Dear PBNA Members,

This is our second PBNA member newsletter.  As we have mentioned before, these newsletters will not replace subject specific emails on important topics that seem to arise with some regularity.  We will strive to publish these newsletters quarterly, with the intent to provide an update on various matters of concern to our community that fit within our mission.

Proposed Amendments to the Development Agreement regarding a second dry stack and overwater fueling at Anson.  We communicate regularly with our Town Manager, Stephen Steese, and others who are familiar with the activities.  In sum, there is little news.  There was a meeting of the Negotiating Committee scheduled on August 11^th but this was cancelled at the request of South Street Partners.   Our Town Manager also conveyed that he cannot provide an estimate as to when the next meeting will be held. 

Background: As you may recall, the Bluffton Town Council referred the question to the Negotiating Committee on November 9, 2021 and the Negotiating Committee met on January 6, 2022 for two hours.  At that meeting, the Committee Chair instructed SSP to conduct a community meeting with PB property owners, which SSP held on February 17, 2022.

Litigation.  As we reported in our April 17^th FAQ, a group of Palmetto Bluff property owners initiated a lawsuit, filed on April 12, 2022, against the PB developer (and related entities and individuals).   In July, a number of motions were filed by the Plaintiffs, including one for Partial Summary Judgement and another that seeks to disqualify Nexsen Pruet (long time counsel for PB’s many owners) from representing SSP (and related entities).  SSP (and related entities) have filed various motions in response.  If you would like to read more, the filings are public on the Beaufort County Clerk of the Court website.  

Club facility access by Short Term Renters.   Effective April 8, 2022, SSP changed the policies related to access to private Club restaurants, pools and fitness rooms by non-member occupants of short-term rental properties.  The new “rules” remove access to the member facilities by people who are on property via an independently operated short-term rental home.  However, many people have told us that they are still seeing short term renters in member facilities.  Our understanding is that SSP/Club management is allowing renters who made reservations prior to the April 8^th change to still use the member facilities because the facilities were offered to them at the time of their vacation rental booking.  So, the new rules apply only to people who reserved homes after April 8^th. 

Club facility access by Montage Hotel guests.  The access agreement between the developer and Montage recently expired.  The two parties are currently negotiating a new access agreement.  Club management told us they aim to have an annual cap on Hotel use of Village Green (a major pain-point currently).  Hotel guest are already restricted from using Club pools, restaurants and fitness centers.  The Club did make a temporary exception to this by providing some access to Coles because Buffalo’s is closed.

Sora Wellness.  Many of you are asking about this project as the building site has been inactive for over a month (and is a significant eyesore…).  In our most recent conversation with Sora’s developer, they stated that their intentions have not changed but have run into issues that are delaying further progress.

Outside Speakers.  Recently we held two events at the Lodge, each attended by 40 to 50 residents.  In June, we hosted Kate Schaefer from the Open Land Trust (openlandtrust.org) and Jesse White from the Coastal Conservation League (coastalconservationleague.org).  They explained the roles and missions of their organizations and answered many member questions relating to environmental and preservation topics in the Low Country generally as well as Palmetto Bluff specifically. 

With the assistance of Marty and Martha Strauss, in early August we hosted Beaufort County Sherriff P. J. Tanner and Town of Bluffton Police Chief Stephanie Price.  They explained their roles and scopes of their two organizations and responded to many questions about challenges and issues affecting our county and town. 

Upcoming Speakers.  On September 29, we have Jim Wentworth, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry, and Courtney Hampson, Executive Director of Bluffton Self Help, speaking to the Palmetto Bluff community.   While many PB residents are already strong supporters of these two important local service organizations, we want to make sure as many people as possible know about their great work.  Please note that the meeting was rescheduled from September 22. 

We are planning to bring additional local government leaders to Palmetto Bluff, ideally with a quarterly cadence.   Please let us know if there are other people or organizations that you would like to speak to our community.

Also, please note that many of you have asked that we provide remote access (e.g., livestreaming) of our meetings and events.  We are still working on finding a workable and affordable solution and hope to have an answer soon.

