people. that will be a light shining in darkness that those who see hope and see the light of your goodness will shine through. Pray now Lord that the work we do will be magnified in your sight that we'll be edified built up and oh God representing your glory glow in this meeting today in Jesus name we pray. Thank you Lord. Amen.

Amen. Thank you, sir.

Mr. Orlando changes today's agenda. No, sir. All right. Thank you. With that, is there a motion to approve? Move. Second. We've got a first and a second. All those in favor, signify by raising your hand. Approved. 6 to zero. Uh, Miss Bryson is not in town today. She is not here today because she is out of town at the moment. Um, moving on to the approval of minutes. We have the regular minutes of meetings of March 10th, 2026 and the special meetings of March 26, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? So moved.

There second. We have a first and a second. Any discussion? All right. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by raising your right hand. So moved. 6. We'll move on to presentations and and recognitions. Mr. Orlando, your report, please. Yes, sir. Good afternoon, Mayor, council, members of the public. I've got a few things uh this evening. Um first and foremost, kicking off just a a quick reminder that the land management ordinance task force continues to make some steady progress. Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 13th. And again, I I just want to make sure that that you all hear that I am very grateful for our chairman, Steve D. Simone, Councilwoman Becker, and Councilwoman Bryson, who of course serve as your representatives on the Elmo task force, as well as the other folks that are on there, the community members that have taken their time to participate, and the public's in the room. And a big thank you to to our planning staff as well. Um, we are making some progress. As a reminder, all meetings are broadcast on the Buer County channel and they're available on the town's YouTube page and they all start at 5:00 here in town council chambers unless otherwise noted. Um, the full schedule for the remaining meetings from April to May are on on the town's website and then once we get through those meetings as a task force and as a team, we'll start strategizing on how to move forward past those those meeting dates. some capital project updates which I'm always happy to share progress about. Muddy Creek and Bryant Road neighborhood. Um I drove through there recently. We are making visible progress. Roadways and rights of ways have been cleared up and and and cleaned of of landscaping. Potholes patched and surveying is underway. And also the Bryant Road Public Private Partnership request for

qualifications. As a reminder, that is our townowned property where we bid out as a qualification uh statement looking for a partner developer builder um to help us over there with more workforce housing. We've extended that approximately 30 days to make sure that we have the strongest possible proposals. North Point on Jarvis Creek continues to move forward. the project, as we know, the the the road to connect workforce housing through into Marshand Road is out for bid. Um, and that's the road through the United States Postal Service site, and we anticipate construction beginning somewhere in around the June time frame on that. So, some good progress with what used to be just an idea and a discussion point is now out for bid. So, great news. Uh, Mitchellville Road is nearing completion. Another project I we and many of us I don't think realized was getting uh that far along uh the way and and also something that has come to life and a project that has been talked about for many many years is nearing completion. Mitchellville Freedom Park, the loop road. The town, as a reminder, in the capital improvement program will has designed and and will construct the loop road as part of that parcel. And we've worked very closely with a mod and team. That loop road and parking lot project will soon go out to bid. So, we're nearing completion on all of that. Um, from a bidding standpoint, Kiggney Pocket Park is nearly complete. Taylor Family Park, as we know, uh, is under construction. site clearing complete, pavilion construction in progress, and we rem and we remain on schedule for a grand opening this fall. Patterson Family Park, uh we've had some holdups on that, so to speak. Um, but we are finalizing some wetland permitting and an encroachment permit that we needed to um apply for and receive from the South

Carolina Department of Transportation as uh as as Marceland Road is a DOT road crossings park phase 1 pickle ball complex. We have been waiting um on some design and most importantly permitting the United States federal wetland permit. We've secured it. So that's a that's a big major step and a major hurdle that we've overcome. So great great job to the team. Um and then for phase two Bristol Sports Complex, we heard from some young folks in the room not that long ago uh about skate park. We're also adding a pump track to it and we will soon announce be on the lookout for some engagement opportunities for some some opportunity to get out on site and view our design to date in May. So, we'll work with the island wreck and get that message out to the community before then. But that's moving along. Um, we're entering the final phase of our beach reourishment project at the southern end of the island and and the Sea Pines area with sand pumping expected to begin in the coming days, if not already. Pine Island Beach nearing construction uh of the breakwater structures and the tilling work. Um, and wow, that's quite the quite the accomplishments and and and steady push from our CIP team. Is Sean Gillan in the room?

