March 1, 2023
The enthusiastic conversation among community members about Palmetto Bluff (PB) in recent weeks reflects increasing concerns and a growing desire to learn more about and preserve the place we love.
The PB Community Advocates (PBCA) appreciate the outreach and support from many homeowners, some of whom were unknown to us prior to our first note. The number of neighbors who share our concerns about the future of Palmetto Bluff is very encouraging and reinforces our core view:
PBCA feels strongly that specific adjustments to the Preservation Trust, Palmetto Bluff Club, Community Charter, and Palmetto Bluff Foundation are essential to ensure that Palmetto Bluff remains a special place that thrives in the future. From the outset, Palmetto Bluff was intended to be a unique community that cherishes the Low Country – not a transaction vehicle for private equity and international investment firms. For those who live here now and those who join us later, we are advocating for the following:
The Preservation Trust (the community’s non-profit HOA) should administer the community in accordance with the Governing Documents and have a Board of Stewards who act as fiduciaries. The Developer should commit to adequately funding the Trust’s reserve, include property owner representation on the Board of Stewards, and provide complete financial transparency. These actions, in accordance with the laws governing South Carolina non-profits, will strengthen community durability.
The structure of the Palmetto Bluff Club (the Developer’s for-profit venture), future amenity plan, and accessibility should be adjusted and reflect members’ priorities. The Developer should convert the Club to a non-profit mutual benefit corporation, commit to a reasonable timeline for planning and providing adequate amenities in correlation to the community’s size, and restore guest access for homes in Designated Rental Areas (DRA). These actions will better balance the financial interests of the Developer with the long-term needs of the community.
The Community Charter should be amended to restrict the Designated Rental Areas to those that are currently in existence. The Developer should commit to limiting the number of homes in Designated Rental Areas to 5% of the total homes in the community. Thus, no more than 200 of Palmetto Bluff’s 4,000 potential homes could be within a DRA. This action will allow the existing DRA homes to contribute to the healthy growth of the community and, at the same time, eliminate the potential for an unfettered number of short-term visitors in the future – be it from private homes or those built under the hotel owner’s program (currently Montage Residences).
The non-profit Palmetto Bluff Foundation (also known as the Conservancy) should be a prominent community component. The Developer should commit to prioritizing conservation. This action can restore the Conservancy to its originally intended priority now and in the future, maintaining the unique allure of Palmetto Bluff’s natural setting – a primary reason that many of us chose this special place.
In closing, we are inspired by the many offers to help and the creative ideas that we have received. PBCA has been very pleased to welcome new supporters to the litigation effort over the last few weeks, along with countless other actions of positive outreach. Please feel free to respond with your thoughts and ideas. We are committed to continuing to share knowledge and ideas with our community. Since we are also interested in hearing all points of view, you are welcome to share this note with your neighbors.
Sincerely,
PB Community Advocates
pbcommunityadvocates@gmail.com