Town Council - workshop

Meeting Tuesday, July 28th, 2026 to order. I'm going to ask for a motion on the adoption of the agenda, but I'd like to move public comment, not agenda items before the workshop. So moved. First and second. All those in favor signify by raising your right hand. Do we have a motion to accept the agenda with the modifications?

All those in favor signify by raising your hand. So moved. 7-0. All right. So we're here today. after many years and a culmination of a lot of conversations to address traffic issues within the corridor. There's been a lot of topics of discussions, a lot of years of discussions, and I would like to see today that we come out of here with a clear understanding as to how we're moving forward so that we can move this to council in August for a resolution of support so the town staff can begin working on getting funding, working on the entire process so that we're moving forward. So thank you all

Thank you. Mr. Orlando, turn it over to you.

I think when we hit those areas where it's changed, allow for those questions to come through so we can address them at that point.

Thank you. And I guess my only observation that I'd like to point out, and maybe y'all can help me with this, is that the total volume coming from Chamberlain, whether they're going off Island, across, or onto Island, amounts to 44 thereabouts turns. And in the change to green in 2030, that really looks as though if we're keeping those same numbers consistent, that five cars then are moving more swiftly. I'm just trying to get a handle of the impact overall, and we'll see more about that, I'm sure, as we go along in terms of construction and cost.

So the total number in 2025 is now consolidated in 2030. It's not just the five that we're moving. It's the whole total. Okay.

Thank you. I had questions as well. And it has to do with the circles. That's my price point, when you just look at the circles, it doesn't look like as much improvement as you would think. So it could be movement between A through C within the green. And so I think it would be helpful to know exactly what the improvement is over and above just the color because it doesn't look as impactful. And so that we can really measure how much improvement we're getting for how much we're spending. And then one of my questions is in regards to 2030, which I think you answered. is does that continuous gre

And then I get. Okay, because then I would ask why it doesn't not show the third lane and what improvements are made there since that is part of the proposal.

And I had another question that isn't from a new slide that I wonder if I could make, and it has to do with the split between the traffic. Yes, because we have other numbers that show a different split 68 and 32%. And so as I reconcile that in my mind, I wonder if it's the way that they're measured. This is an average daily.

So it's seven days of the week as opposed to when we have the planning commission who just updated their data that was taking three days in July and they were weekdays. And that's that came up with the 68 and 32 split. So again, I'm just trying to reconcile. Is it because this data takes into account the whole week. So you get the tourist impacts of movement on Fridays and Saturdays. That's causing this to be more even versus the planning commission study, which is done on weekdays. I'm just trying to figure it out.

Yes, they're different time periods. And I'm just trying to understand what the differences are. So they can both be right.

before you jump off of that. So I just wanna go back and make sure I heard clearly. So this is the version of the short-term work that we had seen previously. This does not impact any wetlands or any additional taking of any type of land.

and the upper right hand quadrant, that lower arrow actually should be a left arrow. Okay, just need to make sure I'm clear on what is going on here. That's what I needed. Thank you.

So again, leveraging off what's already been said, this is short term. So where's the analysis of what this looks like

The question in between that is I know the level of services and I you know clearly green yellow red, we can all interpret what that means, but I would like to hear a little bit more about what that means for traffic throughput obviously safety but. that is such a critical issue for so many people who live and work on the island there at Spanish Wells and William Hilton Parkway. And so I would like to hear a lot more detail about the improvement there to get those cars moving.

I got a quick question. If you can go back to that. What's the consideration of the fusky embarkation potentially moving over here?

That's not my question. The question is, as you're coming down eastbound on the bridge, there's gonna be a larger backup for people turning left onto Jenkins Island, both during the week and on the weekends, right? Boats and or people going to the Foskey. have y'all looked at having a larger turning, left-hand turning lane there at that light?

Okay, I just, yeah, since we haven't seen that yet, that's a concern that we don't want to start getting backed up on the bridge.

