MAY 18 - 24, 2017
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Beaufort looks at rules for vacation rentals
Beaufort Academy takes state
By Lisa Allen
There haven’t been any problems with short-term rentals in downtown Beaufort, and the city wants to keep it that way. The city appointed a task force last year to study short-term rentals. Its tasks were to recommend an approval process, anticipate any problems that could occur and suggest rules that would head them off. “The two primary concerns are public safety and preserving neighborhood integrity and character,” said Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling. “There are no documented problems, but people assume there will be problems.” Up until about three years ago, short-term rentals were permitted only in properties that were zoned commercial. Then Airbnb and VRBOs (vacation rentals by owner) came along. “The city woke up a couple of years ago and realized that people were operating short-term rentals in areas not zoned for that,” Keyserling said. The city quickly required people to request zoning exceptions before the Zoning Board of Appeals. “We didn’t give them enough guidelines. It was arbitrary. If a neighbor objected, it was rejected. If no one complained, they were granted,” Keyserling said. Thus the 11-member task force was created. Primarily using online portals, the task force found just over 50 shortterm rentals scattered throughout the city, with noticeable numbers in Pigeon Point, Old Commons and the Northwest Quadrant. (Old Point prohibits short-term rentals.) When the city found some lacking business licenses, they contacted the owners and they quickly complied. Short-term rental properties are required to get business licenses and collect and remit occupancy and sales taxes.
Above: Beaufort Academy’s Jaxon Sprawling, center, watches as the ball goes into the goal during the first half of the SCISA Boys Class A playoff game against Christian Academy on Wednesday afternoon at BA’s Merritt Field. The Eagles won the match 5-0. Below: Beaufort Academy’s Ally Raschella, center, gets ready to pass the ball tip field during the first half of the first round of SCISA Girls Class A playoff game at Merritt Field. Assisting Raschella at right is Mary Alden Cooper. Photos by Bob Sofaly.
By Steve LeMaster
Beaufort Academy is home to two more state championship teams. The Beaufort Academy girls' soccer team defeated familiar foe John Paul II 3-1 in the SCISA Class A girls' soccer state championship game at Porter-Gaud School in Charleston on May 12. The Beaufort Academy boys' soccer team captured its fourth straight SCISA Class A state championship on May 12, outlasting Palmetto Christian 2-1 in overtime in the 2017 title game at Porter-Gaud School in Charleston. The Eagles exited the 2017 season with a 13-6 record. Palmetto Christian finished its latest cam-
paign 11-6. Beaufort Academy and Palmetto Christian ended regulation scoreless. Sophomore Edward McCormick scored Beaufort Academy's first goal with 7:30 remaining in overtime. Freshman Thomas Holladay added another goal to push Beaufort Academy ahead 2-0 after in the extra period. See CHAMPIONS page A7
LOCAL KIDS SHINE Several local students won state championships in track and field while the BYAC Tiger Sharks Swim Team won its opening meet of the season. See page B4.
Oyster season closes; clam season to close May 31 Staff reports
South Carolina’s harvest season for oysters and mussels closed on May 15, according to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) officials. Clam season will close on Wednesday, May 31, at 30 minutes before official sunset. Because higher bacterial levels occur when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, shellfish harvesting during the summer months is limited to commercial harvesters who can meet rigorous handling requirements. Coastal waters will remain closed to recreational shellfish harvesting until water temperatures begin to cool in the fall, making
shellfish once again safe for harvesting and consumption. Shellfish harvesting is expected to reopen Oct. 1. SCDNR’s oyster shell recycling and replanting program continues its efforts to encourage the public to recycle their oyster shells. Oyster shell recycling drop-off locations are located throughout coastal counties, and collection sites can be at bit.ly/2r8VODS. During the summer months, SCDNR returns the recycled shell to shorelines, where it provides an ideal base for larval oysters to attach, thereby replenishing the harvested beds. When the quantity of shell needed to replant shellfish grounds exceeds those that
are recycled, SCDNR must purchase shells from other vendors. Saltwater recreational fishing license sales provide funding for SCDNR’s shellfish restoration and enhancement efforts. Late spring and early summer are also the busiest months for SCDNR’s community oyster restoration program, SCORE. The public is invited to work with SCDNR staff and other volunteers to create oyster habitat in areas that are not harvestable. The resulting oyster reefs provide a host of ecological and economic benefits, including water filtration, nutrient cycling, and habitat for fish and invertebrates. Visit saltwaterfishing.sc.gov.
See RENTALS page A7 We are. Accreditation
HOOKED ON BOATING? Are you hooked on boating? Where are the best spots to go? Send your photos and stories to theislandnews@gmail.com.
BRINGING HOME THE GOLD A hometown girl wins a prestigious medal from Clemson University. PAGE B1
INSIDE Lowcountry Life A2 Health A3-4 In Other News A5 Business A6 From The Front A7 Community B1
Schools B3 Sports B4 B5 Voices Events B7 Directory B8 Classifieds B9
by AAHA means we’ve passed a voluntary evaluation of more than 900 standards and that we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of care for your pet.
Check out our new INDOOR KENNELS!
INDOOR • AIR CONDITIONED • MUSIC • LOTS OF PLAY TIME • LARGE SPACIOUS RUNS
10% OFF ALL BOARDING FOR MAY CYAN-AOOO
MAGENTA-OAOO
YELLOW-OOAO
BLACK
012908
40 Professional Village Circle
843-524-4551
www.SeaIslandAnimalHospital.com *On Lady’s Island behind Sonic