News Release

Town Council May 20, 2025, Meeting Highlights

Workforce Housing Initiatives Advance, Land Preservation Efforts Expand, and Code Enforcement Strengthens

May 27, 2025

At its regularly scheduled meeting on May 20, the Hilton Head Island Town Council took meaningful steps to support the Island's long-term livability, resilience, and quality of life. Major actions included the advancement of workforce housing initiatives, adoption of a housing displacement mitigation plan, enhancements to code enforcement authority, and approval of infrastructure and land acquisition projects. These efforts reflect Town Council’s continued commitment to protect the Island’s natural environment, support Workforce Housing, and responsibly manage growth.

Notably, Town Council authorized the acquisition of approximately 6.58 acres along Jonesville Road in partnership with the Beaufort County Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program (Green Space Program). This land purchase is intended to prevent further development in a sensitive area, ease surrounding development pressures, and preserve the Island’s unique character. Town Council also approved a workforce housing agreement that facilitates the conversion of 90 former assisted living units into 88 multifamily homes that will comply with the Town’s workforce housing requirements.

A full recording of the meeting is available on the Town's YouTube channel, and a complete meeting overview (agenda and packet materials) is posted on the Town's website. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 3 at 3 pm.

Actions taken by Town Council on May 20 include:

• Adopted a Housing Displacement Mitigation Support Plan to address the challenges of residential displacement on Hilton Head Island. The Plan establishes a coordinated, structured network of partners to respond effectively to housing displacement events. The response is led by the Deep Well Project with support from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, the United Way of the Lowcountry, and the Town.
   
• Amended the Land Management Ordinance (LMO) to support workforce housing in the RM-12 zoning district. Changes allow workforce housing as a permitted conditional use in moderate-to-high density residential areas, establish property size and location criteria, provide a density bonus and impervious surface allowance, and clarify agreement requirements for workforce housing projects.
   
• Rezoned parcels on Northpoint Circle which effectively amends the official zoning map to advance the development of the Northpoint workforce housing neighborhood by changing the designation from park and recreation to moderate-to-high density residential use. While the rezoning shifts the land use classification, key zoning provisions are in place to ensure the development remains compatible with surrounding areas and sensitive to the natural environment. The project will preserve more than 50% of the site as functional open space, maintain the existing cap of 45% impervious surface coverage, protect specimen trees, and limit building height to 45 feet. In addition, land located along Jarvis Creek will be protected, including a forty-foot average buffer to help, helping to preserve the ecological character of the area and provide natural buffers within the neighborhood.
   
• Approved the first reading of an ordinance to restrict dogs in a designated area of the Town’s beach near Fish Haul Creek. This restriction is required as a condition of the 2025 Beach Renourishment Project permit, issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
   
• Authorized the Town’s Community Code Enforcement Division to issue civil administrative citations and fines for violations of the Municipal Code. This provides an alternative to criminal prosecution and strengthens the Town’s ability to enforce local parking and short-term rental regulations efficiently and cost-effectively.
   
• Amended the Fiscal Year 2025 budget to support the Town’s recent strategic land acquisition efforts to preserve natural resources and manage growth responsibly.
   
• Approved a lease purchase agreement for a new fleet of fire trucks. This investment ensures continued public safety services by replacing aging apparatus with modern, reliable equipment.
   
• Accepted a drainage and utility easement from Beaufort County for property at 55 Gardner Drive. This easement allows the Town to proceed with stormwater upgrades and improvements that benefit nearby neighborhoods, including Old Woodlands.

Following Executive Session, Town Council approved the following resolutions:

• Authorized the execution of a real estate contract for the acquisition of 6.58 acres on Jonesville Road. This land preservation initiative, undertaken in coordination with the Beaufort County Green Space Program, aims to prevent development, protect open space, and alleviate development pressures in the surrounding area.
   
• Approved a workforce housing agreement with Diamond Cove Elite, HHI, South Carolina, LLC. The agreement allows the conversion of 90 assisted living units into 88 multifamily homes designated for workforce housing. The resolution also accepts the associated declaration of covenants and restrictions.
   
• Approved standard forms for workforce housing agreements and declarations of covenants and restrictions. These forms will be used for projects submitted under Section 16-4-105 of the Municipal Code. The resolution grants authority to the Mayor and Town Manager to execute these documents and to the Town Manager and Land Management Ordinance Official to enforce their terms.