So along those lines, and I guess the fundamental question for me within this section is that the scope of the town's master plan and the authority and the funding, because I'm disappointed, to be honest with you. Today, I believe that we had sent an invitation to some county council folks to show up here so we could hear maybe some updates and at least have them listening to what we were discussing, bothers me because when we start talking about coordination, collaborations, beautiful plans that have been put into place, it's all dependent on something we have no knowledge about, haven't had

No, actually I don't. But I think that what we're looking at today is what the master plan is, conceptual plan. Of course, we've got to figure a lot of that out, especially when it comes to the funding of that Jenkins Island roadway through Jenkins Island. So there are a lot of questions. I do want to say, and maybe in defense of the county, we were at a meeting this morning and they had some other meetings that were going on today, so they couldn't be there either. So I don't know what that was, but...

That needs to be discussed without a doubt.

Right. And so, and that's a fair reason. Didn't see that nor hear about it. So I think that communication, if we ever expect to be able to coordinate and collaborate is critical and that's missing. But having said that also, I think that one of the things that was mentioned when we started this meeting that we were looking for a recommendation to our town manager and staff to be able to move forward on things, And I don't know how you could include this section in any sort of recommendation to move forward to town council in August without having that conversation. So I think everybody needs t

Thank you, Sean. I appreciate that. And I would suggest that that should be part of this conversation because if staff has information that we don't, and you're asking us for a recommendation to council for a resolution, again, Communication has failed.

And then my recurring point on this, and you may mention that the fact of funding, you know, there's going to be changes with Beaufort County in regards to the property listed that they should help fund any changes to provide access to that very important piece of property.

No, no, it's okay. If you had more on this slide, I just didn't want to, it looked like you were going to change slides and I didn't want to miss the opportunity here. You go ahead first. Okay. Well, it's something that you've all heard before and I'll continue to say it. And I don't see any reference here to making sure that humane way is is improved so that all of the dog walking activity and things that it's used for now is provided for and it's safe. And so before I see it again, I'd like to see that that's incorporated into the improvements on humane way that are necessary.

I'd like to ask, I think it's a good time to ask this because this is a draft, it's conceptual. It's got a lot of different phases it has to go through. So this is us saying, yes, we agree with what we're looking at. But Mark, Mr. Orlando, as the additional sections would come through after engineering, that's when the final decisions would be made. But this is really getting us to a point that we're actually moving forward with it. Is that correct? Yes, sir. Thank you.

So I just wanted to make sure that I'm clear on what you said. Yes, I see that it doesn't touch the Humane Society's property and that it goes through SCDOT. What I just want to make sure that I continually say so that it becomes part of the project is that currently Humane Way is used by volunteers to walk the dogs. And so I want to make sure that a safe the industrial pathway is created on that road so that they can continue the practice that they currently have. And so if that's part of the plan, I just need somebody to put it somewhere so I can stop worrying about it.

Speaking of humane way, you know, and I think it's a great idea to have this local pathway, you know, local roadway to go to, just like Main Street, you know, locals know about Main Street, so they go off on that road when 278 is busy and this can happen again for those wanting to get to Spanish Wells. My question is, Do we have to wait until the flyover is constructed to put this in and make it effective or can it be done sooner so it could become one of those short-term projects that comes earlier?

Yeah, because I'm just thinking about These projects take such a long time, and so it would be great to have some quicker wins of items that could be focused on and people could see real benefit from sooner rather than later.

Let me ask you that because I think that I would imagine that comes through the engineering aspects, the cost analysis, everything. So while seeing the completed scope here, I don't know if the phasing, I think that gets into the operational sides where Mark and team run that and come back with the best laid out for us.

But Brian, as we go through these other ones, if you'll touch on those things that have changed since the last meeting, that would be helpful.

Yeah, just a simple question, I hope, with regard to how the westbound lanes and the lights there, that's part of the sequencing that can be built into an upgraded integrated light system that would not stop everyone while no one is trying to turn left. but allow for free flow unless someone is there. Does that work with that system?