Yes,

there is. You couldn't see over there the blend. Sean Sean Gillan as as we know is our assistant town manager and his direct alignment with uh the entire team Donda Adam, Richard Lden, Jeff Netinger, they're making a a big difference and a noticeable difference um on our capital projects and I just want to make sure we say thank you to him publicly and and informally. So great job Sean. Um a few more. I'm almost done. RBC Heritage begins next week. Can't believe that either. I'd like to note that Heritage and the Hilton Head Island were recently named and recognized by the PGA Tour with a best of award for most fan first event and the Deepwell project was named the 2025 PGA Tour Charity of the Year and that's pretty major as you think about it through um PGA uh recognizing and celebrating Deep Well. So congratulations to Deepwell and and congratulations to PGA for that. Our Galaguchi Historic Neighborhood Community Development Corp. has also been included as a charitable option in the 2026 Birdies for Charity program as part of the RBC Heritage. And so, congratulations to everybody involved there as well. Fire rescue. I'd like to recognize two outstanding team members. Senior firefighter Steven Clark named Firefighter of the Year. Chief, good job to him. and senior firefighter paramedic Kefir McBurnernney named EMT of the year by the Hilton Head Island Rotary Club. So, congratulations to them and thank you to the Island Rotary Club for that. Um, congratulations to our fighter fighters association for earning first place in the judges choice category at the uh Wingfest. So, you never stop, Chief. Always always moving and shaking. So, congrats to you and to everybody involved. And lastly, I

was a part of along with Angie and our communications team, Heather and Kelly and and and others. We recently hosted about 40 students from Hilton Head Prep and they came to town hall to learn about uh local government economics and we had a great conversation, a lot of thoughtful questions and a lot of those students demonstrated a great understanding of the challenges and opportunities we manage every day. So, a special thank you to Hilton Head Prep and those students and and to my team for being ready for them um as they recently visited town hall. So, good day. Uh that concludes my report.

All right. Thank you, Mark. A lot of great things that are happening. Uh we'll continue on with presentations and recognitions as I come down that way. So, next we have the mayor's honored islanders recipients who study volunteerism and good deeds enrich the community, the island community, bolster community organizations that deepen inind hands-on support and help uplift their fellow mankind. So I would like to invite several individuals to come forward and and real briefly this is the mayor's honored islander has been a tradition that's been going on for quite some time and we realized that in the past while they have been recognized here that we had failed to do that. So now we're going to be doing it during our our meetings quarterly um here so so that they get the proper recognition that they deserve. So Dr. William Bell stay up here with us.

Thank you, sir. Yes. Thank you. Stay up here. [laughter] We got a group picture, too.

Yes. Linda and Hornbeck Ferguson. Yes. Don Hendrickson. Thank you, Bernie Randell. [applause]

And I'll say this just because it's rotary, but it's suitable for framing. Oh, thank you.

And last but last but not le least, Chris Shiveley. All right, have the whole group. Everybody come up front. Stand in front of the podium.

There's nothing more fun than taking pictures in front of [laughter] Very good. Yes. Thank you. Yeah, I will take. Next, we'll move on to the character education student of the month for February. Hilton Head Island kindergarten student, Brenley Y. Come on up. Can I hold you?

Can I hold you? Hold you up so everybody can see you. There you go. There we go. Wendy is here today with her parents, Carson Yelt and Samantha Baleman Balman. The character trait chosen for February was honesty and integrity. Integrity means doing the right thing, being honest, staying true to your values, and making good choices based on strong moral values. Renley is the type of student that exemplifies the character trait of integrity. Renley allows always allows her conscious conscience to be her guide both in the classroom and with her peers and can be seen throughout her daily actions. Her true and honest efforts are given to her teachers along with every assignment she turns in. Renley works each day to do what she knows is right, even when no one is watching. So, let me set you down. Got a couple things for you. First and foremost, this right here, certificate of achievements, your name, and everything. Turn around. Take a picture. Okay.

Awesome. Thank you. What do YOU SAY? [applause]

[applause] [applause]

THAT'S AWESOME.

Thank you all. Next, we move on to Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month or proclamation. The town of Hilton Head Island child abuse prevention and aware awareness month proclamation. Whereas South Carolina's future prosperity is dependent upon nurturing the healthy development of the 1.1 million childrens currently residing in the diverse communities across our state. And all children deserve to have the safe, stable, nurturing homes and communities they need to foster their healthy growth and development. And whereas in f fiscal year 2024, there were 7,663 children and founded investigations of child child maltreatment in South Carolina. [clears throat] And hopeful Horizons conducted 411 forensic interviews for cases of alleged child abuse and neglect with Child Abuse Prevention Association, Kappa, provided 14,288 days of care to 108 foster children. And whereas child abuse is a public health issue with serious societal consequences as data shows the link between the abuse and the neglect of children and a wide range of costly medical, emotional, physiological, and behavioral problems into adulthood. And whereas preventing child abuse and neglect must be a priority that requires individuals, families, youth service organizations, faith-based groups, businesses, government agencies, and everyone that make up our community to support the physical, emotional, and educational development of all children and their families. And whereas effective child abuse prevention exists in communities that provide parents with the social support, knowledge of parenting and child development, and concrete resources they need to cope with the stress and mature the ch their children to help ensure that all children can grow to their full potential. Now therefore, Ian RP, the

mayor of the town of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as child abuse prevention and awareness month. And we have Megan bus and Richard Megan and Richard to come up to accept. Come right over here.

