Owner Info

May 29, 2008

This is the Spring issue of the Pawleys Tides.  It is the way that the Town Council of Pawleys keeps all property owners and residents informed about what is happening at Pawleys.

THE CREEK DREDGING PROJECT IS COMPLETE AND UNDER BUDGET! The first “committee” I am aware of met nearly 17 years ago to begin working on a creek dredging project. We have been following up on a project for nearly 10 years! Thanks to Mike Adams and Mickey Bourne who worked with us to finally get a project done. We all are pleased with the fact that the project was completed within the construction budget and we were even able to get the boat ramp replaced within our project budget. Because the project ran so much longer than the agreed time we were substantially over budget on engineering costs, only partially offset by late damages paid by the contractor. MANY THANKS to the many Island property owners who contributed nearly $75,000 and really made the project possible! Contrary to newspaper reports, the depth of the dredging was to specifications in 98 percent of the dredge area. The contractor was allowed to dredge a little deeper to be sure he met the contract, and he could have gotten paid for this “over-dredge” which was not accomplished. There have been questions regarding why we didn’t dredge other areas of the creek, or dredge wider where we did dredge. The answer is that over the past 10 years we were turned down for a permit for the whole creek, we then did additional engineering and submitted 7 sites for permitting. We were only allowed to permit 4 of the 7 sites and therefore we have dredged what we were allowed to dredge. We believe this project will substantially improve our creek and marsh’s ability to survive and flourish in the years ahead. Our thanks to anybody who was inconvenienced during the project!

PRITCHARD STREET BOAT RAMP: The Dredging created a 5 foot drop at the end of this boat ramp (which has always had a gradient much less than what is recommended for even launching a creek boat.) Council decided that the ramp should be replaced at the proper grade rather than just repairing it. Good and safe access to the creek was the deciding factor. Abbott Construction of McClellanville was awarded a contract to replace the ramp as soon as the dredge was out of the creek. They are on schedule to have the ramp completed and open the week of June 1.

SOUTH END BEACH RENOURISHMENT IS NOW DEPENDENT ON CONGRESSMAN BROWN AND SENATOR GRAHAMS EFFORTS TO ADD OUR PROJECT DURING THE FEBERAL APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS!  The Federal financial picture has been made more difficult by the problems in the economy, and the long political season. Both of these gentlemen have our project as a high priority to get the Federal portion of our project funded. If you can take a moment your thanks to them would be both appropriate and helpful. The email addresses are: http://lgraham.senate.gov/public/ and http://brown.house.gov/ .

PROPERTY AT THE SOUTH CAUSEWAY AND HIGHWAY 17:  This property, which was the site for the proposed Lowes store that was derailed by the “don’t box the neck” effort, has recently been cleared of underbrush and most of the pine trees. (Unfortunately, Georgetown County still does not consider pine trees to be “trees” under the tree ordinance!) The County Planning officials tell me that there has been no application for any sort of building permit. Any permit application would be considered a “major change” in the property zoning and would take public hearings as well as affirmative action by County Council.

PUBLIC PARKING:  We have had a large increase in public use of the beach accesses this spring. As a result we have become more proactive with issuing ($55) parking tickets in order to keep the roadways and driveways clear. The Council has also considered towing cars, which Chief Osborne is looking into. We don’t like to increase the number of signs on Pawleys but you will see more “parking directive” signs. Some of our visitors are not being respectful of private property and, if you have a problem, we encourage you to call the Police Department at 237-3008. If no one is in the office the call will be forwarded to the Georgetown Sheriffs dispatch and they will contact the Pawleys officer on duty by radio to respond to your call.

FLOOD INSURANCE INFORMATION: Contained in the Town’s UDO, the development regulations provide for permit requirements and design standards for suitability of the land in flood prone areas.  Furthermore, the Town’s UDO’s Flood Damage Prevention Regulations requires a development permit prior to the commencement of any development activities.

