News Release

Town Council Meeting Highlights: December 9, 2025

December 11, 2025

The Hilton Head Island Town Council held a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 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. A special-called Town Council meeting has been scheduled for December 18 at 11 am. The next regular Town Council meeting is scheduled for January 13, 2026, at 3 pm.

On behalf of Town Council, Mayor Alan Perry recognized kindergartener Gavin Ward from the Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center for his recent selection as the Beaufort County School District's Character Education Program honoree for Hilton Head Island. Gavin was cited by his principal Kim Bratt and teacher Katie Hunt for his demonstration of the character trait of "courage." According to his nomination, "Starting something new can be a little scary, especially when you don’t know what to expect. But Gavin showed true bravery when he got out of the car all by himself and walked into a brand-new school — even though he didn't know many friends yet. That's a big step for someone so young, and he did it with strength and courage. His actions remind us all that courage isn't about never being afraid — it's about moving forward even when you are."

Charlie Clark, Hilton Head Island - Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Communications, and Chase O'Dell, Hilton Head Island - Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Research Manager, presented highlights from the fiscal year 2026 marketing plan quarter one metrics report.

Actions taken by Town Council on December 9 include:

• Approval of the second reading of an ordinance authorizing the execution and recording of a declaration of covenants regarding workforce housing and the execution and delivery of a long-term ground lease for the Northpoint at Jarvis Creek (Northpoint) neighborhood. These documents represent the final implementation steps outlined in the Northpoint Workforce Housing Development Agreement approved by Town Council in June 2024 and will enable the construction and long-term management of an energy-efficient, sustainable workforce housing neighborhood.
   
• Approval of the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a non-exclusive easement for ingress, egress, and utilities for the Hilton Head Public Service District at Northpoint.
   
• Approval of a resolution authorizing $1 million for site improvements as part of the Northpoint Development Agreement with OneStreet Residential. The funding for these site improvements comes from federal dollars the Town received as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
   
• Approval of a resolution to accept the recommendation from the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee for the 2026 Accommodations Tax Grant cycle. In total, 35 organizations supporting tourism, arts, and cultural activities were awarded $4,076,992.
   
• Approval of the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of no more than $35 million in General Obligation Debt Bonds to be repaid over 15 years to support:
  • Certain capital projects, including but not limited to the acquisition and renovation of 9 and 10 Park Lane to establish a new Fire Rescue Headquarters that will include administration, a dispatch center, and an emergency operations center in one location (approximately $9 million); and
  • Acquisition of strategic land parcels for conservation purposes, consistent with the Town's land acquisition policy.
     
• Approval of a resolution authorizing the Town to assume ownership and maintenance from the Cedar Woods Owners' Association, Inc. for the following private roads: Song Sparrow Lane, Phoebe Lane, and Goldfinch Lane.
   
• Approval of a resolution authorizing the execution of a stormwater agreement for the Cedar Woods Subdivision.

After executive session, the following actions were taken:

• Approval of the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the sale of three properties owned by the Town of Hilton Head Island located at 55 Main Street, 1 Automobile Place and 355 William Hilton Parkway. In addition, Town Council authorized the Mayor and Town Manager to proceed with contract negotiations related to the sale of these 4.57 acres to Hilton Head Medical Center, LLC.
   
• Approval of appointments for the following individuals with corresponding term expiration dates including:
  • Beaufort County Airports Board - Hilton Head Island Representative: Eli Roth, M.D.(6/30/28).
  • Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust - Hilton Head Island Representative: Karl Brondell
  • Board of Zoning Appeals (Architect): Dale Strecker (6/30/2028).
  • Housing Action Committee: Barbara Banaszynski (6/30/2026).
  • Housing Action Committee: Sue Ann Hess (6/30/2026).
  • Housing Action Committee: Maryann O’Brien (6/30/2026).
  • Housing Action Committee: Molly Risk (6/30/2027).
  • Housing Action Committee: Justin Wilson (6/30/2027).
  • Housing Action Committee: Greg Wynn (6/30/2027).
     
• Approval of appointments for the following individuals to the Land Management Ordinance Task Force:
  • Tom Henz, Planning Commission Chair
  • Judd Carstens, Design Review Board Chair
  • Louis Johnson, Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation Chair
  • Lavon Stevens, Gullah Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force Chair
  • Ray Warco, Hilton Head Island – Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Representative
  • Eric Brehm, Esposito Construction, Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association Representative
  • James Wedgeworth, Hilton Head Area Realtors Representative
  • Mike Alsco, Coastal Home and Villa, Short-term Rental Representative
  • Cliff McMackin, Sea Pines Resort, Hospitality Industry Representative
  • Barbara Banaszynski, Workforce Housing Sector Representative
  • Bill Dix, Palmetto Dunes (General Manager)
  • Courtney Struna, Palmetto Hall (General Manager)
  • Peter Kristian, Hilton Head Plantation (General Manager)
  • Brian Kinard, Resident
  • Lola Campbell, Resident
  • Gregg Russell, Resident
  • Edwina Dunlap, Resident
  • Ciaran Storan, Resident
  • Marc Orlando, Town Manager (Ex-Officio)
  • Shawn Leininger, Deputy Town Manager (Ex-Officio)