Okay, get got two cameras, so bear with me. [laughter] Everybody looks great. Thank you so much. [applause]

Now we have one more fair housing month proclamation to be accepted by Trey Low. Come on up. Interum planning director for the town of Hilton Head Island. [snorts] The town of Hilton Head Island Fair Housing Proclamation. Whereas the town of Hilton Head Island desires that all all its citizens be afforded the opportunity to attain a decent, safe, and sound living environment. And whereas the town of Hilton Head Island reject rejects discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, and or familial status and the sale, rental, or provisions of of other housing services. And whereas equality of opportunity for all is fundamental policy of this nation, state, country, and town. Whereas fair housing is economically stabilizing and promotes human relations within the community by supporting diversity and providing positivity within the community. And whereas the state of South Carolina enacted the South Carolina Fair Housing Law in 1989. And whereas April 11th, 2026 marks the 58th anniversary of the passage of the US Fair Housing Law, Title 8 of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and as amended. And whereas April is recognized nationally as Fair Housing Month. Now therefore, Alan I, Alan R. Perry, mayor of the town of Hilton Head Island, hereby proclaim that April 2026 shall be known on Hilton Head Island as Fairousing Month in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. CONGRATULATIONS. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ALL.

All right. Next, we will move on to general reports. Does anybody have any general reports at this time? All right. Seeing none, we'll move into reports from uh committees. Miss Becker, Low Country Area Transportation Study.

Thank you, Mayor. Um we met the Latz committee. It's also known as LATS. Um met um and there were a couple of things that of interest to Hilton Head that I think I'd share with you here. Um, one is that there's a long range pol the policy committee, the long range policy committee um is doing a 2055 um survey and working on a report. The survey opens May in May and closes in November. And um I would encourage anyone who might be interested in um giving their thoughts on any of that to go on to the website to um fill out that survey of particular interest for Hilton Hood is a US 278 study um from 95 to Cine Circle. So that in particular they also reported on the county uh reported on the tech committee the transportation advisory committee and that committee continues to meet and to do their work. Um they will be um reporting back to the council to the county council beginning of May um with some suggestions recommendations regarding some big projects as it was described um 10 to75 million per year estimated um to be raised um and there talk about how long that will take and how long they will be interested in going through that. So, I would recommend you stay in touch and watch those TAC committees. Um, they are recorded for everyone to review. Um, the county council also reported that with regard to the bridges here, um, from Moss Creek to Hilton Hood, the there is no update. The SC DOT continues to work and refine their project, but nothing

more specific than that. and that the additional monies that the county was looking for um have not they have not heard anything back and it's well past the date that they were expecting to have heard. So that's the report for the lats committee. Okay. Thank you. Bounty Council of Governments. Mr. Alfred report. Thank you for County Airport. Miss Toner.

Yes. I have three items I'd like to cover. Uh first of all I just want to say and we all know this. Hilton Head is such a giving community and I want to thank everybody for their support of our TSA agents. Uh while the shutdown was going on, they went without pay for 44 days. One of our airport board members, Rich Cells, put together a GoFundMe account and the community stepped up and donated quite a bit of money. Almost $800 in gift cards were distributed to each TSA agent for gas and groceries. and they recognize all those TSA agents recognize how special this island is and we are blessed with such generous residents and businesses. Um, two other items. Uh, there's a new situational awareness system that was installed. Um, Hilton Head has installed this new state-of-the-art technology which will make flying into and out of the airport safer. The new software, Euvenex, displays live aircraft positions, making operations safer. This is provided through receivers installed on the tower. Prior to this, Hilton Head Island was one of 91 airports in the nation that relied on visual spotting and telephone communication to manage airport traffic. So, a big step. And then lastly, finally, the opening of the new terminal. Uh, it's official. The new airport terminal expansion will be ready for business on May 1st. And you may have heard John Rimble, I think he's everywhere and announcing this and you'll you may see him um you know speaking to the news on the power hour etc because he's so excited about being um able to deliver this project. This project more than doubles the space at the airport and and includes three jets, I'm sorry, three gates, jet bridges so passengers don't have to walk outdoors,

two TSA lines, so pre-check means something, a service animal outdoor area, and a new gathering spot for concessions. So, uh, big day coming on May 1st. Thank you. That's it.

All right. Thank you. Next, we'll move on to Southern Low Country Regional Board. Uh, since Miss Bryson's out of town, I'll take this. Um, we had both Jasper County and Buer County provide presentations as to what's going on respectively with operations. Um, Jasper County did go into some growth management, economic development. Um, talked about their airport and strategic growth that they're looking at there. The county talked about a lot of different aspects as to the growth challenges uh, within the area and how they're going to be looking at that. So again, it's just a it's a continual update as to where we're seeing things go. Um, next meeting we will talk about uh ebike committee from Bluffton and then a sales tax committee. Uh the the tax accommodations committee, not the tax accommodations committee, the um the tax tax, what's it stand for?

