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Port Royal council approves settlement with Safe Harbor, limits rentals and secures trail easement
Summary
The council unanimously approved a settlement with developer Safe Harbor that will be adopted as an amendment to the development agreement within 90 days, capping build-to-rent units at 15%, granting the town Lot G and marsh parcels, and securing a 16-foot Spanish Moss Trail easement and an 18‑month dock-construction permit.
Port Royal's Town Council on Feb. 12 approved a settlement with developer Safe Harbor that the mayor said will be codified as the third amendment to the development agreement within 90 days.
Mayor (S1) told the council the agreement caps "build-to-rent" units in the town's residential areas at 15 percent, prohibits multi-level apartments in those residential zones and will become binding once the amendment is executed and delivered. "So for simple numbers, if they build a 100 houses, 15 of those can be rentals," the mayor said during the presentation.
Under the settlement Safe Harbor will receive a temporary use permit of up to 18 months to undertake on-site dock manufacturing for Port Royal's marina; the mayor said the permit is meant to allow Safe Harbor to construct Port Royal's marina when it chooses to begin dock work. The agreement also provides the town a permanent 16-foot easement for the Spanish Moss Trail to connect into Ritter Circle and across Rebow Road.
The mayor said Safe Harbor agreed to convey Lot G (the beer garden parcel between Shell Ring and Fish Camp) and adjacent marsh strips to the town in exchange for five townhome lots the town will convey behind the shed area. The conveyance is intended to restore public access, return shrimp docks to the waterfront and extend the Henry Robinson boardwalk loop through marsh property.
Council members praised the compromise and the increased public access. Councilman Guerrero (S3) described the outcome as an example of community pressure producing results, and another council member said the agreement "protects the integrity and culture of Port Royal" while enabling public amenities.
The settlement calls for a master plan from the developer within six months of the effective date and quarterly meetings between the parties after enactment; the mayor said the first quarterly meeting will occur within 30 days of signing. As part of the settlement, the town and Safe Harbor will mutually release claims and dismiss related litigation and code-violation notices tied to the property.
The council moved and approved Resolution 1-2025 to accept the settlement by voice vote; three council members were present and voted in favor. The mayor said the signed agreement was provided to the town on the prior Friday and that the parties had completed mediation to reach the terms.
Next steps: the settlement will be memorialized as a formal amendment to the development agreement within 90 days of execution, and staff said the town will schedule the required implementation steps, including title work and mapping for the conveyed parcels.
