Your goals are our goals.
During my time on town council and while running for mayor, many residents expressed a desire for less development and more green space. On behalf of town council, I can tell you we share that goal. However, there are two important factors to consider.
First, to reduce development, land must be purchased and preserved – either by the town or another entity. Secondly, just as homeowners have the right to build on or buy existing homes, commercial developers have the legal right to develop their property. Town council cannot simply restrict development when land is protected under legally binding development agreements, many of which were approved years ago.
Several members of town council have often repeated, “When we know better, we do better.” The town has to work within development agreements approved by previous councils years ago.
So, what can we do now? When opportunities arise, town council will continue to purchase land to preserve it. Currently, one land acquisition is already in motion, with another expected to follow soon.
The town has acquired 15-plus acres at the intersection of Buck Island Road and Bluffton Parkway, across from Eagles Field. This purchase eliminates the potential for nearly 90 residential units in that area. The $2.5 million acquisition, completed in January 2024, was funded through the town’s general fund and will become a park and open space. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to provide input on the park’s future design.
The second potential acquisition could remove up to 839,000 square feet of commercial development or nearly 700 residential units from being built in the town.
As you may recall, the Green Space sales tax was approved by voters in 2022. This tax has collected more than $111 million and is set to expire on March 1 of this year.
The town has applied for a portion of these funds to help purchase 239 acres between the Rose Hill, Woodbridge, Shell Hall, and Pinecrest neighborhoods. These two tracts are also within the May River watershed, so reducing development there will help protect the river and also provide permanent green space.
The town is seeking funding partners to purchase both tracts, which are near each other but not adjacent. As was the case with the purchase of Wright Family Park, which was made possible through a partnership with Beaufort County’s Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program, the town hopes to secure similar support for these acquisitions.
If successful in securing Green Space Program funding, town leaders are required to place a conservation easement on the property to ensure it is never developed. The town is completing due diligence while working through the multiple steps necessary to seek approval for funding through Beaufort County’s Green Space Program. We encourage you to reach out to your Beaufort County Council representative if you support the preservation of this green space.
Bluffton’s parks are a key reason why residents love living here, and town leaders remain committed to enhancing our community by expanding and preserving these valuable spaces.