Transportation. Transportation. Thank you. [cough] Gracious. So we'll be discussing that in May as well. April. Next, we will have uh Mr. Brown, Island Recreation Association.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. As usual, lots going on at the Island Rec Center. I'll just highlight a few things here. Um busy March with uh college lacrosse during spring break. Also, college tennis. Um those were happening at Chaplain Crossings, Cadillo, and Hilnet High School. Uh community events, there was a Easter extravaganza on April 4th. The senior center now has 543 members. Fitness has over 2500 members and aquatics, the dome is down and the CIP work is completed at the pool. Uh again up for swimming seasons to start again. Water aerobics and lab swim is still going strong. That's my report, sir.

All right. Thank you. Next is uh Buer County Economic Development Corporation. I was unable to attend that meeting, but I do have a summary. the March 26, 2026 Buer County Economic Development Committee board meeting focused on transferring 1 million to St. Hel the 1 million St. Helena Arts and Cultural Center project to the open land trust and approving key governor policies. Um, additionally, the board progressed on the strategic plan due April 20th, managed leadership uh succession for July and awarded relentless challenge grants for workforce development. [snorts] Next we will have Galaguchi uh Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation. Mr. Brown, no report, sir. Uh the next meeting will be on May uh 20th at 10 a.m.

Okay. Community Development Public Services, Miss Becker. Thank you. The Community Development and Public Service Committee met on Monday um yesterday. And during that time, we reviewed applications for some openings on our board's commissions and committees. And our next meeting will be to um to meet with those folks and to interview so that we can fill our spots. If anyone is interested in serving with the town in a volunteer um capacity, we welcome your applications. We're always looking for great talent and wonderful residents to participate here in the town hall. Right. Thank you, Mr. Brown. Finance administrative.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um Mr. Orlando has told me that Mr. Dave Bird, our finance director, does not like compliments. However, I'm going to take this opportunity to publicly uh thank him again for the wonderful work that his team has been doing. Um we don't only get a lot of people at our our meetings. Um but we have some interesting data that's coming our way thanks to this team. Okay. We have continued to ask the question over the years, how is the town doing from a financial standpoint, not just money in and money out as far as our budget is concerned, but understanding what this economic state looks like here on Hilton Head from a sector standpoint. And this team has put together a pretty substantial report on that. I would recommend and highly suggest that all of you take a look at it. it really starts to lay out a picture of where we stand here as a community and obviously um how we stand and continue to perform should be a part of how we make our decisions here on this diet. So I thank Mr. Bur and his team for for doing that. Um we also took up the affiliated agencies on yesterday. You guys will see that as we go through our budgetary uh deliberations and we will meet again on May 11th at 10:00 a.m. The agenda will include another financial update. We will also have a presentation of the DMO for the fiscal year 2020 27 marketing plan, budget and industry metrics. Uh we will also have a resolution authorizing town manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement with the South Carolina Department of Transportation for the CPON circle improvement project and consideration of a recommendation for additional 2025 ATX

grant for funding of the Hilton Head Concourse Day elegance. That's my report. Sir,

thank you. If I might, I'd like to to um piggyback on what you said about uh the reports that were provided yesterday. Um simply, it is transparent clarity in what was provided and how our community is doing from both a revenue standpoint and an expense standpoint. And I think it's something that we have been striving for for a while. And I'm not going to say we're there 100%, but we are definitely moving in the right direction. So, I just want to reiterate that also. So, uh, we'll move on to new business. We have consideration of a resolution approving the the program for the 2026 action plan, uh, as required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD for participation in the community development block grant entitlement program. That's Michelle Bots, senior grants administrator. Thank you.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. Um, back again. This is our 2026 annual action plan for the community development block grant, CDBG. Um, speaking of Mr. Bird, we wanted to see how many times he could say CDBG five times fast. Um, anyway, this is our second year of the town's 2025 2029 consolidated plan. So, this is part of that plan. Um, the first year, if you remember, is included in the comm plan when we bring that to you. So that was approved by town council in 25 and by HUD in August of 25. The action plan serves as the town's application to the HUD program, the CDBG program, and identifies the projects proposed for funding during that program year. So what activities we're going to do and how we're going to fund that. Um we are continuing to fund the Patterson and Taylor family parks. We are hoping to bring those across the finish line and get those there so we can move forward with funding other projects in the future. And speaking of that, at the FNA committee, we talked about how we can better um communicate public meetings and encourage more participation from the community to let us know what their ideas are for that funding. And we already started working on that, looking at community newsletters and other ways to really reach out to the to the community. So, we're excited about that. Um, also maybe doing a survey with better clear questions, but something that's a little bit more, you know, reality based, you know, what what people are really looking for every day. So, we're excited about that. Um, FNA was presented with this action plan back in March and voted unanimously to recommend it to town council for approval. So, we're here tonight for that since this plan will have to be submitted to UD next month. That's it.

Thank you. U, do we have a motion from council? Move to approve, sir. Second. Do we have anybody signed up to speak on this agenda item? Mr. Williams. He passes. Any comments, questions from council? Mr. Tuner?

Yes. I did mention this at the finance meeting, but um as we were looking at various projects, I did recommend that we look at using this funding to support the sewer connection program. And I know staff reviewed this request and indicated that CDBG funds, did I say that right? [laughter] Uh be prioritized for activities with broader and more scalable uh community benefits. Um so I'm I keep looking uh for opportunities there and I understand there is the potential for a grant from the Ber Jasper housing author authority for that program. So that I just wanted to make that comment. Thank you. Thank you. and we did add your comments as well into the action plan.

