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LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
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City of Beaufort discusses hate crime ordinance
SOFT SHELL CRAB FESTIVAL
LOLITA HUCKABY
By Delayna Earley The Island News The City of Beaufort may join ranks with the other municipalities in South Carolina passing hate crime ordinances due to the lack of a statewide law. During the city council work session on April 9, council members reviewed a proposed ordinance stating that “a person who violates another with intent to intimidate another person or persons in whole or in part because of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or national origin of the other person or persons in guilty of the separate offense of hate intimidation.”
First-time father makes good on campaign promises
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PORT ROYAL evin Phillips, only four months into his first term as mayor of this town of 14,000-plus, is making good on his campaign talk. When running in November against incumbent Joe DeVito, Phillips suggested the town council should consider a building moratorium to slow down the rapid development being experienced not just by Port Royal but by the rest of the county, the Lowcountry, much of the East Coast coastal communities. After all, next door in Jasper County, the county elected officials imposed a moratorium on all commercial and residential development in the Chelsea area, on their side of the Broad River back in June of last year and it’s still in place while the county planners work on new development standards in an effort to manage growth. Phillips, who won by 60 percent of the vote, moved his council forward on the moratorium idea last week with an ordinance to impose a one-year halt on any permitting activities for multi-family developments. The ordinance still requires a second reading, which will happen at the next council meeting in May, but the first reading passed with no opposition, so we’ll see how this plays out. Of course, the moratorium will have no impact on the 1,500-plus apartment units already approved by the town. Nor will it impact single-family homes or commercial development planned in the municipality but it’s something … something the Beaufort County Council refused to even consider last fall when the idea was proposed at committee level.
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Port Royal considering moratorium on short-term rentals, new apartments
A fresh batch of soft shell crab comes out of the grease ready to be served up during the 2023 Soft Shell Crab Festival in Port Royal. Bob Sofaly/File/The Island News
They’re back!
By Delayna Earley The Island News Port Royal has decided to hit pause on short-term rentals and further apartment developments because they want to make sure that the infrastructure in place for the town can handle the explosive growth. During the Port Royal Town Council meeting on April 10, council members unani- Kevin mously voted to Phillips approve a moratorium on short-term rentals for seven months and multi-family developments for one year. The multi-family developments and short-term rentals that have already been permitted or have begun the process will be allowed to continue, but any further submissions will be put on hold until after
Soft Shell Crab Festival returns to Port Royal
From staff reports Wait no longer! The 19th annual Soft Shell Crab Festival, hosted by The Old Village Association of Port Royal, will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 20, on Paris Avenue in Port Royal. Local chefs will serve soft shell crab prepared in various delicious ways, alongside a diverse selection of both traditional and festival foods. Attendees can enjoy browsing craft vendors, live entertainment, and a kid zone, ensur-
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ing an enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages. The musical talents of Groove Town Assault, Tugboat Tradd, and The Deckhands assure an energetic atmosphere that will uplift spirits throughout the day. Additionally, there will be exhibits from the Classic Car and Truck Club of Beaufort and Bikers Against Bullies. For convenience, two ATMs will be available onsite for those without cash. Please note that only service dogs are permitted, as pets are not allowed.
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NEWS
EDUCATION
SPORTS
INSIDE
Community servants honored at Let History Speak Celebration.
Reduced-price meals in SC schools would be free under Senate proposal.
Duncan’s hat trick propels Beaufort past HHP.
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