Erin Moody covers the city of Beaufort and town of Port Royal for The Beaufort Gazette. Originally from the suburbs of St. Louis, Mo., Moody earned a journalism degree from Ball State University in 2008. She reported for The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., before heading south in September 2011.After reconfiguring some dates and a final vote, the Port Royal Town Council has pushed back the start date of development agreements related to the Port of Port Royal property.
Council voted 4-1, with Councilman Vernon Deloach against, to change the dates on the agreements with the Port Royal Development Group to July 1. That gives developers time to complete the $17-million purchase from the state Ports Authority.
The group intends to build a 52-acre commercial and residential destination on the abandoned property.
Background:
Developer confident purchase of Port of Port Royal will succeed
Purchase of Port of Port Royal pushed back two months, March 7, 2012
Port Royal considers $4.5 million loan for public works around port property
Council also unanimously voted to extend a development agreement for the 105-acre Mobley Tract near the Lemon Island Marina. A final vote is expected in June.
The five-year agreement would technically not be an extension since the previous agreement expired last year, Town Manager Van Willis said. However, the new agreement would be essentially identical to the original, he said.
That includes keeping in a number of environmental safeguards, including a cap of 125 residences, natural buffers, limits on the number of docks and even proposed road designs.
“Obviously, the last five years have not been the best for development,” said attorney Colden Battey on behalf of applicants Lyttleton Partners.
Background:
Developer wants extension to develop Mobley Tract on Lemon Island, April 4, 2012
Mobley tract agreement extended to 2012, Oct. 13, 2007
Council also voted to move former council member Henry Robinson from the Historic Review Board to the Beaufort/Jasper Economic Commission. By law, Robinson cannot hold both positions, so council members expect he will resign from the Historic Review Board.
Sandra Jordan was also appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The dedication of the Cypress Wetlands project will be May 15, Councilman Joe Lee said, but details are still being hashed out. Tours of the site will be available after the ceremonies. The preservation project includes a bird sanctuary, walking path and amphitheater.