Beaufort County Council created a new advisory board Monday that will help guide visual improvements along high-traffic corridors in southern Beaufort County.
County administrator Gary Kubic said the Southern Beaufort County Corridor Beautification Board's main objective will be making busy roads such, as U.S. 278 and Bluffton Parkway, more attractive.
"I think the purpose is to focus attention on one of the primary gateways and on the beautification and consistency along the gateway itself -- so that when a resident, visitor or person doing business enters that corridor, it's something special," Kubic said.
The board won't spend any money, but it will offer input to County Council on everything from landscape architecture to lighting upgrades along roads the county owns or maintains.
The board will consist of nine members: one each from seven central and southern County Council districts and also representatives nominated by Bluffton and Hilton Head Island town councils.
Visual improvements to the region's major gateways have long been a priority for Bluffton officials. On Monday, town manager Anthony Barrett praised the new advisory board as something that "should be welcomed by all."
County Councilman Tabor Vaux, who represents Old Town Bluffton and surrounding areas, also backs the plan, which was approved unanimously.
"I think it's got a good opportunity to improve the area," he said.
Kubic, who had argued for a countywide body instead of one focusing just on the southern region, said a similar northern board could be created, as well.
OTHER ACTION
In other action Monday, County Council:
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