The
Hilton Head Sun
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID BLUFFTON, SC PERMIT NO. 135 POSTAL CUSTOMER
May 7, 2025 • Volume 28, Issue 5 • Complimentary • HiltonHeadSun.com
Woodlake neighborhood fights county with $3.5 million lawsuit over airport disturbance By Kingston Rhoads Contributor Homeowners in the Woodlake neighborhood community on Hilton Head Island have sued Beaufort County for $3.5 million in damages for violations by county officials relating to expansion of the Hilton Head Island Airport which Beaufort County owns and operates. “Beaufort County officials are in clear violation of a written and recorded agreement and have blatantly misled our homeowners about the ramifications resulting from expansion of the airport,” states Bob Arundell, a member of the community’s board of directors. “The negative impact on our community by dangerously low-flying large aircraft with noise, vibrations and disturbances has become much more serious since the increased frequency of flights to our island following expansion of the runway and COVID in 2021,” said Arundell. “We have tried to come to settle with the County, but their leaders have simply not kept their promise to Woodlake homeowners who live in the 214 homes on our property,” said Arundell. “They simply blew us off thinking we didn’t have the will to fight back and would eventually go away.” Arundell points out when the initial easement was granted in 2014 the County agreed “noise shall not exceed the level of noise being generated by the operation of aircraft at the time of the granting of this easement. Moreover, the County further agreed owners of Woodlake reserved “any
right, claim, or equitable remedy to which it may be entitled if, as a result of the granting of the easement, there is a material decrease in the value of the property…due to an increase in noise levels” – noting that the easement was signed by the County and is recorded with the Register of Deeds. Woodlake property owner Peter Keber recently listed his unit for sale and after showing the unit the purchasers agreed to pay list price. “They seemed happy as we finalized the details,” said Keber, “but as we were walking out the front door a
Delta jetliner roared over the property at a low altitude. The couple thanked me for my time and withdrew their offer!” Despite several efforts to discuss a settlement with the County, Arundell says Couty officials have ceased cooperation toward a resolution. “We had two meetings at our location to discuss a settlement,” said Arundell. “But County Manager Eric Greenway would have nothing to do with negotiating. Amusingly when he tried to tell us why the County would not negotiate a commercial jet few overhead and drowned out his comments.” Woodlake is located due south of the runway, directly across from Highway 278. It is located at the opposite end of the runway from historic St. James Baptist Church which is in the process of being moved from its original location with significant funding from the County, Town, FAA and others. Woodlake has since hired sound and aeronautical engineers to build its case for its lawsuit. “We fully support the efforts of St. James Church, which is also affected like our neighborhood,” said Arundell, and news reports say they are receiving about $12 million to compensate them. It would seem that $3.5 million for the hundreds of residents here at Woodlake would seem fair.” As of press time, Beaufort County did not respond to our email inquiry for comment. Previously Beaufort County’s spokesperson Hannah Nichols had told another news organization that the county “cannot comment on pending litigation.”
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