Community foundation objects to being named in proposed Pine Island development
Following the publication of the proposed development agreement for Pine Island, one organization named in the agreement said it’s not what they signed up for.
In a statement from the Coastal Community Foundation, president and CEO Darrin Goss, Sr., wrote that due to the lack of community support for the Pine Island development, they can not support the initiative. The foundation — which helps donors manage and direct their charitable giving — was also not aware that they were named in the agreement until after it was publicized.
“It is surprising to see our name and a fund investment schedule as depicted in the agreement, as this is not reflective of the conversations we have had with this developer,” Goss wrote. The statement was addressed to the Beaufort County Council.
It is common for the CCF, and other organizations, to be named in legal documents, especially those that pertain to mitigation to ensure funding is used for the intended charitable purposes, wrote Mayci McLeod, the foundation’s communications officer. But, it is not common to be named so early in the process, especially when nothing has been finalized, she wrote.
When asked if the CCF would typically be notified that they would be named in such legal documents, McLeod said yes, typically they would be.
The Beaufort County Council will vote Monday on the proposed development agreement for an 18-hole golf course, 49 homes and eight docs. Because golf courses, gated communities and resorts are not allowed on St. Helena Island under the Cultural Protection Overlay, the council will also vote on a zoning map amendment that will exempt the Pine Island property from the CPO.
The development agreement is the result of negotiations between the county and developer, following a narrow vote in at the end of August when the county council decided to enter into talks regarding the controversial project.
The new version of the proposed development agreement includes $2.5 million that will be granted to the Coastal Community Foundation, or “a similar local non-profit,” that “will administer funds to support the community through county initiatives.”
Goss wrote that the foundation had met informally with the developer over the past three years, a common practice for the CCF to do with anyone who wants to open a fund that will benefit the community.
The foundation assists donors in identifying, vetting and supporting nonprofits that align with their intent. They also manage “field of interest” funds focused on specific causes or regions, such as the Beaufort Fund, which supports nonprofits in the Beaufort area.
The CCF recommended that the Pine Island Property Holdings, LLC garner “broad community support” before the discussion could move forward and said they would not support the project until that goal was achieved. Goss did not find that the developer had solid plans to proceed with the fund or a good plan to provide “meaningful benefit” to the community that offsets the loss of cultural resources.
He asked that the council confirm the developer’s commitment to the region by requiring the creation of a fund that would be “advised and controlled by the community.” Goss suggested a starting point of 10% of the total investment to launch the fund with annual commitments to follow.