Future FAQs.  We plan to post a FAQs on financial reserves, generally, and specifically regarding the PB Preservation Trust.  In addition, we are working on another FAQ regarding the PB Conservancy.   With Marty Strauss’ help, we plan to publish a “Low Country Civics 101” FAQ succinctly explaining relevant elected and appointed governmental leaders, election mechanics, key issues and such. 

FAQ Zoom Meetings.  We plan to pilot 45-minute zoom calls to explain selected FAQs, including time for member Q&A.  These will be scheduled and announced shortly.   The first two will address PB entity structure and member rights under the governing documents.  If these zooms prove useful, we will schedule additional zoom meetings. 

2023 PBNA Volunteer Board and Member Survey.  As many of you know, the current group of volunteer board members agreed to serve for one year, and we will soon begin the process of forming the 2023 leadership team in accordance with our by-laws (posted on the PBNA website).  In a couple weeks, we will reach out to the members to solicit interest and ideas.  We also plan to field a short Member survey to help us better understand your priorities and interests; this input will help us shape the new volunteer leadership team as well as establish 2023 priorities.  In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact any of us.

Feedback.  We welcome and enjoy feedback.  Please reach out to us at pbna2020@gmail.com.

PBNA Volunteers

Bob Morette, Arian Ellis, Harry Haslam, Graz Graziano, Ford Bartholow, Eric Sutherland, Richard Cedrone

If you have friends and neighbors who are interested in joining, please tell them to go to our website, www.pbnabluffton.com, and click “join”.

Dear Friends, When we scheduled this session on September 22, 2022, we were unaware that the Women of Palmetto Bluff had an event planned that would overlap with our session on the 22nd.  All of us admire the work that the WOPB do and therefore we have moved our presentations to September 29th at the Lodge from 4PM-6PM.   We hope that many of you will join us. Many thanks to our two outstanding guests who were flexible and agreed to be available on the 29th.   Dear Palmetto Bluff Neighbors, We hope that all of you are enjoying time with special friends and family this Summer. We are excited to announce that Courtney Hampson, CEO of Bluffton Self Help and Jim Wentworth of the Boys & Girls Club have agreed to come talk with us about their incredible organizations.  We are guessing that many of you are familiar with both organizations but for those that are not, here’s a quick summary.  A detailed description is at the URLs following the brief summaries. Bluffton Self Help  For more than 35 years, Bluffton Self Help has been providing basic needs and financial support to our community. And though their roots are in serving the generationally impoverished, their future is in supporting our families who are economically at-risk. With expanding services that include educational programming and leadership, they serve as advocates for those in need throughout our local community and beyond. With direct access to necessary resources, a deep understanding of our community needs, and significant relationships to create change, they provide those in need with a pathway toward self-sufficiency. URL: https://blufftonselfhelp.org Boys & Girls Club The mission of the Boys&Girls Club is to enable all young people, especially those with the most need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsive citizens. URL: https://www.bgcbluffton.org/ We are hopeful that you can join us for this special session as we continue to highlight the many wonderful resources available in our broader Bluffton community. As always, please reach out to us with any comments or questions.  The volunteers of the PBNA enjoy hearing from you. PBNA Volunteers Bob Morette, Arian Ellis, Harry Haslam, Graz Graziano, Ford Bartholow, Eric Sutherland, Richard Cedrone If you have friends and neighbors who are interested in joining, please tell them to go to our website, www.pbnabluffton.com, and click “join”.

Dear Palmetto Bluff Neighbors,

We hope this note finds you happy, healthy, and prosperous as Summer arrives in full force on the Bluff.

The PBNA is excited to announce that Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner (Click here for Bio) and Town of Bluffton Police Chief Stephenie Price (Click here for Bio) have agreed to come and speak to our Residents on August 4, 2022, from 6:30-8PM at the River Road Lodge.  

The PBNA is extending an invitation for this event to all residents of PB regardless of affiliation with the PBNA.  

