Hilton Head to assist native islanders with permits, business licenses. Here’s how
The town of Hilton Head Island has launched a new initiative to help Gullah property owners in historic neighborhoods develop their land or start businesses.
The initiative, called the Historic Neighborhoods Permitting and Design Studio, will offer to assist native islanders in obtaining property development permits; navigating the town’s new family compound and family subdivision rules; working through a project’s conceptual site design; and applying for business licenses, among other things.
The studio also will connect residents with other resources related to heirs’ property, property taxes and development.
“Our goal is to be a one-stop resource center to help property and business owners navigate the town’s land use and development standards, prepare development applications and resolve some barriers with property use such as property buffers, setbacks, easements and rights-of-way,” wrote Sheryse DuBose, the town’s historic neighborhoods preservation administrator, in a Thursday statement.
DuBose in a Friday interview said she will manage the initiative. The town has not hired new staff members for the studio, she said. DuBose will connect native islanders with current town employees who specialize in topics such as permitting.
Residents interested in accessing the studio’s services can contact DuBose at SheryseD@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or (843) 341-4683.
In the 150 years since the end of the Civil War, freed slaves and their descendants obtained land on Hilton Head, created homes and established a shellfishing-based economy. When they died, they passed their land down through unwritten wills.
Hilton Head’s historic neighborhoods include Squire Pope, Little Stoney, Big Stoney, Jarvis, Jonesville, Old House Creek, Spanish Wells, Gardner, Chaplin, Marshland, Grassland, Big Hill, Mitchelville and Baygall.
