83 Robert Smalls Parkway – 843-233-9258
APRIL 23–29, 2026
VOTED BEST USED CAR DEALER AGAIN!
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
LOWCOUNTRY LOWDOWN
LOLITA HUCKABY
STR’s — A never-ending subject of debate
B
BEAUFORT y the time you read this column with your morning coffee, the future of STR’s (short-term rentals) in the city of Beaufort may be a political hot potato “put to bed.” At least a lot of Beaufort residents, and City Council members themselves, hope so. After several months of discussion and at least two lengthy public hearings on the matter, the City Council scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, April 21, to hopefully resolve the issue. We shall see. The City Council has been debating changes to the short-term rentals, as part of their ongoing effort to update the city’s development masterplan, for the past several months. And, like very time the issue comes up, citizens with strong opinions, pro and con, turn out. Those opposed to STRs, who argue the in-and-out arrival of unknown guests ruin their neighborhoods, are usually in the majority. This current discussion was exacerbated by a proposal to remove the STR ban that exists for the historic Point neighborhood, a suggestion that became a rallying cry for The Point residents who argued they already sacrifice privacy to the tourist traffic that flows through the narrow streets of their neighborhood. City Councilman Josh Scallate made the proposal to remove The Point restrictions, in an effort to bring equality to all neighborhoods within the city. As of last week’s Council meeting, when second reading of the proposed ordinance was tabled for the special meeting this week, April 21, the future of the exemption for The Point from the neighborhoods allowing STR’s seemed to be uncertain. Again, we’ll see.
SEE LOWDOWN PAGE A4
The new light where the Spanish Moss Trail crosses Ribaut Road in Port Royal on Friday, April 17, 2026. The light was turned on on Thursday, April 16. Levi Sharp/For The Island News
Cross that road when we come to it … Beaufort County activates signal where Spanish Moss Trail crosses Ribaut Road in Port Royal
Staff reports Those who desire to ride or walk the Spanish Moss Trail all the way into the Town of Port Royal and to The Sands Beach moved a step close last week when Beaufort County Engineering activated the traffic signal on Ribaut Road where the newest section of the Spanish Moss Trail crosses over. The installation of a pedestrian activated traffic signal at Ribaut Road provides pedestrians and cyclists with a safe crossing, similar to the existing signal on Robert Smalls Parkway for the trail. The following is the guidance
Pedestrian Guidance (What to do): • Push Button: Activate the signal and wait for the "Walk" Driver Guidance (What to do sign. when the light is ...): • Cross: Cross when the pedes• Dark: Proceed with caution; no trian display shows a walking pedestrians are crossing. person, ensuring traffic has • Flashing Yellow: Slow down stopped. and prepare to stop. • Countdown: Finish crossing • Solid Yellow: Prepare to stop; during the flashing "Don't the signal is changing to red. Walk" (countdown) phase. • Solid Red (Double): Come to a complete stop and remain The light was installed and is stopped while pedestrians maintained by The South Carolina cross. Department Of Transportation. • Alternating Flashing Red: For more information, call the Stop, then proceed if the cross- Beaufort County Engineering Dewalk is clear (like a stop sign). partment at 843-255-2700. Beaufort County provides for both drivers and pedestrians:
Beaufort City Council resets short-term rental ordinance, delays vote pending legal review By Delayna Earley The Island News After months of debate, Beaufort City Council has effectively reset its approach to regulating short-term rentals, opting not to move forward with a final vote April 14 and instead preparing a revised ordinance for a new first reading. The item appeared on the April 14 agenda as a second reading, but council did not advance it,
choosing instead to continue refining the language after extensive discussion and amendments. In part, council held off on a vote after raising concerns about unresolved language in the ordinance and the need for legal clarification. The city’s attorney was not
present at the meeting, adding to hesitation about moving forward without those details fully addressed. A newly revised version of the ordinance was scheduled for first reading during a special called meeting April 21, ahead of the city’s budget workshop.
Starting over, with changes City staff said the April 21 vote is intended to finalize the ordinance by incorporating changes discussed over multiple meetings, including council sessions on March 10 and April 14 and a March 24 work session. The revised ordinance includes several significant changes. It would establish a 4-percent
SEE RENTALS PAGE A6
NEWS
EDUCATION
ARTS
INSIDE
House District 121 candidates face off in Beaufort forum; affordability, growth at forefront.
Board of Education members Geier, Gordon will not run for re-election.
BAA’s next featured artist show is ‘Water Water Everywhere’ by Frank Gorman.
PAGE A4
PAGE A7
PAGE A9
Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–6 Legals A5 Sports A6 Education A7 Health A8
Arts A9 Voices A10–11 Military A12–13 Directory A14 Classifieds A15 Games A15