Following an introduction by our own Director of Security, Charles Huggins, Sheriff Tanner and Chief Price will each speak and take questions from residents. 

We hope that you will plan to join us at the River Road Lodge to learn more about these two positive forces in our community.

As always, please send any questions or comments our way.  We enjoy hearing from you. 

PBNA Volunteers

Bob Morette, Arian Ellis, Harry Haslam, Graz Graziano, Ford Bartholow, Eric Sutherland, Richard Cedrone

Dear Palmetto Bluff Neighborhood Association Member,

We are excited to announce that Kate Schaefer from the Open Land Trust (openlandtrust.org), and Jesse White from the Coastal Conservation League (coastalconservationleague.org) have agreed to come and speak to our Membership on June 3, 2022. Both biographies and organizational information are available at the perspective websites. 

Our guests will describe their organizations, objectives, and how PBNA Members can get involved.  A question and answer session will follow the presentations.

We hope that you will plan to join us at the River Road Lodge to learn more about these two positive forces in our community.

As always, please send any questions or comments our way.  We enjoy hearing from you. 

PBNA Volunteers

Bob Morette, Arian Ellis, Harry Haslam, Graz Graziano, Ford Bartholow, Eric Sutherland, Richard Cedrone

Dear Palmetto Bluff Neighborhood Association Member,

We hope this note finds you happy, healthy, and prosperous as Spring arrives in full force on the Bluff.

We are excited to announce that Kate Schaefer from the Open Land Trust (openlandtrust.org), and Jesse White from the Coastal Conservation League (coastalconservationleague.org) have agreed to come and speak to our Membership on June 3, 2022. Both biographies and organizational information are available at the perspective websites. 

Our guests will describe their organizations, objectives, and how PBNA Members can get involved.  A question and answer session will follow the presentations.

We hope that you will plan to join us at the River Road Lodge to learn more about these two positive forces in our community.

Unrelated, we have posted a new FAQ on the PBNA Website in the Member Area concerning the financial reserves of the Preservation Trust.  Please take a look at this important issue.  

As always, please send any questions or comments our way.  We enjoy hearing from you. 

PBNA Volunteers

Bob Morette, Arian Ellis, Harry Haslam, Graz Graziano, Ford Bartholow, Eric Sutherland, Richard Cedrone

Dear Palmetto Bluff Neighborhood Association Member,

We recently sent you a Communication relaying that the Town of Bluffton’s Negotiating Committee will meet on May 17, 2022 at 2pm to consider the SSP proposed amendments to the Development Agreement regarding a second dry stack and overwater fueling at Anson.  The updated FAQ on this subject is available on the PBNA website  

We wanted to pass on the names and email addresses of the the Negotiating Committee obtained from the Town for those of you who may not be able to attend but would like to voice your support or displeasure with the proposed amendments.  

Lisa Sulka	Chair - Mayor	lsulka@townofbluffton.com
Fred Hamilton	Affordable Housing Committee Chair	fhamilton@townofbluffton.com
Alice G. Howard	Beaufort County Council Chair or Designee  (Designee)	ahoward@bcgov.net
Berl Davis	DRCI Chair or Designee	bdavis@palmetto.coop
Amanda Denmark	Planning Commission Chair or Designee	amanda@pscottarch.com
Ashley Feaster	Bluffton Citizen	ashleynfeaster@gmail.com
Carol Pringle	Bluffton Citizen	raycarolpringle@yahoo.com

As always, we enjoy hearing from you.  Please send comments and questions our way.

PBNA Volunteers

Bob Morette, Arian Ellis, Harry Haslam, Graz Graziano, Ford Bartholow, Eric Sutherland, Richard Cedrone

Dear Palmetto Bluff Neighborhood Association Member,

We hope that this note finds you happy and well, whether you are in Palmetto Bluff enjoying the beautiful April weather or elsewhere.

Several members have contacted us about the issue of noise from weddings and other events organized by the Montage Hotel in community spaces such as Wilson Village and Moreland Landing. Recently a large wedding was even held at Longfield Stables, causing disruptions to our neighbors who board their horses there.  

