In one minute
Town Council met January 13, 2026. Council approved the agenda, tabled approval of prior minutes, heard reports and presentations (including a clean FY2025 ACFR), and unanimously approved on first reading two related workforce-housing zoning actions: an LMO text amendment to allow new workforce housing in the MED district (with program requirements) and a PD-2 Master Plan / zoning map amendment to permit commercial or residential use on three parcels along Bethea Drive (three parcel tax-map IDs listed). Council entered and exited Executive Session and appointed Chuck Lobaugh and Margaret Hewitt as Planning Commission representatives to the Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force. The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
Executive summary
The Town Council meeting of January 13, 2026 included routine opening actions (adoption of the agenda; tabling approval of prior minutes), manager and member reports, and presentations (Mauldin & Jenkins presented the FY2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report which received clean opinions with no findings). In New Business Council approved on first reading: (1) an amendment to the Land Management Ordinance to allow new workforce housing within the MED zoning district (First Reading) — establishing a maximum density of 10 units per acre, requiring at least 30% of units to meet the Town’s Workforce Housing Program requirements (income/employment/long-term affordability), and limiting development to properties identified in an adopted PD-2 Master Plan; and (2) a Zoning Map / PD-2 Master Plan amendment to allow commercial or residential use on three parcels along Bethea Drive (tax-map IDs R510 008 000 337A 0000, R510 008 000 0337 0000 and R510 008 000 0452 0000). Both motions carried unanimously (7-0). Council entered Executive Session for listed negotiation, appointment, legal and employment matters, returned, and approved the appointment of Chuck Lobaugh and Margaret Hewitt as Planning Commission representatives to the Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force (terms to align with their Planning Commission terms). The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
Why it matters
The LMO text amendment and PD-2 Master Plan amendment enable workforce housing development adjacent to Hilton Head Medical Center and set density, affordability, and program eligibility standards that will affect housing availability for healthcare staff, first responders, and other essential workers. The appointments to the Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force influence cultural preservation representation. The clean FY2025 ACFR supports fiscal confidence.
Key decisions
Source/Context: Page 1 - 'Adoption of the Agenda' (Mr. Alfred moved to approve; Ms. Becker seconded; Motion carried 7-0).
Source/Context: Page 1 - 'Approval of the Minutes' (Ms. Brison moved to table; Ms. Becker seconded; Motion carried 7-0).
Source/Context: Pages 3-4 - 'Consideration of an Ordinance ... to Allow residential Workforce Housing within the Medical (MED) Zoning District - First Reading' (motion carried 7-0).
Source/Context: Pages 4-6 - 'Consideration of an Ordinance ... to Amend the Official Zoning Map ... Bethea Drive' (motion carried 7-0).
Agenda items
Council adopted the meeting agenda. Motion: Mr. Alfred moved to approve; Ms. Becker seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
Source/Context: Page 1 - 'Adoption of the Agenda'.
Ms. Brison stated she had questions regarding both sets of minutes and moved to table approval until questions were resolved. Ms. Becker seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
Source/Context: Page 1 - 'Approval of the Minutes'.
Updates included: Strategic Action Plan Workshop scheduled for January 27; LMO Task Force meeting held January 6; Northpoint construction mobilization with a groundbreaking scheduled for February 12; Bryant Road Workforce Housing RFQ; capital projects; beach renourishment; and recognition for removal of hazardous boats.
Strategic Action Plan Workshop scheduled for January 27Northpoint groundbreaking scheduled for February 12LMO Task Force meeting held January 6
Source/Context: Page 1 - 'Report of the Town Manager'.
Mayor presented the Student of the Month award to Angel Alarcon Aguado from Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center.
Source/Context: Page 1 - 'Beaufort County School District Character Education Student of the Month'.
Motions
Source/Context: Page 1 - 'Adoption of the Agenda'.
Source/Context: Page 1 - 'Approval of the Minutes'.
Source/Context: Pages 3-4 - 'Consideration of an Ordinance ... to Allow residential Workforce Housing within the Medical (MED) Zoning District - First Reading'.
Source/Context: Pages 4-6 - 'Consideration of an Ordinance ... to Amend the Official Zoning Map ... Bethea Drive'.
Source/Context: Page 6 - 'Executive Session'.
Source/Context: Page 6 - 'Action from Executive Session'.
Official sources
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