PBNA Newsletter
Palmetto Bluff Neighborhood Association

November 17, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

There’s something truly special about coming together as a community—sharing stories, ideas, and laughter in the places we call home. As we look ahead, we’re excited to invite you to join us for upcoming gatherings, new initiatives, and opportunities to make Palmetto Bluff an even more vibrant place for all. This newsletter is designed to keep you updated on PBNA’s priorities, community events, and highlights from our meetings.

You’re Invited: Community Chinwag

First Friday of Each Month

Next Gathering: Friday, December 5th, 4–6 PM

Location: Village Green, post office side, under the oaks.

Bring your favorite drink and your neighborly spirit! Whether you’re new to Palmetto Bluff or a longtime resident, these casual meet-and-mingles are the perfect way to connect, share a laugh, and celebrate our wonderful community. Dogs welcome!

PBNA 2026 Membership Drive

We’d love for you to be part of what’s next!

Many PBNA members view their membership positively and desire more homeowners in Palmetto Bluff to join the cause.

• Special Offer: Join or renew before year-end for a discounted rate of $1
• Bring a Friend: Encourage a neighbor to join with you!
• Sign Up: https://www.pbnabluffton.com/Join

Mobile Town Hall HOSTED BY PBNA

PBNA and the Bluffton Town Council are organizing a mobile town hall! This event will be open to everyone in the community, including the Trust and club management. Join us to meet your town council members and bring your questions! Dates and details will be announced soon.

Holiday Food Drive – Bluffton Self Help

PBNA is organizing a holiday food drive to benefit Bluffton Self Help! The drop-off location and further details will be provided. Stay tuned, and thank you for your support!

Introducing: The Black Book

Launching in January, The Black Book is your trusted directory for local services—plumbing, babysitting, repairs, and more—all recommended by your fellow residents, exclusively for PBNA members with a 2026 membership.

Community Updates: Medical Taskforce

PBNA Board Member Cathy MacKinnon is leading a dedicated medical task force, including Jerry Mothershead, Jeff Schyberg, Kurt Hofmann, Karen Hofmann, Earl Grubbs, Rob Darling, Henry Fabian, and Willian “Bo” Hannah, to help us all feel safer and more prepared. 

They’re exploring:

• Emergency protocols
• AED and defibrillator locations
• Training for residents and staff
• Nearest medical facilities
• Security personnel as first responders

Quarterly Meetings

In addition to our monthly gatherings, PBNA will host quarterly in-person meetings throughout the year. These meetings are designed to keep our community engaged, informed, and aligned on important topics and initiatives. Your participation is always welcome and valued!

Share Your News!

This newsletter is for you and by you. Have something to share? Let us know, and we’ll include it next month!

Examples include:

• My daughter is home from college and available for babysitting and dog walking.
• In search of a tennis hitting partner.
• Member-led fundraiser events.

November 12, 2025 PBNA Information Event Recap

On November 12th, neighbors gathered at The Hede’s Barn for an afternoon of conversation, updates, and genuine connection. Thank you to Andrew and Jimeale Hede for opening their doors, and to everyone who contributed their ideas and energy.

We reflected on our shared history, discussed important community matters, and, most importantly, listened to your voices—because your participation shapes our future.

Event Highlights:

South Wilson Erosion Update

OBJECTIVE: Summarize the key points of the South Wilson Bluff erosion remediation project history announced at the September PB Preservation Trust (Trust) meeting.  This will be the largest PB Preservation Trust project to date.

The original South Wilson design, dating to PB’s early days, integrated a 1000’ x 80’ community access park along the May River. This park includes three access points and a gravel path for pedestrians and cyclists, and is owned by the PB Preservation Trust.  The riverfront portion fronts 7 residential lots along Stallings Island Road.  Over the past 20 years, particularly during Hurricane Mathew, significant riverfront erosion has occurred, requiring the gravel path to be closed for safety concerns.

Since 2021, the Trust commissioned multiple engineering surveys and studies, initially considering a stone revetment/ vegetation remediation project with an estimated cost of $1.2M.  This included 1) Tree and stump removal, 2) Sloping the bank, 3) Installing filter fabric and stone rip rap, and 4) Bluff Vegetation/Planting. 

In October 2023 the Trust presented this approach to the 7 lot homeowners.  The impacted homeowners were concerned about the delays and offered to contribute to this revetment project financially. The Trust initially agreed to this solution and retained Eastman Marine to prepare a revetment design and secure the necessary permits.  A permit was obtained in December 2024 at a cost of $75,000.

