Planning commission unanimously recommends rezoning to allow Saint James Baptist Church relocation

The Hilton Head Island Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward a master plan amendment and rezoning request (ZADash000925Dash2025) to the Town Council that would allow Saint James Baptist Church to relocate to a portion of a former golf course on Mid Island.

"Staff is recommending that the planning commission recommend approval to town council to forward this application up," Shay Farrar, town staff, told commissioners during a presentation of the application. Farrar said the town purchased the former golf course property in 2013 and that the relocation was included in the Mid Island Park master plan adopted in 2022.

Farrar summarized the proposed change: the property would retain its PD-1 zoning while the master-plan land-use designation for the site would add religious institutions (churches, mosques, synagogues, temples), accessory fellowship-hall uses, operations such as the Saint James Soup Kitchen, and community events at Cherry Hill School. Farrar listed a proposed nontransferable nonresidential density of 14,000 square feet associated with the request and walked the commission through the standard nine zoning criteria, concluding staff finds the amendment consistent with the town's comprehensive plan and supportive of cultural and community needs.

The public hearing closed after one public commenter spoke in support. Chair called for a motion to move the item to council; Commissioner Turnbull made the motion, Mister DuBois seconded, and the commission indicated unanimous support. The commission's vote sends the application to Town Council for final action.