Neighbors cite safety, noise and docking problems as board approves Daufuskie short‑term rental permit

The Beaufort County Zoning Board of Appeals voted to approve a short‑term rental permit for a house at 16 Bluff on Daufuskie Island after neighbors described speeding, noisy parties and boat‑docking conflicts near their homes.

The permit, requested by property owners Matthew Roberts and Nathan Purvis and presented by attorney Robert Fountain, allows the house to operate as a short‑term rental under the county’s rules. County staff recommended approval. The board approved the application by voice vote after public comment and brief responses from the applicant and the county.

Neighbor Catherine Lamas, who said her family owns the adjacent property, told the board the neighborhood road is a narrow, two‑lane rock road and described repeated trips by rental guests and maintenance crews. “They speed down the road,” Lamas said, and added she is worried for her grandchildren’s safety. Amy Menzie, who said she lives “next door to it, 3 feet away,” said she had to recover a loose boat from her dock after a rented boat came free and struck her moored boat.

Robert Fountain, representing the applicants, said the owner and manager have posted the permit request and that Daufuskie Rental Group will manage the property. Fountain told the board the Daufuskie Island Council supports short‑term rentals on the island and that the property has a four‑night minimum, does not allow dogs and uses only electric golf carts. Fountain said the property allows one boat per rental and that trash pickup is provided twice weekly. “We don’t want any safety issues either,” he said, and added managers live on the island and will provide a contact number on the property.

Board members pressed the applicant and manager about parking and boat access and heard from county staff that there are no covenants or other restrictions that would bar approval. After discussion, a board member moved to approve the permit; another member seconded the motion and the board voted in favor.

The board’s approval included the conditions described during the hearing: a four‑night minimum stay, a no‑dogs restriction, management by Daufuskie Rental Group, a one‑boat‑per‑rental limit and two golf‑cart parking/charging spaces under the house. The record indicates the permit was approved by a voice vote; a roll‑call tally was not provided in the transcript.

The public comment period and the applicant’s responses are part of the record; the board did not add further restrictions beyond those discussed at the hearing.