All of the Town of Pawleys Island is in the floodplain, therefore, all floodplain development in the Town (not just the construction of buildings) needs local permits.  All developers are advised to contact the Georgetown County Building Department before clearing, grubbing, grading, bringing in fill material, and any proposed disturbing of any sand dune. The Building Departments telephone number is 843-545-3116. Any person may file a written complaint stating the causes and bases. The complaint will be immediately investigated and action taken as provided by the appropriated Town regulation.  Penalties for violation are discussed in the Town’s Unified Development Ordinance.

The Town has enforceable ordinances against depositing refuse and solid waste in creeks, ditches, storm drains, drainage channels etc. Signs regarding this ordinance will be posted at each boat ramp, the Park and the south end parking lot. Anyone who wishes to report a violation of the ordinance should call Town Hall at 843-237-1698. The Police Department will investigate.

For zoning questions and permit applications, developers should contact Mr. Ciro DiLorenzo, Zoning Administrator, 120 Broad Street, Georgetown, SC  29440; 843-545-3129;

cdilorenzo@georgetowncountysc.org. 

PAVILION REUNION: At the last minute, Attorney Jimmy Chandler and the South Carolina Environmental Law Project with the help of the Pawleys Litchfield Business Association agreed to take over the 11^th Pawleys Pavilion Reunion when the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce decided they could not do it. Tickets were more expensive, but the multiple varieties of food available were free! In spite of a thunder shower at 6:30PM, there were probably around 1,500 of us at the Pawleys Park that evening, and most agreed that it was one of the better reunions!

UNDERGROUND POWER LINES: We have received a very generous contribution from a Foundation directed by two Pawleys property owners to help underwrite the extra costs of underground wire north of the south causeway. It certainly is a wonderful beginning and we solicit additional help from other foundations in order to expand our underground wire project.                          Hayne Hipp has agreement from over 80% of the property owners on Myrtle Avenue from just south of the South Causeway to Hazard Street in the “Birds Nest” section of Pawleys. We are in the process of calling those we have not heard from as we need at least 16 in a row without any gaps to begin a project. There is money available from the Town and from a SCDOT historic grant for underground wire in the historic district. If your house is on Myrtle Avenue between Hazard Street and the South Causeway and you have not yet responded, Hayne or I will be in touch with you by phone. The property owners half of the total cost has been estimated to be around $2,500 per 60 foot lot, plus connecting to the house if your on site power is not underground. The actual cost of the project less the grant and town portion will be divided among the participating property owners.

Hayne Hipp

864-241-5432

hhipp@135SouthMain.com

SAND FENCE PERMIT:  Our general permit for sand fence on the dunes expires June 16^th We still have money for any property owners who wishes to install sand fence on the dunes prior to June 16^th with the town picking up 50% of the cost up to $180.00 per 60 foot lot. The fence must be installed on the face of the dune and not on the beach. Contact Diane Allen at Town Hall (843-237-1698) for further information. Our permit will not be renewed.

WE HAVE OUR FIRST TURTLE NEST OF THE YEAR! The nest is in the 400 block of Myrtle and the mother got far enough on the dune where the eggs didn’t have to be moved. Please be careful about outside lights that can be seen from the beach, as they can cause the young turtles to go the wrong way! Also be careful about tents on the beach, holes in the beach and items left on the low areas of the dunes overnight. When the turtles come here to lay their eggs and the beachfront has bright lights on, or has obstacles such as beach chairs, tents, wagons, umbrellas, etc. in their way, these turtles will leave that beach and go to another beach or expel their eggs. These obstacles are also a problem for the hatchlings as they leave the nest.  Holes left on the beach at night that are dangerous for the little turtles are also dangerous for people. Please be sure your summer inhabitants know about these concerns. This summer meet your friends at a nest “dig” after a hatching, its great fun! Hatchings are posted at Town Hall.  If you see a turtle on the beach or turtle tracks please call contact Mary or Phil Schneider at 237-3942 or 455-1242 (Cell).