Any other comments or questions?

Just uh Mr. Brown, just another thought on Miss Tunner's comment about the sewer connections. Um obviously there's still demand there. Um we as a town uh stepped up and used some American Rescue Plan monies to further that program. It's my understanding that there's still money sitting over at the community foundation of the Low Country. Um that has a different set of criteria than what we had and the money seems to be a little bit more difficult to access. Um I'm glad Miss Ton is planting a seed. I think it may be a good opportunity now that we have a new CEO at the CFL to maybe have a conversation about revisiting the criteria for that sewer program. The demand is there. It seems that the funding is not there. How can we connect those dots? Okay. Other comments, questions? Seeing none, we'll move on to the vote. Consideration of a resolution approving the program year 2026 action plan is required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD for participation in the community development block grant CDBG entitlement program. Motion was made by Mr. Brown, second by Miss Becker. All those in favor signify by raising your right hand. So moved 6.

Can I go back to the uh prior item for a second? Yes. [clears throat]

I wanted to comment on one item that Mr. Brown reported on that will come up at the May 11 meeting of the finance and administrative committee. As I understand what he stated, it includes presentation of a proposed memorandum of understanding or contract between the town and the uh state of South Carolina Department of Transportation with respect to the management of the improvement of the Sepine Circle and Greenwood Drive project. Uh I think as as many people know uh CSA at Sepines and the town have both agreed that it would be desirable for the state to take over that project of Cine Circle uh and Greenwood Drive. Uh this will be the first presentation to council on the question of what are the terms of the agreement by which the state will operate that project.

Right. Thank you. And finally, under new business, we have consideration of an ordinance to amend title 16 of the municipal code of the town of Hilton Head Island, the land management ordinance to amend the overlay zoning district standards for the holiday homes neighborhood character overlay district. This is the first reading. This item has been reviewed and recommended to be to move forward. Mr. Trey Low, interim planning director, will do the presentation. Mr. Low.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council, Mr. Town Manager. So, as Mr. Mayor alluded to, we're here today to talk about an amendment to the Holiday Homes neighborhood character overlay district. For reference, the Holiday Homes character or Holiday Homes neighborhood is on the northeast corner of William Hilton Parkway and Follyfield Road. It's a 57 lot subdivision built in the 1950s. Uh the purpose of the Holiday Homes neighborhood character overlay district is to provide additional zoning regulations that support the desired character of the neighborhood. And what we're here today to do is um basically bring this overlay district into alignment with covenants and restrictions that were recorded with the original neighborhood back in the 1950s. Um this neighborhood does not have a POA or an ARB that oversees them. So they have asked us to implement this in the code or in our land management ordinance. As you can see this uh text amendment has been thoroughly vetted through our community development and public services committee uh with unanimous support and planning commission for both initiation and recommendation for approval to town council uh with unanimous or with unanimous support. Uh and just of note, as of the writing of our staff report, 42 of the 57 lot owners in this community have shown support for this proposed text amendment. Uh summary of the proposed amendments. Uh so there's been some changes to the applicability and purpose statement. It's just restating the purpose and better aligning the intent of the district regulations. It's adding some clarifying language and requirement standards for the expansion of existing nonconformities. Uh, amendments to setbacks would remove

provisions to reduce setbacks to five feet for lots with less than 50 feet of street frontage and add some clarifying language to the applicability of sideyard setback angles to incorporate all sideyards. Uh, buffers. It reduces driveway maximum width within required adjacent street buffers from 24 feet currently to 22 feet and add adds provisions for horseshoe driveways within the required adjacent street buffer to allow just a maximum of that 22 feet. Our impervious lot coverage would propose to reduce the impervious lot coverage from its existing 50% to 45%. Uh amendments to floor area ratio would reduce the glo gross floor area from 4,000 square feet which is current to 32,000 or 3200 square ft, excuse me, and removes an exclusion of parking and storage below base flood elevation when calculating gross floor area. So that would now be added into the calculation. Uh parking, it adds a provision that a garage can only contain two cars or or provide parking for two cars. And height, it reduces maximum height from 35 ft to 30 ft. Adds provision that buildings shall not exceed 2 and 1/2 stories and adds definition for story and half story. And that's all I have.

All right. Thank you. Do we have a motion on this? U mayor, I'd like to make a motion that we um approve the consideration of this ordinance and also to add that the pending ordinance takes effect with our vote. Do we have a second on the motion? Second. Right. Kim, has anybody signed up to speak on this agenda item? Yes. Chad Williams, Vicky Klene, Rita Borio,

Peter Christian, Mr. Mayor, members of the council, town manager, staff, um, Peter Christian, for the record, I am speaking as a resident of Filton Head Island, not the general manager of Filton Head Plantation. This situation came to light many months ago and they are a smaller community and there are many small communities throughout the island that don't have the protections of a POA. They have covenants, but they don't have an organized POA. They have no funds. They have no A or B and their only protection is you. So being the manager of the largest residential community that has a staff of 50 to do exactly what you're trying to do here, I feel their pain. So, I think this is very appropriate and I hope other communities can take advantage of this situation to have your staff embolden what they would like to see in their community so we don't get building that is just totally out of character with a residential nature and I'm in full support of this and I hope others in the community will come and support it as well. Thank you for your time.

