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Committee advances beach-animal restriction tied to renourishment permit after debate over seizure language
Summary
Staff said federal and state permits require a 24/7 animal prohibition in a stretch of beach near Fishaw Creek; the committee approved forwarding a revised ordinance removing broad seizure language and limiting seizure to unattended animals, voting 2–1 to send the amendment to council.
Assistant Town Manager Sean Cohen told the committee the proposed ordinance change implements a condition in the town's beach-renourishment permits issued by U.S. Fish & Wildlife, the Army Corps of Engineers and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services that requires an animal restriction in a defined area near Fishaw Creek.
The proposed code change would make the restriction a municipal ordinance and require signage. That amendment must be in place before construction can start, staff said. The restricted area is described in staff exhibits and would be posted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Debate focused on a penalty section in the draft that allows the seizure of animals upon conviction. One committee member said seizure language was new to the staff report and requested striking it; staff pointed to existing code language that included seizure in some circumstances. After discussion the committee approved an amendment limiting seizure language (narrowing it to circumstances such as unattended or dangerous animals). The committee voted to forward the item to Town Council with the amendment (vote recorded as 2–1).
Public commenters and members emphasized the need for clear signage and for staff to proceed with permit timelines and noted residents’ concern about dog access to the beach. The amendment will return to Town Council for final action.
