[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6668537,"mediaKeyId","2220361-9c9bf88d7fa0d88035b39782fb76662d","parentId",2220361,"title","Town officials summarize six SCDOT options for William Hilton Parkway bridge; joint public meeting set","audioSeconds",1038,"startMs",908000,"endMs",1946000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220361-9c9bf88d7fa0d88035b39782fb76662d&start=908&end=1946","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220361-9c9bf88d7fa0d88035b39782fb76662d/thumbnail_908000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6668537/Hilton-Head-Island/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Town-officials-summarize-six-SCDOT-options-for-William-Hilton-Parkway-bridge-joint-public-meeting-set","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668537-a4ee7129428346c2ebedf1320c78f7c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190348&Signature=mGL850NDcgE4Jo2o8HswX7PFIoec20iy~51mLqELLN9IlSBRDkJKtfHgCgPEQ3uAEz1RKSraMlXKGbUPh5w-ObrxVvTm9FdbEmdqfTEB2vSMM32pbk53xi5N4NzlE5VB~GBYhxr2HCjiWnkTvWV5Lnxh4xaGJwkDjmJjCpkMBvdnFU2amDT0tTUnu8V7LcTx3R7TEjW8fnIG5zSYANIqfEveyquQZ40bvi8DEU3QS825OVspYxr8qKj4UfS-meREWW~5RhNS2hMY4iGwhpAMqp-yCTc5jZdTAKi3xNjcY~T1VWWs9f4tleZ9Y4CMsuTePE4J6zZWXT9xVsU~8DOJGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hilton Head Island","date","2025-02-05T01:10:20.61Z","article","Town officials on Feb. 4 summarized a meeting with the South Carolina Department of Transportation that presented six options for work on the William Hilton Parkway gateway corridor, including partial and full bridge-replacement approaches and alternatives that would add a multi‑use bike and pedestrian path.

The briefing, given by Assistant Town Manager Sean Cohen, said SCDOT described so‑called “lifeline” options that would replace the eastbound bridge; some options would be built as three-lane structures but striped for two lanes initially, while others would extend three-lane sections farther through the project corridor. Estimated ballpark costs reported by SCDOT ranged from roughly $258 million for an eastbound-only replacement without a multi‑use path to approximately $467 million for a full project, Cohen said. The town’s presentation included a mid‑range option that would add a multi‑use path for about $320–$340 million and intermediate cost estimates for 3‑lane treatments through Spanish Wells Road.

Cohen said SCDOT attributed part of the difference between earlier project estimates and current numbers to widespread project‑cost escalation, which SCDOT staff estimated at about a 70% increase in recent years. SCDOT noted design‑build procurement could produce cost savings and clarified that utility relocation, governed by South Carolina law, is eligible for state participation up to statutory caps and that remaining relocation costs could be borne by local funding allocations.

On tolling and reversible lanes, Cohen told council SCDOT said state statute does not permit placing a toll on an existing free facility and that SCDOT opposes reversible lanes on safety and operational grounds. Cohen also said SCDOT indicated that touching down on Pinkney Island or adding mid‑island landings would increase cost and have environmental and safety implications, and that certain corridor options that extend through the Stony community and Spanish Wells Road would take longer to deliver.

SCDOT suggested coordinating future phases through the Lowcountry Area Transportation Study and recommended that the town and Beaufort County submit a joint resolution to the State Infrastructure Bank describing project scope and funding strategy in advance of the bank’s March 31 deadline. Cohen said Beaufort County would also need to revise an intergovernmental agreement tied to the SIB award.

Why it matters: the William Hilton Parkway corridor is the island’s principal east–west connector and a focus of long‑range planning; the chosen option will affect multimodal access, environmental mitigation, right‑of‑way needs and project timing. Cohen gave an estimated permitting, design and right‑of‑way timeline that could reach roughly 32 months to be ready to construct under SCDOT’s early estimates, with construction then an additional 24–36 months depending on the selected option.