Thank you,

Rick Lawson. Hi, thank you for having me here, Mr. Perry, Mayor Perry, Council, and Mr. Orlando. Um, resident for about 50 years on the island. Started a business in 1976. My wife and I shut it down and sold our commercial property over in Palmetto Headlands in 19 or 2018, I'm sorry. And stayed on the island, stayed in the same house. We just like it. Uh I'm a terrible public speaker, so I prepared a little thing I'm going to read if you don't mind. Very short. Uh it's a brief history of what has brought us to this point. And Trey covered covered it all very well. Uh quite a number of years ago, we the homeowners of Holiday Homes met with the intention of potentially establishing a POA. the town representative at the time, our town representative, attended our meetings and advised us to consider drafting a protective overlay rather than creating a POA. He said the main reason being that the town would enforce any town approved overlay. Um, and as a POA, we would be in a position of having to legally defend our ordinances, which could financially be more than we could ever handle. Uh, with his help, we drafted our initial protective overlay, which was based on one from a neighboring community. With the building of these new houses that have always been mentioned, a majority of the homeowners realized our existing overlay was too subjective, which allowed for some personal impret interpretation and did not match some of the ordinances specified in our covenants that Trey

mentioned, which were written in 1957. So, we're bringing the two together. We're just trying to make both read the same. And for these reasons, 83% of the Holiday Homes property owners are requesting and have approved these changes of our Holiday Homes overlay. Also, on a related topic, off on a tangent a little bit, I'd like to address some comments recently made by a couple of individuals who I think represent a lot of the island real estate professionals. their com these comments were made and I'm quoting to make sure property owners are well informed. I bring to this ma I bring this matter up not so much for the sake of you the town council um rather for the attention of our homeowners and maybe potential lot owners in Holiday Homes and in other areas. Some residents within Holiday Homes, and I would imagine some future owners, have been told that an owner can no longer build a one-story ranchstyle home on a slab because this type of home is no longer conforming. The new homes or reconstructed homes must be raised.

I do have to stop you there. The three minutes is up. Oh, I didn't realize I was going that long. Thank you, sir. Thank you. I'd like Thanks everybody for all your help. Thank you. When you're such a good public speaker, time just flies by. Matt Lewis. [clears throat]

Hello. Uh my name is Matt Lewis. I live by Aelia Street in the uh Holiday Homes subdivision. Uh mayor, council members, town staff, thanks for hearing our pleas to you today and uh in this ordinance. as a town presentation uh said that neighbors of the holiday homes have worked with their uh with them for almost a year and that resulted in this this ordinance as before you today uh for the first reading. I want to stress uh the same as uh Trey did as this has gone through the process. Um the governing bodies that have heard this and vetted it have all uh unanimously approved it and uh we're hoping you do the same. Um these are minor changes to our overall neighborhood. uh they're meant to codify the intent of our covenants and um we're hoping that uh once and for all this issue would be behind us. Uh as a point of clarification to the town report, uh we currently have uh 57 lots as as was stated, there's really only 53 owners because one owner owns three lots, another owner owns two. Uh, and of those we now have 44 people that have signed on, nine that have refused to sign on, [cough] and um, four of the reasons they gave was they they feel like we're trying to uh, come up with some kind of a POA somewhere along the line, and they just said they don't want to have any part of it. Uh we currently have uh greater than 33% short-term renters in rental owners in our um neighborhood and uh almost 50% of them have already signed on and say that they they can understand the protection of their their investment by protecting the the um neighborhood with these overlay changes.

Um, so the majority of our owners um are are in agreement. The uh almost the majority of the even the short-term rental owners are in agreement and uh all the governing bodies have already agreed to this. So we're hoping you would uh go ahead and agree to it as well. Thank you for your time. Thank you. That's all I have on this item. Go back to the first one if you would. The first name Vicky Klene. Did she come in? And then I have Rita Diorio. Okay. All right. I just want to make sure we got everybody. Okay. Thank you. Okay. So, comments, questions, concerns from council. Okay.

Go ahead, Mr. Desmond. Page three of five. Trey, U C is in Charlie. Could you read that out for me and tell me what you what you're actually trying to say there? You're I mean it reads measured 20 feet above 13 feet above mean sea level. What are you What are you saying?

