Planning commission recommends rezoning of multiple Beaufort County parcels to protect conservation lands

The Beaufort County Planning Commission on Wednesday recommended that County Council approve zoning map amendments to reclassify multiple county‑owned parcels as T1 Nature Preserve (T1NP), a staff‑backed housekeeping change to reflect conservation easements and fee‑simple purchases.

Planning staff said the rezoning covers numerous small tracts — including the Adams Tract, Amgray, Boundary Street Vista, Bermuda Bluff, Blocker extension, Shellpoint, Altamaha Town Heritage Preserve extension, Baxter, Camp Saint Mary’s, the Jeter property, Barrel Landing, Davis Road connector and the south parcel of Okeetee River Park — and that the changes are consistent with the comprehensive plan and intended to protect conservation values. "Staff recommends approval," a presenter said during the description of the parcels.

Residents who live near several parcels urged the commission to consider public‑safety features and additional acquisitions. Jane Smith, who lives on Bermuda Bluff Road, told commissioners the spit behind her neighborhood is frequently used for fishing and sunsets but that "our biggest concern is gunfire," saying people sometimes discharge firearms there and existing small 'no hunting' signs do not address weapons discharge. Ken Wilson, a neighbor, asked for a greater sheriff presence and signage that explicitly references weapon discharge rather than using the term 'hunting.'

County staff and the planning director, Stephanie Nagid, responded that enforcement of weapons on county lands is primarily a law‑enforcement function and cited Beaufort County Code chapter 91 while noting state law limits. Nagid said deputies can be asked to remove individuals from county property when violations occur and that signage and park management (including possible closures or gates) would be considered as part of the park planning process: "That will be part of the public input process when I do the planning for the park."

Tom Sharkey, another nearby resident, supported the rezoning but urged the county and the Open Land Trust to pursue acquisition of three narrow adjacent private lots to protect Bridal Creek and reduce trespassing; he said an engineering estimate to build access bridges for those lots was about $600,000, which makes private development unlikely. Staff acknowledged prior trespass and hunting incidents and recommended coordination with the Open Land Trust.

After a short discussion and with no recorded objections, a committee member moved to recommend County Council approval of case CDPA‑000054‑2025; the motion was seconded and the commission voted unanimously to accept the staff recommendation. The motion record in the minutes lists the case number and summarizes the motion as advancing rural and critical lands preservation objectives; individual member votes were recorded in the transcript as a unanimous show of hands but individual roll‑call votes were not provided in the meeting record.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Natural Resources Committee and ultimately to County Council for final action. Staff said park planning and any additional steps for signage, enforcement coordination, and potential gating would follow the public‑input process and depend on community feedback and additional planning work.