News Release

Town Council September 16, 2025, Meeting Highlights

September 18, 2025

The Hilton Head Island Town Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

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 Town Council meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2025, at 3 pm.

Short-term Rental, Major Subdivision and Timeshare Moratorium Update

Following the meeting, Town Council directed the Town Manager and staff to remove short-term rental, major subdivision and timeshare moratoriums as options for managing growth on the Island. Council members further directed the team to draft updated options for Council's consideration regarding regulations associated with short-term rentals, major subdivisions and timeshares. The intent of this directive is to address the most urgent safety and quality of life concerns prior to the upcoming short-term rental permit renewal period at the end of 2025.

Actions taken by Town Council on September 16 include:

• Approval of the second reading of an ordinance that would authorize the conveyance of 0.02 acres at 25 Dunnagans Alley to Clear Daze, LLC, the owner of the adjacent property at 144 Arrow Road, to remove existing encroachments.
• Approval of a resolution to approve the 2025 – 2029 Five-Year Consolidated Plan required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for participation in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program and to enable the fiscal year 2025 allocation of $210,564.
• Approval of a resolution that supports the implementation of a pilot project using a Tri-Share funding model for a childcare and early learning pilot project. This funding model offers a fiscally responsible and community-centered solution to childcare affordability by reducing the financial burden of childcare on working families while strengthening workforce participation and local economic vitality. Location(s) for the pilot project have not been determined at this time.
• Approval of a resolution delineating names and missions for Town Council subcommittees. The updated structure consists of the Community Development & Public Services Committee and the Finance & Administrative Committee.
• Approval of the first reading of an ordinance authorizing access and utility easements connecting Mingo Lane to Marshland Road across Town-owned property. A new connection to Mingo Lane will be constructed along with a turnaround within the right-of-way to ensure safe and adequate access for emergency and service vehicles. A new 10-foot utility easement is also proposed to allow the extension of public infrastructure, including water, sewer, and other utilities.
• Approval of a resolution establishing the Land Management Ordinance (LMO) Task Force, composed of community leaders, industry representatives, and residents charged with reviewing proposed updates to the Town's land use, zoning, and development regulations and providing recommendations to the Planning Commission and Town Council. The LMO Task Force includes:
  • Three members of Town Council.
  • The chairpersons of the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation, and the Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force.
  •  Representatives from the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association, Hilton Head Area Realtors Association, short-term rental industry, hospitality industry; and the workforce housing sector.
  • Three general managers (or equivalent positions) representing Hilton Head’s planned developments and resorts (selected from a defined list of communities).
  • Five residents of Hilton Head Island.
  • The Town Manager and Deputy Town Manager will serve as ex-officio, non-voting members and no alternates will be appointed to the task force.

After executive session, the following actions were taken:

• Approval to purchase the right of way access road located within the U.S. Post Office property on William Hilton Parkway near Gum Tree Road for the purpose of roadway improvements supporting the development of Northpoint, a new workforce housing community slated for groundbreaking later this year.
• Authorized the Town Manager to negotiate the acquisition of properties located at the corner of Dillon and Beach City Roads to preserve the land as green space within the historic Mitchelville neighborhood.