I just wanna make a statement because this will be on our website, correct? I just want people to realize that the road's not gonna be moved. It's not going into any native island or land or any other businesses or anything like that. It's just because of the separation for the purpose of the description here. I just want to be on record so people are aware that the road is not being separated. That's just how we have to draw up the model. That's correct.

So with that plan, I've gotten a couple of questions from the last time this presentation was discussed and folks are worried about the impacts on wetlands on the marsh there and how close The the size of it and how it would really interfere with with some pretty special views and opportunities from coastal discovery, can you tell us a little bit about. the overall feeling there and the size of it and the impact to those areas?

I think that's good information. And I realize that it's yet to be fully understood, but when it is, the size and scope of it we have to be particularly careful if it does go in this area because that salt marsh is more than just, it's a salt marsh, right? It has an emotional impact. It is a, place that we need to make sure that we're protecting and visually from the side where Jarvis Creek is or other communities, we don't want them to be, or anyone, to be driving along and see urbanization, concrete roadways. That's right. All of the things that are important to us need to be protected. Some

I think we've seen it a thousand times. Thank you. Just so y'all know, it's the video flying down 278 across William Hilton or across the bridge through Windmill Harbor down through Spanish Well. So it's the link that's been out there for a couple of years now.

I would just suggest that at some point when it's convenient and maybe at the end that we do play it only because yes, we've seen it, but we have a lot of people who may be new to this conversation and for them, I think it'd be important.

Yeah, I just want to make sure I understand the benefit for evacuation facilities.

And we've been we've talked about this before I just want to make sure that everyone's aware of it it's my understanding that project day. does not get replaced as you move through project D and fly over that so when you're looking at those dollars which anytime i'm happy to support that moving forward, it is not money that will be wasted. it is in place and it adds to the value of the overall project when we get to, should we get to project D?

Yeah. I just want everybody to make sure they remember that it's important, I think.

Yeah, I just had a question on that. So I understand what you're saying. When federal money, either direct or indirect, I'm not sure what indirect means. You have to go through this bigger process. Does that mean we should be very thoughtful about where we ask for federal money versus other funding sources?

I'm not sure it's really the time. I'm not sure if we're going to have a conversation, but if we went back to the project funding paths on the local, I know this is an older slide, but I'd like to make sure that we are including in there the possibility that the municipalities in Beaufort County now have with regard to our own referendum, which I think is significant. Oh, it is there. Okay, there's 866. Okay, well, there's that. Good I wanted to make sure that was there, but. Also, the other question I was a couple other questions that I had as we were going through that information is with th

Okay. And then I heard the dreaded word that I'm always cautious of and would look carefully at with which was strings. I wanna make sure is that we're looking through funding that we're not getting the town wrapped up in any strings that would adversely impact us on other issues. So look really carefully at those, make sure I say that out loud. And then there was another question, which kind of goes back to what I said to begin with, with regard to funding. and that first section that is outside of the town of Hilton Head town limits and how that all interplays with this. Because all of these

I think that we've, as council, we've talked about the desire to see the county pay for that. So I don't think that that's been remiss in the conversations at all. Your point is very well taken. And I think we all agree with that, that for that section, especially to get to Hog Island. It needs to be paid for by Beaufort County, which will come to the discussions at a later date. But I think your point's well taken by all council members.

Thank you for that. And I just want to make sure that that's part of the conversation moving forward and we don't lose sight of it. That's all.

Thank you, I appreciate that, and I know that you have been in contact with SDOT and others about some of these broad concepts, and that's all gone favorably, but the details in that are still unknown to us, and since we are making the recommendation to move forward, more detail than not would be helpful to me. As long as we're all working in that same direction and it's a clearly understood, I'm okay with that, but I'll keep saying it probably.

Absolutely. And when we bring it for resolution to council, that can definitely be part of that resolution as we move forward.

I do want to address, you know, how you started the conversation, and that was a blank slate. We don't have a blank slate.