The Bluffton Town Noise Ordinance appears to restrict noise to a maximum of 50 decibels and states that the noise cannot be heard beyond 250 feet. Some of our neighbors believe that this is being exceeded.  One of our Members has contacted Mayor Lisa Sulka and The Town Council along with The Police Chief.

Some of our Members have been told by the Bluffton Police Department that weddings are protected from the Town Noise Ordinance as PB is a Private Club.  Some residents argue that these weddings are ‘for profit’ events organized by the Montage Hotel and should be regulated by the existing Town Ordinance.  

One of our Members, Jimeale Hede, is organizing a petition

to attempt to correct this issue at the Town Council level.  If you would like to support Jimeale’s efforts, we recommend that you contact Jimeale Hede at JJHEDE@icloud.com / 917-363-6688 to learn more before deciding to sign the petition.  The Hede family is taking this action after contacting South Street Partners without reply.

(Click here) to review the petition online.

As always, we enjoy hearing from you. 

PBNA Volunteers

Bob Morette, Arian Ellis, Harry Haslam, Graz Graziano, Ford Bartholow, Eric Sutherland, Richard Cedrone

Dear Palmetto Bluff Neighborhood Association Member,

We have an update from the Town of Bluffton on the earlier information (below) that we provided concerning the proposed amendments to the Development Agreement regarding a second dry stack and overwater fueling at Anson.  The Town has informed us that the Negotiating Committee will next meet on May 17, 2022, at 2pm to consider the SSP request.   The meeting will be held at the Town Hall, at 20 Bridge Street in Bluffton. The public is invited to attend and normally is allowed to contribute during the public comment portion of the meeting. In addition, you can email comments to Committee members.

Generally, materials prepared by Town Staff and the applicant (in this case, SSP) are provided to the Committee before the meeting. These materials are public, and can be accessed via the Town’s website, (Click here). As of today, no materials are posted.

To remind, the seven-member Negotiating Committee is tasked with assisting Town Council by coordinating and negotiating on behalf of the Town with applicants, property owners, and their representatives to define proposals, terms, and commitments related to Annexation petitions, Development Agreements and any subsequent modifications per the Resolution adopted on July 20, 2010, establishing the Committee.

Proposed Amendments to the Development Agreement regarding a second dry stack and overwater fueling at Anson.  Our most recent information from the Bluffton Town Manager is that SSP initiated further discussions with Town staff in mid-March but has yet to request a second formal meeting of the Negotiating Committee.  As you may recall, the Bluffton Town Council referred the question to the Negotiating Committee on November 9, 2021 and the Negotiating Committee met on January 6, 2022 for two hours.  At that meeting, the Committee Chair instructed SSP to conduct a community meeting with PB property owners, which SSP held on February 17, 2022.

Please reach out to us with any questions or comments.

PBNA Volunteers

Bob Morette, Arian Ellis, Harry Haslam, Graz Graziano, Ford Bartholow, Eric Sutherland, Richard Cedrone

Dear PBNA Members,

Many of you have suggested we publish a regular, periodic update or newsletter, and this is our first.  The format and timing will likely evolve but for now we commit to updating members every other month.  Of course, these newsletters will not replace subject specific emails on important topics that seem to arise with some regularity.

Proposed Amendments to the Development Agreement regarding a second dry stack and overwater fueling at Anson.  Our most recent information from the Bluffton Town Manager is that SSP initiated further discussions with Town staff in mid-March but has yet to request a second formal meeting of the Negotiating Committee.  As you may recall, the Bluffton Town Council referred the question to the Negotiating Committee on November 9, 2021 and the Negotiating Committee met on January 6, 2022 for two hours.  At that meeting, the Committee Chair instructed SSP to conduct a community meeting with PB property owners, which SSP held on February 17, 2022.

