May 12 edition

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MAY 12–18, 2022

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LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN

LOLITA HUCKABY

Nothing like a deadline

PRESORTED PERMIT NO. 97 BEAUFORT, SC 29902

COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY

Deadline approaches for impact fee agreement Work remains to settle differences between county, municipalities

By Tony Kukulich When the Beaufort County Council voted to delay the third and final reading of a motion to repeal all impact fees assessed by the county, they agreed to reconsider the matter during the council’s June 13 meeting. The delay was intended to give

the county’s municipalities like Beaufort, Port Royal and Bluffton time to align their impact fee policies with the county policy. With a month left before the county again considers the motion, it’s unclear if the delay provided enough time for the differences between the municipalities and the county

to be ironed out. It’s equally unclear how the council will react if the necessary intergovernmental agreements (IGA) between municipalities and the county aren’t signed by the deadline. “I think we’re in a spot where we’re going to get it worked out,” said Port Royal Mayor Joe DeVito.

“I do. I’m optimistic. The timeline is what is making it difficult, especially at this time of year.” During a May 3 joint council meeting held by the City of Beaufort and the Town of Port Royal, Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray

SEE IMPACT PAGE A5

County, Port Royal reach deal to keep Sands boat ramp open

I

BEAUFORT f there’s one thing as sacrosanct around here as trees, its boat landings. And when some officials start messing around with them, it makes news. Case in point: Beaufort County staff’s recent announcement that the county didn’t intend to maintain the VERY popular Sands boat landing in Port Royal after July 1. The county staff began questioning ownership of some of its 25 public landings last year as part of an effort to develop a master plan for recreation sites. According to the county legal department, there were questionable titles to at least five of the landings including the Sands, Brickyard Point on Lady’s Island, Wimbee Creek in the Lobeco area, Wallace Landing on St. Helena and Russ Landing on Hunting Island. Some folks even questioned why the questionable landings were all north of the Broad River, but we’ll mark that up to NOB vs. SOB paranoia. The questions prompted former county attorney Lad Howell to venture out to a county council meeting and assure the elected ones – and their staff – that the county indeed owns those properties if for no other reason that “prescriptive easement,” as in, the public’s used them for so long, without objection, they’re deemed “public.” The county staff then sent a letter to their colleagues in Port Royal setting a July 1 deadline for their maintenance responsibilities of the

SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A4

Beaufort resident Bobby Newton prepares his catboat Tuesday for participation in the 16th annual Catboat Rally at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club in Beaufort. Catboats originated as working boats in New England in the late 19th century, and the design has gained popularity among racers and recreational sailors. Photos by Tony Kukulich.

Catboats come to Beaufort

By Tony Kukulich

V The Silent Maid, a 33-foot catboat from Bay Head, N.J., is docked Tuesday at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club in Beaufort. The boat is in town to participate in the 16th annual Catboat Rally.

isitors to the Beaufort waterfront on Saturday will get an up close look at a unique maritime event Saturday afternoon. The 16th annual Catboat Rally will be conducted over three days, Thursday, May 12 through Saturday, May 14. A field of 10 catboats will race from Savannah to Hilton Head Island on Thursday. The following day, the boats will race from Hilton Head to Beaufort. The event will culminate with three buoy races Saturday in the Beaufort River.

WANT TO WATCH?

What: 16th annual Catboat Rally – 3 buoy races in the Beaufort River When: Around noon, Saturday, May 14 Where: Best place to watch is the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park

Woody Norwood, race committee chair, advised that the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park will be the best spot for viewing Saturday’s races.

SEE BOATS PAGE A4

Port Royal hotel to be converted to apartments

By Tony Kukulich A California-based developer plans to convert a recently purchased Port Royal hotel into apartments that will be rented at discounted rates. The former Days Inn located at 1660 Ribaut Road was acquired by Vivo Living at the end of April and will be rebranded as Vivo Port Royal. The purchase price was not disclosed. Vivo Living specializes in converting low-demand hotels and other buildings into

Workmen move out furniture from the former Days Inn on Friday afternoon in Port Royal. The former chain motel will be converted to apartments. Photo by Bob Sofaly.

affordable apartment complexes for renters. Their stated mission is to “solve America's housing affordability crisis through adaptive reuse while reducing traffic, waste and sprawl.” The apartments are expected to rent at 10 percent to 20 percent below market rates. “Vivo aims to reduce traffic, waste and sprawl by carefully selecting each location to

SEE HOTEL PAGE A7

SPORTS

ARTS

INSIDE

8th grader Graeme Angus captures high school state singles crown.

ONE WEEKEND ONLY: USCB center For The Arts hosting Annie, Jr.

PAGE A12

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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–7 Legal Notices A6 Health A8–9 Education A10–11 Sports A12

Arts Military Voices Faith Directory Classifieds

A14 A16 A17 A17 A18 A19


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May 12 edition by The Island News - Issuu