Is it written correctly? It does not seem to be written correctly. No. Are there will there be graphics attached to this text amendment? Is that the setback you can refer to? Excuse me. No,

this is a this is a table that's in the staff report. It's just a breakdown of what's in the text amendment to be changed. And there's some subnotes in there. One of which uh Councilman D Simone is referring to is is sub C which says measured 20 ft above 13 ft above mean sea level using the NAV D88 vertical datim or pre-development grade whichever is higher at the setback line that's originally

yeah but what what does that mean I'm have to ask you let these guys talk [clears throat] I need to I need to let these guys talk yeah thank So the way we measure height in the LMO for residential is 13 ft above mean sea level or pre-development grade. The 20 ft is talking about the setback angle where it starts. So it's 20 ft above the 13 ft or pre-development grade is where the setback angle would start. Subnote C is is in reference to setback requirements. You will see uh side angles 20 ft C and then 65°. That's where that's what that's in reference to.

All right. It's just not worded very it's Yeah, it's not. So, but graphics will be attached to this change. No graphics. I do not have a prop I do not have graphics proposed. Those graphics come from RSF6 zoning districts. Those graphics are in there and in the uh setback and buffer tables in so if you look in the current LMO under the RFS6 you see those graphics because that's the typical way that the angles are there's no change. It's in there. All right. Are you satisfied?

Yeah. There are no graphics in the in the in the character overlay currently. Other comments, questions, concerns? Mr. Brown? Yes. Um, just a little you you uh you mentioned it seems to be some discrepancy on the I guess the amount of actual owners. Um, well, 57 and 53, I've heard two different numbers, but there's a percentage of owners that are not included. Have we made contact with them? Do you have anything to report as far as where they stand on the proposed changes?

I other than what the information that I've received that the uh 42 of the 57 and I did misspeak there are 57 lots. I was aware that only 53 of those are uh held privately. Um, so that would be uh 11 additional four of which are on the fence and don't and feel like we're creating a POA or ARB. Uh, the others I do not have any response from. Okay.

In opposition or in favor? I have not received staff has not received that. Um while while I uh while I commend the the property owners that have sort of galvanized support and um I commend the leadership of their council person to pull this all together. I am I am struggling with this. Um and I'm just going to state the reasons why I'm struggling. Um I'm probably going to be on the short end of the sticker here, but that's okay. Um, we've heard the word protection and yes, we need to make sure that we are controlling development. I agree with that wholeheartedly. I struggle with the word protection because I'm not quite sure that the 27 or 25% whatever the number is that are not in agreeance

are looking to be protected or not. That's number one. Number two, I'm very concerned about us setting precedent here with smaller neighborhoods that don't have PAS and they've got a split as far as the desires of that community and now the town steps in and makes a call based on majority. I'm struggling with that big time. Okay. The last thing I'll say is we had a similar situation down in North Forest Beach. And I will admit I voted with the majority, but I'm understanding now that the town has to go back and take another look at some of the things that we did because the minority concerns are now an issue that we've got to address. So, um, I just want to put that stuff on the record, Mr. Mayor. Again, I understand if I'm on short end stick. I'm not looking for any rebuttals on this. I just want to make sure that I'm have my comments on the record. Thank you.

Thank you. Other questions, comments?

I I want to commend this neighborhood. Um they brought forth a concern that they saw happening within a community that as it's been stated was developed um in a particular character back in 1950s. And the majority, large majority of the residents have stayed in that community and they love where they live and they love what it represents in terms of Hilton Head and its overall character. I do know that over time they've reached out via letters and community meetings, etc. to all of the neighbors. And when you do take the 57 and the three that are owned by one, you get 54. And then another one that's owned by two, that's 52. And then of those um having just subtracted four for those who are concerned about a POA, which this is not in any way, um you come close to almost 100%. and um you'll that's about as close as you'll ever get on anything to get an agreement within a community. Um I think this is a remarkable thing that this group of people have done in protecting and saving their their assets and the assets of this community where we can look back into some historic areas and and be proud of what's been accomplished. So, I commend you all for the hard work that you've done and I look forward to seeing this put into place for you.

Thank you. Any other questions, comments, concerns from council? All right. I just um I want to address a couple things. You know, Mr. Brown brought up the fact that that it may seem like it opens a door and I'm supporting this because it it's 70 years old. the covenants are 70 years old on this property and and I think it deserves the clarity for the people that have bought on that property for decades but have owned in there for decades. So, you know, this cleans things up. I I do applaud y'all for coming forth and working with town to come to a reasonable solution and working with the neighborhood. So, I you know, that's the way it should work. Um but but it you know solidifying something that came around 70 years ago is the catalyst for the conversations with staff with the committees and with council and I just want to make that statement publicly because not every community has those covenants in play that is not a POA um to be able to do this. I don't think it's going to open the door for a lot but I think there's caveats that need to come around when a community may look at something like this outside of the land management ordinance rewrite. um if they've got a covenants that aren't being met, they're not being addressed correctly, if they've been forgotten, um that they come forward, bring that forward and make certain that they're being addressed. So, um with that said, any other comments or questions? So, um I do have a procedural question, uh Mr. Col Train in that uh Miss Becker has made the motion on the ordinance and she made it with a pending doctrine ordinance and I want to see if that changes anything within our process.

