Hilton Head leaders unanimously vote to keep beach accesses closed until April 30
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with information about Islanders Beach Park.
Hilton Head Island leaders have voted to keep public beach access points closed until April 30, even as S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster has lifted restrictions on state beach access points and allowed them to reopen at local leaders’ discretion.
In a Tuesday meeting, the seven-member town council voted unanimously to keep the beach parks and accompanying parking lots closed in accordance with the town’s March 21 ordinance.
The council updated its plan and added a meeting on April 28 to reassess the beach closure. At that meeting, council could either vote to reopen the beaches earlier than April 30 or keep them closed even longer.
“We have to balance public safety with convenience of getting back on the beach,” Ward 6 representative Glenn Stanford said, acknowledging his own excitement about getting back on the beach.
He said he hopes council will be discuss the “decline” of coronavirus cases at its next meeting – just one week away.
The resolution also keeps parking lots at town parks closed, although the parks themselves are still open for use.
Council members also approved a measure that encourages private property owners associations and clubs such as hotels and beach clubs to keep their access points closed since the town cannot control private beach access usage.
Other beach towns keep beaches closed
Hilton Head is in good company among coastal municipalities.
Officials from Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach and Edisto Beach released a joint statement Sunday that they will continue restricting beach access despite McMaster’s order.
Exception for residents?
One council member wanted to head in a different direction.
Tamara Becker, who represents Ward 4, said she continues to push to open Islanders Beach Park — accessible only to residents with a specific parking permit or those who use the few metered parking spots.
She said opening Islanders Beach Park would allow those who don’t have private access to still exercise on the beach while maintaining social distance.
“All along I’ve asked that there be some provision for island residents to be able to access Islanders Beach Park,” she said. “I leave that again on the table.”
No other council members discussed Islanders Beach Park and it was not voted on. Becker voted in favor of keeping the town beach access points closed.
This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 3:18 PM.
