June 2, 2022 • Volume 11, Issue 6 • Complimentary • HiltonHeadSun.com
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID BLUFFTON, SC PERMIT NO. 135 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Sustainable, attainable housing the focus of town-owned tract By Tim Wood CONTRIBUTOR
For years, vocal members of the island workforce community have felt leaders have paid mere lip service to the need for truly affordable workforce housing. But there is reason for hope, as town leaders have taken steps to put real actions behind previous sound bites to push the hope toward reality. In late February, Hilton Head Island Town Manager Marc Orlando laid out a plan for a public-private partnership strategy to develop workforce housing on more than 12 acres of town-owned land near the North End post office. Town Council approved the plan in early March and gave the go-ahead to pursue the public-private partnership
idea. “Town staff spent considerable time evaluating and cataloging allowable uses for each parcel of Town-owned land, and reviewing recommendations included within our comprehensive plan and our strategic plan,” Orlando said of the proposal. “We’ve also studied demographic and housing data and support a public-private partnership to advance Town Council housing goals. We are looking for a partner who shares our vision and can help increase the affordable housing supply on the Island.” Ward 5 Town Council member Tom Lennox called the move “a watershed moment” for the island. But beyond the words, leaders are
Please see HOUSING on page 10A
COURTESY TOWN OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND
One of the proposed options for housing on property owned by the Town of Hilton Head Island near the north end post office (on the right) features townhomes – some with garages – and a pocket park.
Local celebrities, sights featured in live ‘3rd Hour of Today’ By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR
It was a picture-perfect day to show off the Lowcountry as the co-hosts of NBC’s “3rd Hour of Today” brought their live show May 20 to a beach in Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island.
Nature-loving teachers start nature camps 20A
Columbia native Craig Melvin has been bragging about the Lowcountry for years, and this location was chosen to kick off the program’s “Best Summer Ever” vacation promotion. Production took place under sunny skies with a cooling breeze that kept the heat at bay as Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Scout Troop 245 celebrates 50th anniversary June 14 22A
Dreyer and Melvin made repeated trips to and from their temporary residence to the beachside set for each piece of the hour-long program. The production was sponsored by VRBO, a vacation rental company that promises experiences vastly different from a hotel. The property from which the production
Alligator mating season in full swing 24A
operated was a six-bedroom, nine-bathroom, oceanfront house with a pool at the south end of the island in Sea Pines Resort. It was the first time since the pandemic that the cast had taken their show on the road.
Please see TODAY on page 14A
Benefits of a carefully planned landscape 52A
Sunny Side Up 3A • Editorial 4A • Sun on the Street 6A • Business 30A • Noteworthy 36A • Wellness 42A • Seniors 47A • Giving 48A • Pets 49A • Food 50A • Garden 52A • Nature 53A • Home 54A