'23 Quarter 2 Town Notes

Mayor's Corner

As we approach the middle of 2023, I want to reflect on the successes so far and the work still to be accomplished this year. Our new Town Council has made progress in many ways and continues to be committed to improving and advancing the Town of Kiawah Island.

One key component of this success is inviting active community engagement through our citizen comments at town council meetings and public hearings, as well as the monthly community drop-in events. I thank the community members who have participated in these this year and encourage you to continue to raise ideas to benefit the island. Two major projects that will have lasting impacts on Kiawah Island, and showcase the importance of community/stakeholder involvement, are progressing forward. These include:

John D. Labriola

The Upper Beachwalker Parcels Project is a proposal developed by Kiawah Partners. Currently, there is an approved preliminary plat, which the Planning Commission approved in October 2022. It should be noted that the approval of the preliminary plat does not constitute approval of proposed buildings, parking spaces, building heights, or other site use or design elements. A site plan and site design require site plan review approval, which is completed administratively by the Town’s Planning Department and will occur based on the application of the property owner whenever received.

At the June 6 Town Council meeting, Council Members encouraged Kiawah Partners to enhance the approved preliminary plat’s site concept focusing on setbacks, building heights, and density, as well as encouraged community input.

Council Member Michael Heidingsfelder and I proposed a framework of eight parameters to adapt the plans for these parcels and for Kiawah Partners to pursue a planned development district, which would go through the Planning Commission. These include:

Set-backs at the edge of the parcels, especially along Beachwalker Drive, developed parcels to the South (Greenslake Cottages), and the existing ponds along the property.

Protect vegetation and tree canopy on the parcels and along the set-backs of the properties along Beachwalker Drive and the Greenslake parcel to the South.

Environmental impact by avoiding the use of impermeable concrete drive/walkwayssurfaces and instead using permeable surfaces wherever emergency authorities allow

Protect parcels 8 and 10 in their natural status.

Building heights reduced.

Density as measured by the number of Dwelling Units (DUs) on the properties and as measured by the number of DUs per building.

Safely integrate the leisure trail system across the property to move today’s dangerous crossing of Beachwalker Drive further South.

Reduce the number of curb cuts along Beachwalker Drive and avoid a curb cut to Kiawah Island Pkwy.

Upper Beachwalker Parcels Project

Legally, Kiawah Partners do not have to make changes to the approved preliminary plat However, Council Members encouraged the developer to improve the development proposal with the involvement of the adjacent HOAs and the community.

During the June 6 Town Council meeting, Mark Permar, a representative of Kiawah Partners, said he was encouraged by the discussion and looks forward to re-engaging with homeowner’s associations and other community members and looks forward to the next steps.

I am hopeful that with our continued encouragement, concerns will be heard and responded to for the betterment of Kiawah Island.

Andell West Project

Another important project that has progressed forward is Andell West. While the Andell West project is not located within the Town of Kiawah, it is a project in the unincorporated areas of Charleston County; nonetheless, it will be an important commercial hub adjacent to Freshfield Village for the residents and visitors.

After spending months working with community leaders, the developer of the property, Riverstone, has revised the Andell West Planned Development and provided a written community update that details the changes they are working on. These changes detail specifics from aesthetic and operational changes to amenity offerings and more. You can view the Andell West Community Update and Conceptual Plan on our website here: www.kiawahisland.org/meetings-minutes/town-council/.

Town Council, in our June 6 meeting, supported revisions and intend to provide formal support at a later date, to send a letter of support to the Charleston County Planning Commission for the project. To keep the community continuously aware of the developments, Town Council is working with Chris Corrada, principal at Riverstone Properties, on a date to present the project and to provide important Charleston County Planning Commission meeting dates for the application.

This is a great example of how working collaboratively and innovatively with key stakeholders can bring positive change and address concerns that have impacts across the community. A project that initially raised some concerns on Kiawah Island is now moving towards a space that can address community needs. This progress should be encouraging and further support the importance of how each of us can use our experiences and voice to improve our community

As community members, I encourage you to continue engaging with the town and your neighbors on Kiawah Island. You can attend our public hearings, town council meetings, and community drop-ins; volunteer your time on one of our committees; or sign up for our enewsletter and follow us on social media. Your involvement and engagement are vital to the success of Kiawah Island for years to come.

BUDGET BUDGET AT A AT A

GLANCE GLANCE

The Town is Growing

Meet TOKI's NEW Meet TOKI's NEW Planner I Planner I

ent recently joined the Town's Planning as Planner I. Here are some details about ow he feels about his new journey with the

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Clemson University

xperience: "Previously, I worked as a alyst for a homebuilder in West Palm Beach

enjoy all things outdoors including golfing, wakeboarding."

the Community: "I am thrilled to be working n of Kiawah as a Planner. Growing up in have always enjoyed the smell of the marsh tiful vegetation the lowcountry has to offer. her place like it in the world. Coming from the g industry, I hope to provide the Town with oints and help contribute to the preservation of the island."