How does the rest of the council feel? Because here we are, you know, we're a long ways into the design of a project. And Steve, you know, what you have proposed in the past that I've seen, you know, it makes sense. But it goes against, in my opinion, it goes against the no taking of additional lands. And that's something that has been worked very hard on over the years.

Let me ask the question. You know, if we move this forward to a resolution, but within the resolution, there is a section where we address just that, you know, how to create that frontage road. So it becomes a point for us to attain over time, maybe not within the timeframe that we want to attain it, but we still have those plans in play. So, you know, if this was to be adopted next month, does it prevent us from still exploring that? Because it does work and it does alleviate a lot of the issues. And I- Absolutely, I agree with you, Mayor.

Mr. Brown, before I go to you for a second, I want to ask Mr. Kinselman a question. If a frontage road was able to be created between Squire Pope and Spanish Wells or Old Wild Horse, does the pedestrian bridge then become obsolete or is it still needed? It still needs to be there. And that's the point I wanna make is that what we're doing is not going to waste. So as we talk about this, I'm looking at additional transportation system improvement projects. And I will see that listed here with a dotted line or Z or whatever that may be. But it is good conversation and it does solve some issues,

Thank you, I appreciate that very much. I would like to open up for public comment now, and then we can come back and address other comments or questions. So Kim, if you could put a timer up, three minute timer, and then call our first speaker.

Mr. Hoagland, please, you're not, you're supposed to be on subject, sir.

So I would like to remind everybody that we... Mr. Hoagland, please stop. I'd like to remind everybody that when we have public comment on agenda items, you stay on agenda, please.

That's all we have. Thank you. So other comments from council? Mr. Alfred.

Mr. Landau, I saw you had your mic on for a second. No, okay. Other comments? Mr. Brown.

Thank you. So I think that those additional items are not necessarily part of the resolution moving forward, but those are additional items that will be coming forward for additional considerations.

I'm fine. I just wanted to make sure that if Melinda wants to jump in that she gets a chance. I know you're okay. All right. Well, there's a lot here and a few notes that I've taken that don't have answers to them. I'm going to start with saying working with SCDOT, working to to solve some of the problems that we have in the areas where additional transportation system improvements have been suggested. I wanted to thank the town manager and staff because in working together, we have had a good collaboration with solving safety and traffic issues on Folly Field Road. And I think that that's the

So there's a lot to unpack here. We've had a lot of great discussions. One of the things that I think it's important for us to acknowledge and I think we have is that this package alone does not solve all of our traffic related issues. But it focuses on one key area. And that was a decision that was made in regards to the scope and that's why we're here today. So I appreciate that we are acknowledging that there are other related issues, traffic issues. and concerns, and that is in the back of the package. And I think that's important for people to understand that although we have identified a

Thank you. So I wanna talk about the right in and right out real quick, because we can do that today, right? If that's the direction that is decided, you can stop the left-hand turns at the lights, right? So there's an option, even down the road, keeping the lights there. If we do, you know, whatever it is that we do, you still have that option. I wanna talk really about And we've had this conversation before, bureaucracy versus policy versus process. Policy and process center around your community and all of your people in your community and all of your residents. Policy process takes a lot o

always um so to a point that you made and I think it was a good one to make in terms of the we and the project that have been being worked on I think that it was clear to me in Clarity um that we have been conflating two different things right so when we talk about this project we often talk about it since 2017, whenever it was that we put together that committee. And so we think about the bridge. But what we're currently talking about is the master plan, which is different. And so people should take a moment distinguish that for themselves in their minds in terms of process and progress. But

Yeah, and I would say that we did because there's money, there's some money budgeted for some of this. But I think with the resolution, we can direct it then at that time.

So the resolution should be very specific in that regard.

Awesome. Thank you all. It's been a good meeting. Brian Dillon, thank you all for everything that you've put into this over the years. And thank you. All right, we're adjourned. Our pleasure.