Beaufort Co. leaders recommend denying the latest push for St. Helena Island golf course

by Aaron Dixon

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - Beaufort County leaders are recommending that the county council deny another request to build a golf course on St. Helena Island.

Pine Island Property Holdings filed the rezoning application back in September.

The developer asked the planning commission to approve it based on the county’s comprehensive plan and community development code.

Residents of the island have gathered on several occasions in response to voice their opposition.

Each time, they urged leaders to stand by the cultural protection overlay passed in 1999, which bans golf courses, resorts, and gated communities to protect Gullah Geechee culture.

Pine Island says this rezoning application should be treated like every other application, and they should be able to be removed from the CPO.

After it was all said and done, the Beaufort County Planning Commission sided with the CPO in place.

The recommendation and the request will now go before county council for consideration.