The town and county plan a joint public meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Buckwalter Recreation Center to review the SCDOT proposals, funding options and next steps and to solicit public comment. Cohen told council he would make the SCDOT summary and graphics available on the town website after the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting - Tuesday, February 4, 2025 @ 3pm","oneSentenceSummary","Town officials on Feb. 4 summarized a meeting with the South Carolina Department of Transportation that presented six options for the William Hilton Parkway gateway corridor, including isolated bridge replacement and a full corridor rebuild, and scheduled a joint town–county public meeting for Feb. 12.","taxTitle","Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina","taxId",5068,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668523,"Council authorizes manager to accept permits for beach renourishment; USFWS condition adds a small year‑round dog restriction area",1698,4982000,6680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220361-9c9bf88d7fa0d88035b39782fb76662d&start=4982&end=6680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220361-9c9bf88d7fa0d88035b39782fb76662d/thumbnail_4982000.jpg","/articles/6668523/Hilton-Head-Island/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Council-authorizes-manager-to-accept-permits-for-beach-renourishment-USFWS-condition-adds-a-small-yearround-dog-restriction-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668523-ad8acf67f8b53de7c9259a54b1e5d8de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190348&Signature=IWtYfADxgOzWOm-P~u8zoInD77NDNeEjiipHHCcQgskUJC1ZV0vYuVDPCTjrudygq5YzI8IWdHTVxCPQDLl2wMoybtg7EMthma6z5ANcIIlLJbP-bvxoqK5mmxdf1Bt4FaovwbDkOLTIq535Z4q44Fe8W1ZnzJAAP4wfHBFB8jsOegDKOXy5XMl5ZKQ3E8muC7VPa2ywEv21CqxlIz8i4ChpiwxUThda35~YrMaoiIfqVAc~3Gn5P~MgMiPmXd84CYV3RM5UzhnyFPF3Cx7E3aXZ~4m3zv3J5n7mj95irB84r77oOUK1fmvKcaismnl7CvGVY-PVwwT7YAAIG-diSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council on Feb. 4 authorized the town manager to sign and accept the state and federal permits required to advance a planned beach renourishment project, including Army Corps of Engineers and South Carolina permit approvals.

Assistant Town Manager Sean Cohen told council that the town had been working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Corps on a draft biological opinion required under the Endangered Species Act. The draft included a term that would have required a year‑round dog ban across several shoreline areas; after negotiation and technical review, Fish and Wildlife revised the opinion and the restricted area was narrowed to a smaller, hatched zone at the mouth of Fish HaIl Creek and an adjacent shoal area. Cohen said the revised area no longer includes Pine Island Beach and that the portion near the Fish HaIl Park access is about 600 feet in total extent and represents a sensitive roosting and foraging area for migratory shorebirds.

Cohen said the proposed permit term requires the town to adopt a revised shorebird conservation management plan and to install signage and buoys delineating the restricted zone above the spring high‑tide line and at mid/low tide lines, with an education campaign coordinated with Fish and Wildlife and local shorebird partners. The permit and associated biological opinion also restates standard monitoring obligations — roosting and habitat surveys, shorebird and sea‑turtle monitoring, and contractor oversight to avoid impacts to wildlife during construction.

Cohen told council that Fish and Wildlife has incorporated the town’s input to shrink the restricted footprint and remove Pine Island Beach from the restriction area; the town will need to amend the municipal code (section 8‑1‑211 or similar) to codify the year‑round dog restriction in the hatched area before construction can begin. Staff said they expected to receive final permits in the coming weeks and that construction windows under the biological opinion would allow work in summer months (Fish and Wildlife initially set a June–October window), although Cohen warned that bidding and contract timing could push the work later in the season.

