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Council approves land conveyance to support 120 units of workforce housing with Beaufort Memorial
Summary
After a public hearing and debate over affordability metrics, Beaufort County Council approved an ordinance conveying county land for a workforce-housing project administered with Beaufort Memorial and a third party; staff said protections include a 30-year affordability period and recoupment language.
Beaufort County Council on March 10 approved an ordinance to convey county-owned land for development of workforce housing and medical office space near Buckwalter Parkway, a measure the county framed as a public‑private step toward producing about 120 workforce units.
County staff described the ordinance as cleanup language to the original conveyance that adds clear time-bound restrictions and recoupment language: the affordable‑housing obligation would be protected for 30 years and, if breached, the county could recoup fair market value for the land. Staff and council members said the units will target households at roughly 40–80% of area median income (AMI). One council member summarized that range as including many typical local occupations: grocery workers, teachers, first responders and service industry staff.
During the public hearing, a local resident opposed giving county land to Beaufort Memorial Hospital (a not‑for‑profit hospital) and asked how affordability would be defined and guaranteed. Council members and staff responded: the developer/partner sought state tax credits to make the project feasible; the seller discounted the land during purchase; the county will not directly fund the construction but will convey land to support the partnership. Council members cited the combined partners and funding mechanisms as making the 120‑unit workforce project viable without the county building the units itself.
Council then took a vote to approve the ordinance. Supporters described the measure as a major workforce-housing effort for a high-cost commercial area and emphasized partner contributions; critics asked for more transparency on affordability metrics and safeguards.
What happens next: with third reading completed, the county will move forward as spelled out in the ordinance; administrative staff will monitor compliance with the 30‑year affordability restriction and recoupment provisions if required.
Provenance: staff synopsis, public hearing testimony, council member questions and the recorded vote on ordinance 2025/08.