Vote on her proposed amendment first. Add that and then vote on the main motion. Okay, got it. So, we have a first and a second uh Miss Becker and Mr. Desimone respectively. Uh the first was to add the pending ordinant doctrine ordinance doctrine to this. Um do we have any discussion on that? Yeah, if you want to explain that, Miss Becker.

Sure. Um the pending ordinance doctrine is put into place and it will affect this ordinance so that it will take effect as of this vote rather than the second vote. If something were to change between the first and the second vote, then everything goes back to um to where it was. But as of this vote, um this ordinance takes effect. That's what the pending ordinance doctrine does. My question u to you, Trey, is there anybody that's in the hopper right now that's looking to do something within that area that would be affected by a pending ordinance that you're aware of? Not that I'm aware of.

Okay. Any other staff members have any question? any uh knowledge on that. Okay. Just want to just want to be clear. All right. So, um so we're going to vote on the pending ordinance portion of it now. So, all those in favor, please signify by raising your right hand. Opposed Mr. Alfred.

Okay. So, that is five to one in favor of. Now, we'll move on to the consideration of an ordinance to amend title 16 of the municipal code of the town of Hilton Head Island, the land management ordinance to amend the overlay zoning district standards for the holiday homes neighborhood character overlay district to include the following. Section 16-3-106.j to modify and add standards related to setbacks, buffers, impervious coverage, floor area ratio, parking, building height, and minimum lot size and provided for severability and effective date. And that was made by Miss Becker, seconded by Mr. Desimone. All those in favor, please signify by raising your right hand. Opposed? Again, five to one. Motion passes. Thank you.

Thank you. So, um, moving on to non-aggenda items. Uh, we of the section 2-5-7 of the town's code limits each person to one three-minute comment. When addressing council, at the end of your three minutes, you are asked to conclude your comments. Please maintain a decorum suitable for the meeting and refrain from using any profane, abusive, or obscene language. If you have any materials you'd like to give to town council, please give them to the town clerk after you are finished speaking. Kim, do we have anybody signed up to speak? Yes, we've got three. Um, first one is Skip Hogland. I do not see him present. Uh, next we have Richard Bizzy. Richard, Mr. Bizzy.

Good afternoon, Richard Bizzy. begin to go run. Let's stop pretending. What this town council is doing looks and operates like a deliberate effort to avoid public scrutiny using what's known as a rolling quorum. A rolling quorum or walking quorum is not some harmless technicality. It's a method of conducting business behind closed doors through back-to-back small meetings, phone calls, and emails so officials can avoid triggering open meeting laws while still collecting reaching collective decisions. May sound clever, but it's not. And it's exactly the kind of behavior South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act was designed to prevent. And this is not happening in a vacuum. It's happening while the town develops a long overdue corridor master plan. A plan that will shape the future of this community and should absolutely be built with public input. Instead, residents are being shut out. No agendas, no public notice, no meaningful opportunity to participate, just a slow drip of information, if any at all. It took an email from Councilwoman Melinda Tunner to finally crack the silence here on this town council and even she acknowledged the problem. Walking quorums can be problematic, she said. That's putting it mildly. She also questioned why it's taking so long to produce even a draft plan. That a delay isn't just frustrating, it's suspicious when paired with a pattern of closed-door discussions. Buford County already showed what happens when you sideline the public. Failed referendums, mistrust, and backlash. And yet, instead of learning from that mistake, Hilton Head appears to be doubling down on secrecy. Now, we're told these meetings really aren't secret because they've been casually mentioned in workshops.

Well, that's not transparency. That's deflection. If there's no agenda, no notice, no way for the public to participate, then by any reasonable standards, these are secret meetings. Maybe the South Carolina Ethics Commission will weigh in. An official complaint will be filed tomorrow, and maybe the courts will have to get involved. But here's the reality. Something doesn't have to be ruled illegal to be wrong. And this if it smells wrong, if it smells like manure and looks like manure, it must be manure. Town officials are more interested in controlling the outcome than earning public trust. Every member of this town council along with the mayor and the town manager need to understand something. You don't work around the public. You work for the public. And when people start to feel shut out, ignored or misled, they remember at the ballot box. Thank you.

Thank you, Peter Christian.

Mr. Mayor, mayor, members of the town council, town manager. Uh for the record, I am speaking for Hilton Head Plantation as a general manager. And I just wanted to build on uh the town manager's comments about the beach nourishment and how well that's been run, how well the staff, your staff has interfaced with my staff on this particular project that it is protecting now a pristine march, a a storm water shed that the town is obligated to maintain and a wildlife preserve that is going to be preserved for years to come and is going to hold back a storm surge, rising tides, and I have to tell you, my colleagues up and down the coast are in absolute awe and are jealous of what this town has been able to do with beach nourishment. Um, it's a real compliment to your your leadership, your innovation, uh, and your staff and just keep up the good work and our residents can't be more excited about the side benefit of the recreation that it brings as well. So, thank you very much on behalf of everyone in Hilton Head Plantation.

Thank you, Mr. Williams. That's all I have. That's all we have. All right. Uh, seeing no other business, do I have a motion to adjurnn? Second. Second. All those in favor raise your hand. We are adjourned.