Get Your Turtle Magnet! The Pawleys Island Civic Association has joined with the SC United Turtle Enthusiasts (SCUTE) in sponsoring the printing of an attractive refrigerator magnet.  The 6” x 8” magnetic sheet lists “Do’s and Don’ts” for protecting sea turtle nests and hatchlings and provides contact phone numbers for the SCUTE Coordinators.  Please stop by Town Hall and pick one up.  They’re free!

BEACH VITEX ERADICATION: Clemson's Beach Vitex eradication program has made great progress in completing the eradication of Vitex from Pawleys Island. The crew has cleared all of the beach Vitex which was injected last fall. Replanting began in May and is nearly complete. Our “SCUTE” turtle walkers on the beach are also looking for any return of Vitex and we will stay on top of any returning plants.

CANOE AND KAYAK RACE: Will be held beginning at 5:00 PM on July 16^th this year. The creek entry at the Pawleys Park will be the staging area again this year. The race is great fun and all are invited. Entry forms will be available at Town Hall. There are heats, so all age groups are “competing” against their peers.  If you don’t have a kayak or canoe, they are available to rent, and can be picked up before the race! Thanks to Scott Benston of Surf the Earth and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Adams for putting on the race.

FOURTH OF JULY PARADE: The parade this year will be held on Friday, the fourth of July. The Parade will begin at 10 AM, with line up at 9:30 on the South Causeway, which will be closed. Applications and T Shirts will again be available at Town Hall beginning about June 15^th. We will continue the process that large floats will be diverted at Second Street on the north end so as to reduce the problems with the north end turn-around. We remind everyone that water guns or the spraying of water on or from floats is prohibited by law.

TRASH PICKUPS: There will be a mid-summer trash pickup again this year. The next two pickups will be immediately after the Fourth of July weekend, July 7^th and 8th, and after Labor Day September 2^nd and 3^rd.  Please don’t put out trash until the day before the pickup. Roadside trash is not collected on Pawleys at any time other than the scheduled pickup dates. The pickups are for miscellaneous trimmings and trash you need to dispose of, excluding garbage, shingles, asbestos, liquid paint and hazardous wastes, which will not be accepted at the recycling centers. Please don’t pile loose paper or leaves. They need to be in bags to be picked up. The landfill is getting more and more particular and we need to cooperate in order to continue this service.

PORCH COLLAPSE: We had a roofed in screened porch (not a “deck” as has been reported) partially collapse this past weekend resulting in two injuries requiring hospitalization, and a number of sprains and abrasions. Apparently there were about 50 people on the porch when it happened. The house is an older Pawleys house. If you believe there will be the possibility of a large number of folks on a porch or deck of a house, particularly an older one, it may not be a bad idea to have an engineer, inspector or contractor take a look at the structural system from time to time and advise you.

BEAUTIFICATION FOUNDATION: Thanks again to the Hodge Family for their gift of the property adjacent to the sewer lift station at the corner of Myrtle and Doyle. The Beautification Foundation has added some fencing and will plant and maintain the area, including the lift station, as a small park to be known as the “Birds Nest Park”.

Please don’t forget that your gifts and memorials to the foundation serve a continued purpose in maintaining a pleasant Pawleys vista. Tax deductible memorials may be made to the Pawleys Island Beautification Foundation, P.O. Box 2712, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.

We cordially invite you to any town council meeting on the second Monday of each month in the Pawleys Library conference room. We provide time at the beginning of the meeting for anyone to speak for up to three minutes to express a concern, or just simply to speak to council. If I can be of further service please don’t hesitate to call me at my home office 237-8005, or at my home, 237-2053. The other current council members are Mayor Pro Tem Mike Adams (237-0394), Mary McAllister (237-2047), Glennie Tarbox (237-8228), and Sarah Zimmerman (237-7774). Any of us would be happy to sit down with you to discuss your interests or concerns.

Your Island looks great and summer is upon us! We look forward to seeing you here on Pawleys.

Sincerely,

William L. Otis Jr.

Mayor