QUARTERLY PUBLIC QUARTERLY PUBLIC

SAFETY MESSAGE SAFETY MESSAGE

Emergency Preparedness

South Carolina is one of the most susceptible states to tropical storms and hurricanes. Additionally, Charleston County is one of six coastal counties that border the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, we encourage you to follow the State’s emergency management motto for 2023, "Take the time while you have the time." Hurricane season begins June 1 and lasts through November 30. As we enter the hurricane season, the TOKI public safety department urges the community to start preparations as a pledge for awareness.

Remember to do the following:

Conduct a safety check to make sure your residence is suitable to endure the impacts of high winds and storm surges caused by tropical storms, tornados, and hurricanes.

Make sure to review your insurance policy and ask questions regarding coverage from your insurance representative for clarity.

Know your evacuation zones (download mobile app here) and have an idea on the closest hurricane route ahead of time for your plan; rely on the blue hurricane signs, not GPS.

Be safe, and if you have questions or concerns, please contact the Town's director public safety, Dr. Craig Harris at charris@kiawahisland.org.

TownHallClosures& TownHallClosures& SolidWasteNotices SolidWasteNotices

July:

Trash service changes requested in May will become effective on July 1

Solid waste bill mailed on July 1

Holiday: Fourth of July - Town Hall closed. No service. See service changes below:

Tuesday's trash pickup will take place on Wednesday, July 5.

Wednesday's recycle will be collected on Thursday, July 6. No yard debris pickup this week.

Friday's twice/week pickup will be collected as scheduled.

September:

Holiday: Labor Day 9/4 - Town Hall closed. No service. See service changes below:

Monday's trash pickup will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Tuesday's trash pickup will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

Wednesday's recycle will be collected on Thursday, Sept. 7. No yard debris pickup this week.

Friday's twice/week pickup will be collected as scheduled (9/8 LAST Friday pickup of the season).

Paper Shred Event: Thursday, September 14, 9 AM - 12 PM at Town Hall

Brown Trash: Friday, September 15, 7 AM curbside

EPISODESOF EPISODESOF THEQUARTER THEQUARTER

Reading this in print? Scan here to watch these episodes.

here to listen to these episodes.

Click on the episodes below to stream. Scan

Episode 19: Brad Belt chats with Kevin Donlon, KICA

Episode 20: Michael Heidingsfelder chats with Donna Windham & Roland Hoffman, Kiawah Conservancy

Episode 21: Mayor Labriola chats with Roger Warren, Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Nature & Nature & Wildlife Wildlife Updates

2023 TURTLE NESTNG 2023 TURTLE NESTNG

SEASON UPDATE SEASON UPDATE

This year's nesting season for Loggerhead Sea Turtles is in full swing, and our turtle patrol volunteers are working hard to preserve this endangered species. As of June 21, Kiawah Island has a total of 188 nests. Residents and visitors can help Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol by doing the following:

No lights on the beach at night.

No metal shovels or plastic shovels larger than 14" - please fill your hole before leaving the beach.

All dogs must be leashed March 15 - Oct. 31. No feeding or harassing of wildlife. Keep off the dunes.

No glass, drones, balloons, plastic shopping/carryout bags, plastic straws, or styrofoam.

Photos provided by Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol

Kiawah Conservancy Projects Pave the Way for Healthy Habitats

Written by Lee Bundrick

The natural habitats of Kiawah Island support a variety of wildlife and plant communities, including 18 species of mammals, 30 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 300 species of resident and migratory birds. In addition, 23 unique plant communities have been identified and over 67 endangered and threatened species have been observed within the environs of Kiawah Island.

Kiawah Island is generally defined by many as the municipal boundaries of the Town of Kiawah Island. However, wildlife does not acknowledge these human-defined boundaries and frequently migrates to and from the island in pursuit of resources and territorial ranges Likewise, the natural habitats on Kiawah Island are not separated from those of Johns Island or Seabrook Island. Instead, they form a continuum of interconnected natural habitats which influence one another.

The Kiawah Conservancy’s goal is to understand the inter-relationships of the living and non-living components of ecosystems within the Kiawah River Watershed and to define and measure these components using best scientific practices By measuring and understanding the linkages between these components, we can determine the overall conditions within the Watershed and how components of various habitats respond to environmental stressors.

The Conservancy has received grants from the Town of Kiawah Island to conduct a Maritime Forest Health Analysis on Kiawah Island and to install Demonstration Rain Gardens The Conservancy is pleased to see these projects progressing this year and looks forward to using the data obtained from them to expand our conservation efforts on Kiawah Island and within the Kiawah River Watershed.

