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Green Space Committee presents spreadsheet of projects; committee seeks periodic council briefings
Summary
Mike McShane, chair of Beaufort County’s Green Space Committee, presented a spreadsheet of projects and due‑diligence statuses by region and proposed a regular reporting cadence to county council. Committee members discussed outreach to towns and reappointments for regional seats.
Beaufort County’s Green Space Committee chair Mike McShane briefed County Council on May 27 about active land‑conservation projects, a living project spreadsheet and committee membership timelines.
McShane said the spreadsheet — arranged by the ordinance’s four regions (northern, eastern, southern and western) — lists projects approved for due diligence, amounts requested, and items that have completed council approvals. He noted the committee will update the document periodically and recommended quarterly briefings to council, with staff providing copies on request.
McShane highlighted the Gregory Neck project in Jasper County as an example of an out‑of‑county application the committee has considered. He also explained committee composition: the ordinance created a seven‑member panel with four regional seats and three at‑large seats (one geographic seat tied to county council, one delegation seat; the regional seats were initially timed so half of them are not yet eligible for reappointment). The geographic and delegation seats are eligible for reappointment June 30.
Council members asked about a Buckwalter Park application in the western region; McShane said staff has reached out repeatedly to the town but has not received a response and the committee will “suspend it” until the applicant responds.
Why it matters
Green Space projects involve public funds and land‑conservation decisions that can affect development rights, public access and future capital spending. McShane told council that he intends the spreadsheet to be a living document and said the committee can bring recommendations on reappointments and project prioritization back to council.
Ending
Council accepted the update and asked staff to provide the spreadsheet as requested. McShane said the committee will meet June 13 in Bluffton and continue due‑diligence work with staff.