Councilmembers emphasized the need for a communications plan and asked for details about survey and monitoring obligations and funding; staff said monitoring and compliance costs would be part of the project work and would be discussed further at a planned workshop on Feb. 25. Council voted 7–0 to authorize the town manager to accept permits and proceed with bidding and project scheduling steps.

Why it matters: the permit conditions obligate the town to implement a narrow, permanent dog‑restriction area and enhanced monitoring and signage as conditions of federal and state approval, affecting beach users but intended to offset impacts to threatened shorebirds as part of the renourishment project.","Town Council on Feb. 4 authorized the town manager to accept Army Corps and state permits required for a beach renourishment project; U.S. Fish and Wildlife, as part of the biological opinion, included a condition requiring a permanent, year‑round dog restriction in a narrowly defined area near Fish HaIl Creek.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668528,"Council advances noise‑control amendment to limit construction to 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Saturday",1873,3197000,5070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220361-9c9bf88d7fa0d88035b39782fb76662d&start=3197&end=5070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220361-9c9bf88d7fa0d88035b39782fb76662d/thumbnail_3197000.jpg","/articles/6668528/Hilton-Head-Island/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Council-advances-noisecontrol-amendment-to-limit-construction-to-7-am7-pm-MondaySaturday","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668528-5193dfabbc6aee4c3c48c0775324bf49/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190348&Signature=JJfrzkQx5kohMkoaXJqa89APuPJtGLxzVxIXHG4t1GZOliOdL-NAREdWCsSnPAuvfZM-fE7LNWHwnqdP3WdgcZ0dykPKDMUCq-1BCYu6RenEd08NwLXOkP2A0urbnl2SREYiEKxh2f8FF0Kkxd3GLhAFsRmRMmCowT95Pfn9SSA58kT3UXH7v0cZCoObbGYO3F7CgfWX-NzW0yXOZ2XqnHx~kBXkEJAUz9LyjaYXMKcjI9UQ1eJEQq4ZcbqCHxPzLdyQIMxhNxDC8rW9oDLTPPS~GOZ6dxNb6RgXime~BVzwPO20BVw5tNXvMZ7eyNEi3J~APIc4wmPyIqudzX9PVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hilton Head Island Town Council on Feb. 4 advanced a change to the municipal noise ordinance that narrows the hours for construction and other related activity to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding specified holidays.

Planning Director Missy Lueck told council the amendment responds to complaints about construction noise spilling into adjacent properties and seeks to align the town’s daytime construction hours with those used inside many planned development communities. Under the proposed change, “daytime” as it relates to construction would be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (the staff proposal initially allowed “sunset” as an alternative); council amended the proposal during debate to specify a strict 7 a.m.–7 p.m. window.

Council and staff discussed how the ordinance applies to commercial contractors and to noncommercial private‑property activity such as a homeowner mowing a lawn: the revision retains an exemption for noncommercial activity, and Lueck said the change actually adds one hour (previously noncommercial private activity was limited to 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Saturday) while preserving noise‑level limits referenced in the code. Council members also raised questions about whether the change would conflict with existing private planned‑community (POA/PUD) covenants; staff said the town ordinance applies across the town and that planned communities with their own rules would also need to be in compliance with town regulations.

Council discussed the operational side — how exceptions would be granted for emergencies or specialized events, and whether the town manager could grant permits for necessary work outside the hours. Town staff and the town attorney said the ordinance includes an exceptions process by permit for urgent public‑safety or convenience needs and that the town manager could issue such permits.

After debate, Councilmember Steve Alfred moved, and Councilwoman Tammy Becker seconded, to advance first reading with a change specifying 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Council voted 7–0 to move the ordinance forward for the second reading with that revision.

