December 18, 2025

PBNA Newsletter

Palmetto Bluff Neighborhood Association

 

Dear Neighbors,

We want to thank the approximately 40 people that attended the first PBNA Chinwag held at Cole’s Game Room.  It was a great opportunity to meet other PB members, play billiards and shuffleboard, and enjoy a drink at the Cole’s bar.  We intentionally kept the meeting informal – no speeches or agenda – just a relaxed gathering.  We are planning to have these Chinwag socials on a regular basis so keep any eye out in future newsletters.

PBNA Membership Renewal

To clarify the PBNA renewal process, all existing PBNA memberships are automatically renewed each year – no action required.  Membership fee for 2026 will remain at the $1 amount! As we host more events, we will review our funds for 2027; there may be a need to introduce an annual fee then.  If any current member wishes to unsubscribe just send an email to pbna2020@gmail.com with your request. 

Save the Dates!

January PBNA Chinwag at Cole’s Game Room
PBNA is organizing another social event in 2026! Please meet us at Cole’s game room on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 4 pm.

Mobile Town Hall HOSTED BY PBNA
PBNA and the Bluffton Town Council have organized a mobile town hall on Monday, February 23, 2026. The exact time and venue are TBD.  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!

Introducing: The Black Book

Launching in January, The Black Book will be your trusted directory for local services—plumbing, babysitting, repairs, and more—all suggested by your fellow residents, exclusively for PBNA members with a 2026 membership.  The project is underway, so stay tuned for more details! 

Palmetto Bluff Club Update

On December 1st, the SSP announced that, "after careful consideration", they will reduce the joining fees for the Palmetto Bluff Club (the “Base Club”) to $0, effective January 1, 2026. However, this reduction will not apply to the Golf, Shooting, or Boat clubs. It is unclear whether this decision was made after careful consideration of the interests of the ownership group (SSP and HP), the members, both groups, or neither. Ultimately, it was a unilateral decision made by the SSP. 

It has been observed that the joining fee is not “gone,” because the SSP could raise it from $0 to a higher number at any moment, could shift the joining fee to higher dues, and could charge and keep separate joining fees and dues for new private amenities that are not part of the Base Club.  We will be reaching out to the ownership group (SSP and HP) to discuss and understand the recent changes, including implications for future Base Club dues and amenities, as well as any benefits for the Base Club and its members. SSP's email indicated that they believe the change addresses the legal contention against them regarding the legality of joining fees in a club with mandatory membership.

If anyone gets their joining fees refunded, please let us know.

April 2022 Lawsuit Update

Last week, a public interest group called Public Investors Advocate Bar Association (PIABA) submitted an amicus brief to the South Carolina Supreme Court in support of the plaintiffs’ position. An amicus brief, or “friend of the court”, is a document submitted to a court by someone who is not a party to a case but has a strong interest in the matter, and it provides additional information, expertise, or perspective that may assist the court in making its decision. A copy can be found HERE.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!

Your PBNA Volunteers