Beaufort County Council approves land purchases, tax, and funding measures; several first/second readings advanced

Beaufort County Council on Hilton Head Island approved a series of ordinances and resolutions on Feb. 10, 2025, covering land purchases and easements, leases, right‑of‑way acquisitions, and funding contributions to the town of Hilton Head Island and state boat‑landing funds. Council also advanced several economic development measures to later readings and authorized settlement agreements in executive session.

The council approved a third‑reading text amendment (2025/2) to allow lodging and short‑term rentals in designated Dale zoning districts; Councilman Bartholomew moved the measure and it passed after Councilman Dawson recused himself from voting. The measure had been considered in committee and at prior readings.

The council adopted an ordinance authorizing the administrator to accept rights of way and temporary construction easements for the Steward Road/Stewart Point Road sidewalk project (third reading). The measure passed unanimously by show of hands.

Council approved a lease agreement (ordinance 2025/4) allowing the Mitchellville Preservation Project to occupy Suite 134 and Suite 142 at 539 William Hilton Parkway on Hilton Head Island. The measure passed unanimously.

Several economic development items tied to “Project Micro,” an aerospace company planning local investment and jobs, were advanced: an ordinance placing land purchased by Project Micro into a multi‑county industrial park was advanced at second reading (public hearing set for third reading on Feb. 10) and a related special‑source revenue credit agreement was introduced (first reading) and scheduled for later action.

On land conservation and green‑space matters, council approved funding and purchase measures including (summaries below): - a conservation easement purchase on Seaside Road (9.3 acres) for $374,000 through the Rural and Critical Lands program; the county accepted the recommendation of the Rural and Critical Lands board after appraisal and due diligence; - a fee‑simple purchase of a 40‑acre parcel on Davis Road in Bluffton, described by staff as a critical link near the Okeetee Regional Park network; - two funding resolutions to contribute to the town of Hilton Head Island for the Jonesville Road Track (not to exceed $2,187,000) and the William Hilton Parkway parcels (not to exceed $1,464,200), each carrying conditions that future grant proceeds or right‑of‑way proceeds return to the green space fund as appropriate; - acceptance of a state appropriation (South Carolina act referenced in packet) of $1,200,000 for the All Joy boat landing improvement project.

The council also took a first reading on an ordinance conveying or amending terms for an affordable housing/medical office project in Bluffton (333 and 335 Buckwalter Parkway) and approved language changes related to a county conveyance to reflect a limited duration standard (e.g., a 30‑year public‑benefit term) for a proposed Woda Cooper / hospital allied affordable housing project.

After an executive session, the council authorized staff to finalize settlement agreements in two litigation matters: Sanders/Sheppard v. Beaufort County Parks and Recreation and Cheryl A. Mundy et al. v. Beaufort County (and related SCIRF matter). The council authorized the county administrator to execute settlement documents; settlement amounts and terms were discussed in executive session and are recorded as “as discussed in executive session.”

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Ordinance 2025/2 (text amendment permitting short‑term lodging in Dale districts): motion by Councilman Bartholomew; Dawson recused; outcome: approved. - Steward Road sidewalk easements ordinance (third reading): motion carried; outcome: approved unanimously. - Mitchellville Preservation Project lease (William Hilton Parkway suites): outcome: approved unanimously. - Project Micro – industrial park inclusion (second reading): advanced; public hearing set for next third reading. - Project Micro – special source revenue credit (first reading): advanced to later reading. - Seaside Road conservation easement (R30002830...): motion to provide funding and accept easement; outcome: approved; county staff and Open Land Trust to hold/manage easement. - Davis Road fee simple purchase (R600...): motion to acquire in fee simple; outcome: approved. - Jonesville Road Track funding resolution (to Town of Hilton Head Island): motion amended to require grant proceeds to return to green space fund and to permit staff to work with the applicant on grants; outcome: approved. - William Hilton Pkwy parcels funding resolution (to Town of Hilton Head Island): outcome: approved (not to exceed $1,464,200; condition that any right‑of‑way proceeds return to green space fund). - All Joy boat landing state funds acceptance (Act appropriation): $1,200,000 accepted; outcome: approved.

Council members used show‑of‑hands votes for most measures; several items had been vetted in committee and at prior readings. Where a councilor recused, the record shows the recusal at roll‑call moments during readings. No ordinance failures were recorded in the public portion of the meeting.

The council adjourned after executive session business.