One thing is for certain among the new council members: 2023 is going to be a critical year. And the returning council members agreed. At the first Kiawah Island Town Council meeting for 2023 held on Jan. 10, the three new council members made their debut. Mayor John Labriola introduced them and allowed them to each speak about some of their priorities coming into the new roles. Council member Bradley Belt was first. He started out by addressing the audience and saying that he is available to speak in-person and that he looks forward to meeting everyone. He even went on to say that he would like to plan an occasional Town Hall to meet with residents and other community members in person. One of his main priorities is to embrace the public and hear them out on a wide range of community issues. “We’ll never have consensus on everything, but it’s important we engage with each other on a regular basis,” Belt said.
Belt went through a number of concerns that he has, as he begins his tenure on Town Council. He mentioned that he has concerns with the internal governance issues that the Town has with KICA and Charleston County. He said that believes that the Town should take a leadership role on local and regional matters. “Kiawah Island in many respects is the economic engine for Charleston County disproportionally so in terms of property tax revenue and the fact that we have two of the largest employers – the resort and Kiawah Partners,” Belt said. “It would be incumbent upon the town to take a leadership role with other stakeholder interests.” Belt went on to say that he believes that the Andell West property is in a good place and commended the team at Riverstone for working with the community in a “constructive fashion.” He also commended the Cassique HOA and Preserve Kiawah for their roles in getting Kiawah to where they are now with Riverstone. Belt said he is mindful that engagement with the public needs to be improved, and in that same vein he brought up the number of developments occurring on the island that will be progressing throughout 2023. Belt then brought up the development agreement, which has been in discussion many times in recent Council meetings. He has concerns with it in regards to its validity by law and the issues related to the ARB and zoning. In fact, Belt brought up specifically the concerns related to the Town’s relationship with the ARB in respect to the development agreement. “It appears to give the ARB and/or the developers exclusive jurisdiction over some of the zoning matters, lot standards, other building development standards and variances. This restricts the town from engaging in the whole process,” Belt said. He noted the increased number of citizen complaints about the business practices of the ARB and questioned whether the ARB has a business license registered. “I think all this needs to be looked at from a governance standpoint, as well as for the safety and well-being of our citizens,” Belt concluded. Council member Russell Berner gave a quick introduction. As the liaison to the board of zoning and appeals, he wanted to make residents aware of a few requests, particularly the expansion of the dock at Mingo Point.
“It’s a significant expansion. I don’t think residents realize it. I encourage the town and residents to get involved. It is going to be expanding pretty far out into the river,” Berner said.
Berner also noted that as the liaison for the public safety committee, he takes safety very seriously. He said he has located a blind spot by the Freshfields Circle that he feels the town needs to address.
Berner said he is also concerned about the design of the new exit from the island at the front gate due to the safety of the workers. “Whatever design we put forth, I do not want to put workers at risk,” he added.
“That will need to be addressed this month.” Lastly, Michael Heidingsfelder, expressed his appreciation for how the mayor and the town has been involved with the Andell West development. Heidingsfelder asked Edens, which is the current owner of Freshfields, to not further delay the process and to meet with Riverstone in regards to the two connection points between Freshfields and the Andell West property.
“There are discussions going on and I think it is in the best of interest of the community for it to be resolved quickly,” Heidingsfelder said.
Heidingsfelder mentioned a similar situation with the new MUSC project and the adjacent property owner not yet fully cooperating. “Again, I hope this takes place in the best interest of the community because this is just holding up construction for an important infrastructure measure.” Lastly, Heidingsfelder also noted the increased commentary by the public about the ARB. “I urge us as a Council to look at this in collaboration with KICA to clarify how to proceed with the ARB in the future.” Heidingsfelder ended by mentioning that he is glad that the community is engaging with Town Council, but he asks that members of the community keep their comments professional.
“There is sometimes a tone and attitude that I feel is greatly disrespectful and inappropriate,” Heidingsfelder said. “I want to call on the community to please refrain from personal accusations and inflammatory or combative language. I urge us all to remain civil and human, and to only have constructive and productive exchanges between Council and the community.”
The following are the committees that Council members will work with:
Bradley Belt – Liaison to the Arts Council, Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and The Johns Island Task Force.
Russell Berner – Liaison for the Public Safety Committee, Board of Zoning and Appeals and The Johns Island Task Force.
Michael Heidingsfelder – Liaison for the Audit Commission, Planning Commission, Environmental Committee and the Kiawah Conservancy.
