Hilton Head Committee recommends shuttles, promotion of north beaches to reduce traffic

The promotion of lesser known beaches and shuttles are some of the recommendations the Hilton Head Circle to Circle committee plans to bring before Town Council next month in an attempt to reduce traffic on the south side of the island.

More than a year ago, the Town Council charged the committee with coming up with a solution to reduce traffic near Sea Pines Traffic Circle after concerns about congestion were raised. On Friday, the committee held its last of more than 30 public meetings on the issue.

A 100-page report produced by the committee will go before the council during its regular meeting in August. The report lists 26 recommendations such as adding turn lanes at New Orleans Road and asking the planning commission to make revisions to the Land Management Ordinance that will promote walkability.

Jim Gant, committee chairman, said the implementation of a shuttle system is one of the top priorities in the report. He said the system could use a trolley to move beach-goers from off-site parking areas to the Coligny area. The recommendation includes the development of parking options in the Crossings Park region. The shuttles could also circle restaurants during the evenings, Gant said.

The promotion of beaches outside of the Coligny area is another major recommendation, Gant said. He said many tourists are unaware of other beaches, including Driessen Beach and Burkes Beach.

George Paletta, a Sea Pines Resort resident, said entering and exiting the resort can be a nightmare because of traffic.

“We need to start this ASAP,” Paletta said during the meeting. “We need to try to reduce the traffic with the trolleys.”

The promotion of other beaches also is a great idea, Paletta said

“People are missing an opportunity of a lifetime,” Paletta said. “These beaches are beautiful and have room for growth. I hope the recommendations will get a response from this town immediately.”

The Circle to Circle report calls for a marketing plan to get people to north beaches by the 2017 season. It also asks for a shuttle implementation plan by spring 2017.

Gail Quick, a former Hilton Head planning commissioner, praised the committee on the report during the meeting.

“This may be the end of the Circle to Circle Committee,” Quick said, “but if I was on the planning commission I wouldn’t be able to wait to get started on this.”

This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Hilton Head Committee recommends shuttles, promotion of north beaches to reduce traffic."