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Port Royal council weighs county plastics rule as restaurateur urges relief for construction losses
Summary
Council discussed a county plastics ordinance that would require municipalities to adopt similar rules; a local restaurant owner told the council his business is down about 40% due to nearby construction and asked for promotion and a hospitality-tax deferment.
Council discussed the county’s recently passed plastics ordinance and whether Port Royal should adopt a similar measure. Staff said the county’s ordinance would be contingent on municipal adoption and noted municipalities can consider tweaks, but that coordination and stakeholder outreach — especially with food and beverage businesses — are important.
During the public-comment period, Blake Kennedy, owner of a local restaurant, told the council construction had reduced his revenue by about 40% over four months. Kennedy asked the town to “shout us out more” on social media, bring affected businesses into discussion, and consider a short-term hospitality-tax subsidy or deferment to help sustain operations while construction reduces customer traffic.
Staff and council members said they favor engaging hospitality businesses before adopting a local version and discussed convening a meeting with affected food-service operators. Council members noted the county permitted an eight-month transition period after municipal adoption and stressed the need to balance environmental goals with small-business impacts.
Grant McClure, speaking in public comment, summarized the ordinance development process and urged support, saying the proposal would prohibit thick and thin plastic bags and polystyrene to-go containers while allowing straws and cutlery by request or at self-service stations. McClure also described recent reef-restoration work funded through a national conservation grant.
No final municipal adoption vote was recorded; council directed staff to convene stakeholders and return with recommended language and an outreach plan.