Photo captured by Austin Bennett

Maritime Forest Analysis

Written by Lee Bundrick

Through this project, the Conservancy in cooperation with the College of Charleston, initiated a study of the maritime forest conditions on Kiawah Island This project builds on a vegetative health study that has taken place over the past eight years using aerial and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. The team completed a vegetative health study using 2.5-acre watersheds on Kiawah, Seabrook, and Johns Island to provide a comparative analysis. The project also used light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data procured by the Town, the Kiawah Island Community Association (KICA), and the Conservancy in 2022. Analysis of LiDAR data provided information about the 3D structure of the maritime forest with a focus on understory growth across the island Analysis was also conducted to understand potential areas of impact due to tidal inundation and saltwater intrusion. The completed study will provide a comprehensive analysis of the current conditions of the upland habitat on Kiawah Island. These study methods will continue into the future as part of the Conservancy’s ongoing efforts to study natural habitats on the island through the Ecological Health Initiative.

Demonstration Rain Gardens

Written by Lee Bundrick

The Conservancy is working with Weston + Sampson Engineers and Clemson Extension to install demonstration rain gardens to promote their use on Kiawah Island. Properly implemented rain gardens can mitigate local stormwater issues and help with water quality Incorporating native plants into the design of rain gardens also provides a host of benefits to the ecosystem by supporting pollinators and local wildlife communities. In addition to providing a function, they are also aesthetically pleasing within the landscape. Two sites were chosen for rain garden installations which are anticipated to be installed in mid-June. The Conservancy is working with Weston + Sampson Engineers and Clemson Extension to provide Rain Garden Workshops for residents and professionals to learn more about installing rain gardens on Kiawah Island following the installations

Are you interested in learning more about rain gardens and other nature-based solutions for your property? Check out the Kiawah Conservancy’s Nature-Based Solutions Manual for Kiawah Island. This manual was created as part of the Conservancy’s resilience project funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. It provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of various landscape practices for use on Kiawah Island and other coastal communities in South Carolina

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR HURRICANE SEASON? ARE YOU PREPARED FOR HURRICANE SEASON?

One way that you and your family can be prepared this hurricane season is by signing up for our CodeRed emergency alert system. Sign up to receive weather, emergency, and other critical community alerts to your mobile device.

Reading this in print? Scan here to sign up for CodeRED alerts.

The Living is Easy

Scan for full schedule of summer events:

Kiawah Island Golf Resort marks the arrival of summer by bringing back its popular seasonal programming. The family-friendly events are designed to offer activities for every day of the week.

The resort’s longest running tradition, Mingo Point Oyster Roast and BBQ will resume its regular schedule on Monday evenings.

On Tuesday nights, Night Heron Park will play classic family-friendly films during Movies in the Park. Then on Fridays, The Sanctuary pool will host Dive-in Movies.

Every Wednesday, Night Heron Park will assume an old-fashioned carnival atmosphere with food, fun activities and live entertainment during Sundown Festival.

On Thursdays and Saturdays, the pool at The Sanctuary will feature Live at Loggerhead with local steel band Holy City Steel Collective. Most Saturday evenings, the Grand Lawn will host Sounds of Summer, featuring a different local live band playing classic favorites and oldies (so brush up on your dance moves). Bring a folding chair or blanket and enjoy the tunes while savoring a refreshing beverage from The Lobby Bar.

Sundays usher in a reverential tone with regular non-denominational morning services held in The Sanctuary Chapel.

Click here for the full schedule of summer events, and be sure to download the resort app by searching Kiawah Resort in either the Google Play Store for Androids or the Apple Store for iPhones.

Art and Cultural Center Feasibility Study Update

The Town continues to work with expert consultants as they consider the feasibility of developing an art and cultural center. The Phase 1 findings presented at the April Town Council meeting displayed that the concept is feasible and responsive to community needs. The study is currently in Phase 2, where physical and business plans for recommended facilities are being developed. On June 8, the Town partnered with the consulting team to host a workshop where over 30 potential facility users gathered to discuss the physical and operational implications of new facilities and gave insight on design and operations. As Phase 2 continues, there will be further opportunities for community meetings where individuals can provide input.

GALLERY OF GALLERY OF THE QUARTER THE QUARTER

St. John's FD Station #4 Open House

2023 Sea Islands Shorebird Festival

Photos provided by Sha' Graham, Cathy Surowiec and Dylan Keith

2023Disaster Awareness Day

Kiawah Art Guild SpringShow KITP’s First Nest of the Season Piccolo Preview Event

Marsh Management Work Group Meeting on 5/26

Designed by Sha' Graham