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Planning commission recommends Holiday Homes overlay changes to preserve neighborhood character
Summary
The Town of Hilton Head Island Planning Commission voted to recommend amendments to the Holiday Homes neighborhood character overlay—reducing allowable driveway widths, lowering impervious cover and maximum floor area, capping garage sizes and limiting height—to town council for first reading on April 7.
The Town of Hilton Head Island Planning Commission voted to recommend an amendment to Title 16 of the municipal code to strengthen the Holiday Homes neighborhood character overlay and forward the measure to town council for first reading.
Trey Lowe of town staff told the commission the proposal aligns overlay standards with existing neighborhood covenants where no homeowners association or architectural review board exists. Lowe said the changes are intended "to protect and preserve the single family residential character of the neighborhood" and listed the key edits staff is proposing.
Under the amendment the side-yard setback angle would apply to all side yards with a minimum 65-degree angle, driveways within required buffers would be limited to 22 feet (down from 24), impervious coverage in the district would be reduced from 50% to 45%, and the maximum floor area would be lowered from 4,000 square feet to 3,200 square feet with some exclusions removed. Lofts and attic spaces are retained per the latest International Building Code reference. Garages would be limited to two cars, and maximum structure height would be capped at 30 feet and 2½ stories measured according to code.
Residents who testified at the public hearing said they supported the change. Rick Lawson, a Holiday Homes resident, told commissioners the neighborhood petition shows broad support: "We have 83% of the residents of Holiday Homes [who] has signed a petition approving for their approval of these ordinance changes," he said. Homeowner Ed Ernst described how sewer service increased buildable area on lots and argued the tougher overlay standards are now needed to prevent oversized houses that depart from the neighborhood character.
A commissioner moved to approve the amendment and forward it to town council; the motion passed on a voice/hand vote. Staff noted the item is scheduled for Town Council first reading on April 7.
The commission's recommendation does not itself change zoning; council action is required for adoption. Town staff said the amendment makes regulatory changes only and does not change the overlay boundary.