Why it matters: the amendment reduces evening construction hours compared with the current daytime window, aligns municipal rules with many gated planned communities and codifies exemptions and a permitting pathway for emergencies or special events. The change will affect contractors, landscapers, and residents outside gated communities and is designed to standardize expectations across the island.","After a lengthy discussion of construction noise, the Town Council approved first reading on changes to the municipal noise ordinance to align construction hours with many planned development communities: construction activity will be restricted to 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, excluding listed holidays, with noncommercial activity also",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668533,"Council approves easement for South Island PSD water main; 23 trees to be removed, 14 live oaks proposed for mitigation",744,2370000,3114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220361-9c9bf88d7fa0d88035b39782fb76662d&start=2370&end=3114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220361-9c9bf88d7fa0d88035b39782fb76662d/thumbnail_2370000.jpg","/articles/6668533/Hilton-Head-Island/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Council-approves-easement-for-South-Island-PSD-water-main-23-trees-to-be-removed-14-live-oaks-proposed-for-mitigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668533-ac3963a04e92d3cdfa33f07b7a661b3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190348&Signature=JnpBmxt9JHz-OiS2B~tDwge5vB5503IfzOFrp3Hf1~hCzzOJ9bmd3wy0PBhhA-OHJp~pffVXAQqNGnpgRgqS03LeNL4~US8v7UgNi1ANh4-iux1pa7vubqkoyE-1h-Z75TybghpOhREAhKYPp0Qc~fx2AMrS0~~AusPSnz1mnyIEeWcf~oBDuuDDXUU-Du~vSWD3wy0eVuZo17szntWDSVik-5m-hoz~esm7tC5qWoa-iho7i5S~tpTQayKVPEn07dQlfzh-f22IH7hsC6V9lkHG-7vKUROE75vmhKM95BJvOJdbxgAee820Ri64LreeBI-kPDfdGoc7LHdXh8gZEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hilton Head Island Town Council on Feb. 4 approved second and final reading of an ordinance granting easements to the South Island Public Service District (PSD) to allow installation of water infrastructure across town property.

Town staff told council the ordinance had been approved on first reading on Jan. 14 with additional information requested about tree removal and mitigation. The project area is adjacent to Wexford Drive where an existing drainage ditch and water line alignment are located. Staff said PSD’s construction approach would use open trenching rather than extensive boring because PSD judged trenching to have less overall impact on trees for the work zone.

Staff presented a tree removal list and a mitigation plan. The plan identifies 23 trees to be removed; four are oak species, one of which was listed as diseased, and a single significant live oak near William Hilton Parkway — a roughly 20‑inch diameter tree — was noted as likely to be removed. The mitigation proposal conditions the permit on replanting 14 live oaks (4‑inch caliper, 10 feet tall at planting) and additional understory/buffer plantings along Dunnigan’s Allen and William Hilton Parkway to screen the work area as trees establish. Planning staff said the town’s current land‑management replacement standard is 2‑inch caliper replacement trees and the PSD plan would double that minimum and require larger (4‑inch) caliper and taller plantings.

Public comment included a speaker who expressed concern about the live oak removals and asked about the construction and replanting timeline. A PSD representative said mobilization to the site would likely occur in about six months, with two months of on‑site work and replanting expected to follow; PSD and staff committed to a planting window aimed at fall planting.

Councilmember Tammy Becker said the larger caliper replacement and buffers were important; several council members thanked staff and PSD for the mitigation plan. The council voted 7–0 to adopt the ordinance on second and final reading.

