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Hardeeville council accepts $260,000 to satisfy affordable‑housing obligation tied to large development
Summary
The Hardeeville City Council on Jan. 8 approved a resolution accepting a $260,000 payment from TrueBridge Bluff to terminate a memorandum of understanding requiring an affordable‑housing project for a 2,200‑acre development, and authorized city staff to execute related documents ahead of a pending property sale to Minto.
The Hardeeville City Council on Jan. 8 voted to accept a $260,000 cash payment from TrueBridge Bluff to satisfy an affordable‑housing obligation in a memorandum of understanding tied to a roughly 2,200‑acre development, clearing a legal hurdle for the property's pending sale to Minto for an expansion of Margaritaville.
The payment represents 2 percent of the 2,600 dwelling units that were originally entitled for the site, multiplied by $5,000 per unit, Rob Brann, an attorney representing TrueBridge Bluff, told the council. “We would like to offer to pay that fund to you that could be used for other projects … for a total of $260,000,” Brann said, adding his client has arranged private financing so the money can be delivered by closing next Wednesday.
Why it matters: The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and TrueBridge Bluff required two things when the property was annexed and zoned in June 2022: participation in a regional traffic study and the provision of an affordable‑housing multifamily project. The traffic‑study obligation has been largely satisfied — Brann said about $250,000 has been paid with roughly $25,000 due at closing — while the housing obligation was not feasible to develop before the scheduled sale.
City staff presented a draft resolution, numbered 2025‑01‑8a, that would terminate the MOU once the payment is received and authorize the city manager to execute termination and related agreements. Mr. Gruber, a city staff member who opened the item for discussion, confirmed the resolution language calls for placing the funds in a land‑acquisition account targeted toward workforce housing. “We'll place it likely in the land acquisition account, but ultimately use it with an eye towards acquiring property specifically for a workforce housing project,” Mr. Gruber said.
Council members responded positively to the cash‑in‑lieu proposal during the discussion. Councilmember Steve Meersman said he was “very comfortable with the $260,000,” and another councilmember suggested the funds be restricted for purchase of property for affordable housing and mentioned Habitat‑related projects as one possible use.
Action taken: A motion to approve Resolution 2025‑01‑8a passed on a voice vote; the ayes were not recorded by name. The resolution authorizes the termination of the MOU upon receipt of the stated payment and authorizes the city manager to execute agreements necessary to document the termination and accept the funds.
Background and next steps: The property was annexed and zoned into the city in June 2022, and the developer proffered up to 2,600 dwelling units; the development plan was revised and approved in January 2024 after Minto expressed interest in purchasing the site. TrueBridge Bluff told the council it could not develop a multifamily affordable project before closing and proposed the cash payment as an alternative. If the payment is delivered at closing as stated, the city staff will execute the termination documents and place the money in the designated account for workforce‑housing land acquisition.
No public commenters spoke on the item at the meeting. The council adjourned following the vote.
