Is the Sea Pines gate fee going up? Maybe not

The proposed gate fee increase in Sea Pines is still lacking a key step in the approval process.

Last month, an increase from $6 to $10 during the summer months was approved by the boards of the Association of Sea Pines Plantation Property Owners and Sea Pines’ Community Services Associates. But for the gate fee to increase, written approval must be given by both the Sea Pines Resort and Sea Pines Center.

Mark Griffith, president of CSA, said Thursday no written approval has been received from either entity. He said he expects the Sea Pines Center to object to the increase and Sea Pines Resort to approve it.

Griffith said he has met with the manager of the Sea Pines Center to to see if a compromise can be reached.

Mark King, manager of the Sea Pines Center, said in an email Thursday that the center is “working toward the goal of reaching a mutually beneficial resolution.”

Steve Birdwell, president of Sea Pines Resort, has said publicly the resort would support an increase in the gate fee. Birdwell said Thursday the resort has not yet been asked to give formal, written approval.

Birdwell said he has been involved in discussions with the Sea Pines Center, noting the center fears the effects an increased gate fee might have on business to the shops in Sea Pines.

Supporting the gate fee is part of the benefits the resort has offered to residents as part of a controversial referendum to expand The Inn & Club at Harbour Town. Birdwell said previously the resort would give approval of the gate fee increase prior to the referendum vote, which is scheduled for this fall.

The last gate fee increase was in 2013 when it was raised from $5 to the current $6.

This story was originally published July 13, 2017 at 3:18 PM with the headline "Is the Sea Pines gate fee going up? Maybe not."