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Council accepts Beaufort County School District annexation petition; referral to negotiating committee set
Summary
Council accepted a 100% annexation petition from Beaufort County School District for 24.1 acres near Bluffton Parkway; after discussion the council voted to refer negotiating details to the town's negotiating committee rather than forgoing negotiation.
Bluffton — The Town Council on March 11 voted to accept a 100 percent annexation petition from the Beaufort County School District for roughly 24.1 acres adjacent to River Ridge Academy, and the council directed that negotiating details be handled by the town’s negotiating committee.
The petition covers land at 1105 Bluffton Parkway (24.1 acres), including a vacant house and a large pond that staff described as a former borrow pit. The district seeks annexation so the property can be used for school purposes; the parcel is currently zoned county T2 but the school district cannot build a school under that county designation, staff said.
Town staff recommended assigning a residential general zoning (the same zoning as the existing River Ridge Academy property) if annexed, which staff said matches the pattern of other school sites in town. Staff also noted the annexation application does not include a detailed site plan; if annexed the district would proceed with design and a concurrent zoning map amendment and site-specific review.
Several council members asked whether alternative zoning or a development agreement could be used to limit future residential development in the event the district later chose to sell the land rather than build a school. Town legal counsel explained that conditioning a legislative rezoning on future promises can raise constitutional “contract zoning” issues, though development agreements are an established exception in state law and could be explored. Council directed staff to discuss options with the school district.
Councilmember motioned to accept the annexation petition; the motion passed unanimously. A subsequent motion to forgo referral of the petition to the negotiating committee failed; the tally produced a 3–2 vote in favor of sending the matter to the negotiating committee. Council instructed staff to work with the negotiating committee and report back before any first and second reading votes on annexation and zoning.
The annexation process will continue with Planning Commission workshops and public hearings, followed by council first and second readings if negotiations and staff review proceed to that point.