Litigation.  As we reported in our April 17^th FAQ, a group of Palmetto Bluff property owners initiated a lawsuit, filed on April 12, 2022, against the PB developer (and related entities and individuals).   Please know that this litigation may take two to four years to resolve, and we have no news to report now.  Based upon our research, no further legal steps have been taken beyond what we reported to you earlier.

Ambassador Program.  We are happy to report that we have received enthusiastic responses and support for this program.  Rick Cedrone, John Boneparth, Rob and Shari Darling are working to activate this program to welcome new property owners and residents.  They will be planning training for those who have volunteered to be Ambassadors.  Thanks to all of you.

Unaccompanied Guest Policy.  While we have received many comments (both pro and con) about this new policy, we have also received requests for clarifications.  Unfortunately, we know no more than you, and we continue to recommend that you contact PB management, Rob Duckett (rduckett@southstreetpartners.com), with your questions and concerns.  

Next live PBNA member meeting.  We are lining up representatives from the SC Coastal Conservation League and the Open Land Trust (formerly known as the Beaufort Open Land Trust) to discuss their activities and programs to keep our corner of South Carolina a special place.  We will announce a date, time and place shortly.

FAQ Zoom Meetings.  We will pilot 45-minute zoom calls to explain selected FAQs, including time for member Q&A.  These will be scheduled and announced shortly.   The first two will address PB entity structure and member rights under the governing documents.  If these zooms prove useful, we will schedule additional zoom meetings. 

Future FAQs.  We plan to post a FAQs on financial reserves, generally, and specifically regarding the PB Preservation Trust.  In addition, we are working on another FAQ regarding the PB Conservancy. 

PBNA Financials.  Our 1Q2022 financials are now posted on our website, pbnabluffton.com.

Feedback.  We welcome and enjoy feedback.  Please reach out to us at pbna2020@gmail.com.

PBNA Volunteers

Bob Morette, Arian Ellis, Harry Haslam, Graz Graziano, Ford Bartholow, Eric Sutherland, Richard Cedrone

Dear Palmetto Bluff Neighborhood Association Member, Your PBNA is interested in increasing support to our PB community.  To this end, we have been working on developing a program to help fill a critical void in our community with respect to being a resource to the existing and ever-increasing number of new residents that are arriving daily.  This initiative is not meant to replace anything that anyone is doing currently to embrace and assist our new neighbors.  Instead, we hope that we can augment what others are doing.   Please see the proposed information paper on where we would like to go with this. (Click here) In short, we would like to be able to identify new residents, pair them up with an ‘Ambassador’, and make newcomer’s transitions easier -- a true ‘neighbor to neighbor’ program.  We would also place the resources that we have developed on the PBNA website for all to use.  Recommended service providers will be sourced from PBNA members -- everything from DMV info to pet care, to where to get your hair and nails done.  Our special thanks to PBNA Members, John Boneparth, and Rob & Shari Darling, John came forward with this idea and the others quickly rolled up their sleeves by joining him and other PBNA volunteers to flesh the idea out.  John had seen a similar program work at a previous community and being new here, believed that it was missing at PB. We approached and attempted to collaborate with Gray Ferguson several times to ensure that PB management’s perspectives were considered.    In the end, while Gray understood the need for such an initiative and thought that program outline was ‘outstanding,’ he did not support partnering with the PBNA on this endeavor.  Regardless, we want to press on and assist as many of our neighbors as possible through this ‘neighbor to neighbor’ approach.  We need your help.  Please review the outline and consider if you would be available to be an Ambassador for your neighborhood.  We will provide very helpful handouts and training.  The more Ambassadors that we can identify, the more coverage we can extend to our neighbors.  Given the lack of PB management support, we will also need your assistance in identifying new residents so that we can reach out as soon as possible.  Once we have a quorum of Volunteers, we will convene a training session on property. As always, please continue to communicate with any comments or questions that you may have. We enjoy hearing from you.   Warm regards, PBNA Volunteers Bob Morette, Arian Ellis, Harry Haslam, Graz Graziano, Ford Bartholow, Eric Sutherland, Richard Cedrone