Port Royal mayor asks county to begin due diligence on corridor-protection buy

Mayor Kevin Phillips told the Green Space Advisory Committee the Town of Port Royal is asking the county to consider acquiring a scenic parcel along Robert Smalls Parkway to preserve lowcountry canopy and waterfront views. "This is our 1st application that we've, brought it..." he said, adding the town rezoned the site to a T4 neighborhood-center-open designation and supports conservation of the property.

Committee members clarified that the town is the applicant and would take fee-simple ownership if approved. County attorney Grama and staff warned that Green Space funding is allocated through a competitive ordinance-driven process and that a request for 100% green-space funding typically reduces a project's financial-scoring component. Chair Mike McShane said due diligence is the next step; the committee moved and seconded a motion to forward the application to Beaufort County Council for approval to perform due diligence, and the motion carried with no objections recorded on the transcript.

The mayor described the parcel as highly visible to the regional roadway network and argued preservation would protect the community’s scenic character. "It's got some people with him that can answer further questions for you," he told the committee, and staff said an independent county appraisal and other due-diligence steps would follow if council approves the request.

The committee’s recommendation is for county council to consider authorizing a due-diligence period; timing will depend on council calendar and the outcome of staff and appraisal work.