In 2025, the Trust retained Thomas & Hutton, which has a history of working on PB projects, to reassess the Bluff condition and review lower-cost alternatives.  In May 2025, the Trust called a meeting with the impacted homeowners to present a lower-cost alternative.  Reportedly, the Trust alternative only addressed ONE source of erosion. It did NOT address many of the erosion causes identified by earlier studies.  In addition, their plan permanently removed the gravel path.

The impacted homeowners rejected this concept and urged the Trust to reconsider the original 2023 revetment plan that would beautify the Bluff, preserve the community walking path, and provide a durable solution.  Again, the impacted homeowners offered to contribute financially.  Finally, during the September 2025 Trust membership meeting, the Trust announced the revetment project to the entire community with the hopes of proceeding in 2026. 

UPDATE: The impacted homeowners were told this week (coincidentally, the day after the PBNA meeting) that the Trust has received new cost updates and that the project will move on to the next steps.  We are now awaiting further information.

We acknowledge and thank the impacted homeowners for their perseverance and standing their ground in the best interest of PB!!

Mandatory Membership Waiver Update

In June 2023, SSP sent a communication announcing a permanent waiver to the mandatory PB Club membership requirement in the PB Recreational Covenant.

A small group of PB homeowners, Frank and Carol Riddick, Marty and Martha Strauss, and Harry Brown challenged the legality of this action and sent a demand letter to SSP’s lawyers in July 2023.

After almost two years and approximately $80,000 in costs, in March 2025 the PB homeowners prevailed in their lawsuit, and the court ruled that SSP’s “waiver” of mandatory membership was illegal and mandatory membership was reinstated.  However, the court ruled that PB members who had opted out of membership from June 2023 to March 2025 would not have to rejoin as members.

Only approximately 71 homeowners opted out of membership with approximately 42 opting out of membership on 2nd and/or 3rd properties but remained members of the PB Club.  Clearly, the vast majority of homeowners see membership in the Club as a positive.

What message and learning should our community take away from this experience:

• We need to stand together as a community and speak with one voice to protect our rights and the value of the investment in our homes and properties.
  
  
• We need to challenge SSP when they take actions that violate our rights and negatively impact homeowners and our community.
  
  
• We need to work to overcome SSP’s efforts to divide our community.

We acknowledge and thank Frank and Carol Riddick, Marty and Martha Strauss, and Harry Brown for their perseverance and standing their ground in the best interest of PB!!

Lawsuit Updates

Lawsuit filed in April 2022 - Currently pending before the SC Supreme Court. That lawsuit is focused on the overall structure of Palmetto Bluff, which the members believe gives the developer an unlawful amount of power.

• The initial claim was filed in April 2022, but after 3.5 years, no legal arguments have been presented in the case. SSP has appealed three times to move the case to private arbitration, which would remain confidential.

Background on this litigation.

• Trial court ruled in favor of the members, twice. The gist of that ruling is that (a) SSP cannot force members into confidential arbitration, and (b) the governing document sections that required that are unlawful.

• SSP appealed to the SC Court of Appeals, which also ruled in favor of the members

• SSP appealed to the SC Supreme Court, which accepted the case.

At this point, all legal briefs have been submitted to the SC Supreme Court, and the parties are waiting for notice of an oral argument. The Court’s schedule is hard to predict, but the argument could be in 1Q 2026. If so, a decision typically takes roughly 3-5 months after the argument, depending on the case

Lawsuit filed in May 2025 - The plaintiffs in this lawsuit believe that the PB Preservation Trust and its board of stewards have been placing the developer's interests above those of the members. The suit alleges this has happened, for instance, by the board allowing outsiders to use the village green at minimal cost, enabling the developer to profit substantially.

Another example is the board's apparent decisions to cover legal fees for other parties in unrelated lawsuits. Strict rules govern the use, authorization, and documentation of trust funds, and the plaintiffs contend that the board's actions breach these requirements.

If you wish to support this litigation, you can do so anonymously. HTTPS://GOFUND.ME/6C0D0F366

Thank You for Being Part of PBNA

We are an independent group of residents, united by our love for Palmetto Bluff and our commitment to its future. Your voice matters, and together, we will protect the community we love and appreciate so much.

If you have questions, ideas, or just want to say hello, reach out anytime at PBNA2020@gmail.com.

With warmth and gratitude,

Your PBNA Board