Council convened a June 23, 2026 work session. Key items: introduction of new employees; interview of a downtown advisory board applicant; a presentation by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a federal interest determination and possible $3M feasibility study for coastal storm risk management (City requested to provide written concurrence to begin a 45‑day review); an update on the City housing repair program; public comment; and a motion to enter executive session.
Planning Commission meeting: approved May 18 minutes with agreed edits; public comment focused on proposed code changes (chapters 2–4) with extended discussion and a staff assignment to rewrite the drive‑through language; commissioners polled on allowing drive‑through lanes across building fronts (RMX: near‑unanimous support; T5U: split); commissioners agreed to remove PUDs and to retain the Bladen Street overlay removal; structured‑parking/liner‑building standards were discussed with no final change and will be revisited. Several procedural action items and a tentative next work session date were set.
Town Council meeting (Bluffton) on June 9, 2026: minutes adopted; proclamations for Juneteenth and Carolina Days; update on Beaufort County transportation 'penny' advisory committee; public comment on e-bikes, wetlands, road closures, and other local issues; unanimous approval of FY2027 consolidated budget; multiple ordinances/resolutions and funding decisions (including a four-way stop at Boundary & Lawrence, economic incentive for Sterling Helicopter, extension of due diligence for ~55.18-acre parcel, establishment of an Entertainment Venue Exploratory Work Group, first reading of wetland ordinance amendments, ATAX awards, contract for New Riverside disc golf, and DMO marketing plan); appointments made in executive session.
Council adopted the FY2027 consolidated budget (5–1), approved the DMO marketing plan/budget/metrics (5–1), authorized multiple property transactions to enable relocation of St. James Baptist Church and Cherry Hill School, approved wetlands impact documents for Patterson Family Park, renamed Squar Pope Community Park to “Hilton Head Island Fishing Cooperative Park,” approved town legal services contracts, and completed multiple board reappointments. (See source_notes in key_decisions & agenda_items.)
City Council regular meeting (June 9, 2026). Council approved the FY27 consolidated budget and tax levy, multiple proclamations and event requests, sale of city property at 2153 Boundary Street, a number of resolutions and authorizations (including waterfront option two RFQ and Duke Streetscape contract authorization), several board appointments, a 5% adjustment to the city manager's compensation, and moved into executive session. Public commenters addressed a regional single-use plastics ordinance, trails and sports/recreation, budget priorities (waterfront, strategic partners), and questions about the city manager's compensation and evaluation.
Town of Port Royal council workshop (June 3, 2026) included a public hearing on four sidewalk conveyance ordinances, a presentation from the Old Village Association about upcoming events and a selfie-station sponsorship, project briefings (streetscape, sewer/grant work, splash pad, Sands Beach amenities, shrimp dock/process facility, stormwater planning, Safe Harbor/MCIP, potential fire service fee, marina master plan), discussion of the statewide property-tax-exemption issue and a request to place a multifamily moratorium on next week's agenda. Public comment included a local business raffle request for July 4th celebrations.
City of Beaufort City Council regular meeting held May 12, 2026. Council (Mayor Philip Cromer; Councilmembers Neil Lipsitz, Michael McFee, Mitch Mitchell, Josh Scallate) heard presentations and public comment, approved routine consent items and minutes, adopted amendments to the Noise Ordinance (second reading), approved several ordinances on second reading, held a public hearing and first reading of the FY2027 consolidated budget (including multiple amendments), approved sale of city property (first reading) at 2153 Boundary Street, made Downtown Advisory Board appointments, and moved into executive session before adjourning.
Approved minutes for the Town of Bluffton Regular Town Council meeting held January 13, 2026. Items included swearing-in of two councilmembers, appointment of Mayor Pro-Tempore, adoption of prior minutes, presentations/recognitions, public comment on electric bicycle safety, approval of an ordinance amendment (second and final reading), authorization to amend a sewer construction contract for additional funds, approval of the consent agenda, executive session matters including an appointment to a county advisory committee and approval of a mediation settlement (4–1). Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM and adjourned at 6:30 PM.
City Council meeting called to order at 7:21 PM. Council members present: Philip Cromer (Mayor), Neil Lipsitz, Michael McFee (Mayor Pro Tem), Mitch Mitchell, and Josh Scallate. Multiple routine items were approved (agenda, proclamations, consent agenda, minutes, several ordinances, and adjournment). Council approved a resolution to purchase a parcel at 32 Burton Hill Road by a 4-1 vote (Councilman Scallate voted against).