Legislative eNews

Government Affairs Update from the Hilton Head Island-
Bluffton Chamber of Commerce -- Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 2005

www.hiltonheadisland.org
www.highway278.org

Topic #1 -- Town buys Skull Creek property -- Hilton Head Island Town Council announced on Nov. 1 it has purchased 2.43 acres -- three parcels -- for $2.3 million from the Trust for Public Land.  The property is the former Skull Creek Shrimp Cooperative off Squire Pope Road.  It's also the former location of Hilton Head Seafood Company.

Topic #2 -- Two new tennis courts slated for Chaplin -- Hilton Head Island Town Council also voted to advance $75,000 to local non-profit Public Tennis Inc., to help construct two new tennis courts at Chaplin.  Public Tennis Inc., will pay back the money at $7,500 a year for the next 10 years.

Topic #3 -- 'No oil refineries in South Carolina' -- Hilton Head Island Town Councilman George Williams asked the town to take a position against oil refineries being built in South Carolina.  He's concerned about a refinery's impact on the environment.  Williams made this request after learning a state legislator had suggested a refinery be built in Jasper County.  Mayor Tom Peeples voiced support of Williams' request and referred the issue to the town's intergovernmental relations committee. 

Topic #4 -- Jenkins Island conceptual plan presented -- Hilton Head Island town staff presented the conceptual master plan for Jenkins Island at the town public facilities committee meeting on Nov. 1.  The plan includes passive recreation areas, a water treatment plant, and water access for man-powered boats and small craft.  The plan does not preclude a rowing and sailing facility.  The plan is still very conceptual and will be briefed to Town Council at its Nov. 15 meeting.

Topic #5 -- Town announces public meetings about Coligny rezoning -- Two opportunities are available for the public to provide input about the Town of Hilton Head Island's proposed rezoning of various properties in the Coligny area.  The meetings are:  Land Management Ordinance sub-committee, Nov. 11, 1 p.m., and Planning Commission public hearing, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m.  Both meetings will be at Town Hall.  For more information, call the town Planning Department at 341-4681.

Topic #6 -- Chambers of Commerce forming coastal legislative agenda -- Six coastal Chambers of Commerce, including the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, met in Charleston on Nov. 2 to prepare a coastal legislative agenda to be presented to legislators in December.  The agenda will address major issues such as property tax relief, education funding, transportation infrastructure, the Jasper County deep-water terminal, and a later school-start date.

Topic #7 -- County, Trust for Public Land to hold grand opening of Pinckney Colony Preserve -- Beaufort County and its land-preservation partner Trust for Public Land have scheduled the grand opening of the 38-acre Pinckney Colony Preserve on U.S. 278 for Nov. 14 at 1:30 p.m.  The property, bought by the county as part of its land-preservation program, is at the intersection of U.S. 278 and Pinckney Colony Road.  The Trust for Public Land, the Pinckney Colony Community Association, and J.K. Tiller Associates have adopted the property and will maintain it.

Topic #8 -- Beaufort County calendar to be unveiled Nov. 10 -- Beaufort County Council invites the community to a reception and photo exhibit on Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m., at the Bluffton library.  The event will feature the unveiling of the county's new 2006 Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program calendar and will honor photographers who submitted photos.