Why it matters: the easement enables a water infrastructure project for the island’s south end but requires removal of town trees; the permit conditions increase the size of replacement specimens beyond the normal minimum and add buffer plantings intended to restore screening and canopy over time.","Hilton Head Island council gave final approval to an ordinance granting easements to the South Island Public Service District to install infrastructure. The project will remove 23 trees on town property; staff and PSD proposed a mitigation plan to replant 14 live oaks plus buffer plantings and larger caliper trees than standard code requirements.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668518,"Council remands hotel‑to‑housing text amendment to Planning Commission after public debate",6633,6597000,13230000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220361-9c9bf88d7fa0d88035b39782fb76662d&start=6597&end=13230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220361-9c9bf88d7fa0d88035b39782fb76662d/thumbnail_6597000.jpg","/articles/6668518/Hilton-Head-Island/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Council-remands-hoteltohousing-text-amendment-to-Planning-Commission-after-public-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668518-dca872e58e319d4796e30434dbfd2e97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190348&Signature=JNO0l7sJ1lJAsvjjlP8-ivqa4e8B7Si2gGrArfE~2nMg9O9zIehuvgdO2kYuwmnpq01AaNX0M-MtmeNjClEWh2L3mu8YYnE8Q~jklPIDcEM38rTMkC8-VDucBVY62eUHPZ6n6wl382THDdU-5RcY6QiDEze1U2NDTJsF4ZS~R1bs5Lv70~D~zgKb2sBLm1ybuBIheQs1TAVapv0Sgm12uXqeyDnYupEoBmEaSxKcvjSz7spI3Z9-sLUsEPmTLFeU6Pq~iqNdskyky7VpAf2B4oXTYTUTVpj0nLZq9n3IZb2UUpjbt4IVNiYD33a4VhYyxoaAv96vUtrRuWjWJyqcwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hilton Head Island’s Town Council on Feb. 4 remanded a proposed text amendment that would allow adaptive reuse conversions of existing hotels and motels into multifamily housing back to the Planning Commission for further review and revisions.

The application, submitted by Blue Hour Housing and presented by applicant representative Chris Breen, proposed a stand‑alone LMO section to allow conversion of existing hotel guest rooms to dwelling units on a one‑to‑one basis in specified zoning districts and to set minimum unit sizes (micro efficiency, studio, one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom sizes). The proposal included a 1:1 guest‑room to dwelling‑unit conversion ratio, parking at one space per former guest room, a 6% cap on interior communal space and a 10% cap on exterior common space, and a requirement that a portion of units be occupied by workers employed on the island (the applicant later proposed moving that requirement from 25% to 75%). The applicant said the amendment would enable conversion of underperforming hotels into workforce housing with minimal town subsidy.

Planning staff presented their own priority LMO amendments and said the staff had concerns about minimum standards, neighborhood impacts, density and unit sizes; the Planning Commission held a public hearing on Jan. 15 and voted to recommend denial while urging staff and the applicant to work toward a joint solution. Dozens of members of the public spoke at the council meeting; commenters raised concerns about the applicant’s experience and financial track record, occupancy and management controls, potential for increased crime or overcrowding, the small unit sizes proposed, parking, and whether the conversions would meet town workforce‑housing standards.

During council debate two motions were considered. Councilmember Steve Alfred moved to remand the application to the Planning Commission for further review; Councilmember Patsy Bryson seconded the remand motion. Earlier, Councilmember Tammy Becker moved to deny the applicant’s text amendment as submitted; that amendment was put to a vote and failed on a 3–4 tally. After further discussion the remand motion passed 4–3.

Why it matters: the proposal raises zoning and housing policy questions about density, livability (minimum unit sizes and communal space), workforce housing compliance and how to vet private‑sector proposals for adaptive reuse. Council’s remand instructs Planning Commission and staff to continue work on appropriate standards and safeguards before the proposal returns to council.","An applicant-proposed text amendment to allow hotel and motel conversions into multifamily housing was sent back to the Planning Commission for further review after public comment and discussion. Planning Commission had recommended denial; council voted 4–3 to remand the proposal for additional work with staff and the applicant.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town officials summarize six SCDOT options for William Hilton Parkway bridge; joint public meeting set

Council authorizes manager to accept permits for beach renourishment; USFWS condition adds a small year‑round dog restriction area

Council advances noise‑control amendment to limit construction to 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Saturday

Council approves easement for South Island PSD water main; 23 trees to be removed, 14 live oaks proposed for mitigation

Council remands hotel‑to‑housing text amendment to Planning Commission after public debate