Hilton Head Island council adopts long-term lease for Sandalwood Community Food Pantry

Hilton Head Island’s Town Council voted March 18 to adopt an ordinance authorizing a long-term lease of town-owned property on Augusta Lane to the Sandalwood Community Food Pantry.

The ordinance, presented on second and final reading, was moved by Councilwoman Bridal and seconded by Miss Alfred. After a public comment in support, the council carried the motion 6 to 1.

Janet Pearson, who identified herself during public comment as someone who has fed hundreds of people, thanked the mayor and town staff and urged council support for the pantry. "This will be a resilient pantry surrounded by nature," Pearson said, adding that "every tree will be protected." The recorded minutes show the council noted no changes had been made to the ordinance since its first reading on March 4.

The council’s action authorizes town staff to execute and deliver a long-term lease with the Sandalwood Community Food Pantry for the specified Augusta Lane property; the ordinance had passed first reading March 4 by a 6–1 vote, and council members confirmed no substantive amendments were introduced at second reading.

The meeting record does not list individual roll-call votes on the second-reading motion; the council announced the tally as 6–1. No effective date or lease term details were provided during the public proceedings and are recorded as not specified in the meeting discussion. Any implementation steps, including execution of lease documents or required town staff approvals, were not detailed in the council’s on-the-record remarks.

The council moved on to non-agenda public comments after adopting the ordinance and then signaled a planned executive session for later agenda items.