Bay Point Island development plan is sustainable and good stewardship | Letters
As the president of a Bluffton-based landscape architecture firm that has been involved in coastal projects from North Carolina to Florida, I can say that our proposed plans for Bay Point Island represent the vanguard of sustainability.
The resulting low imprint construction practices, preservation of open space, forest protection, and sensible stewardship will result in an improved ecosystem for an island in need of sound management.
Bay Point Island encompasses over 400 acres, of which only 50.55 acres are proposed for the eco-tourism use. Of that 50 acres, only 2.23 acres will be impacted for rooftops and other impervious surfaces; the balance of that acreage will remain as open space and protected natural resource.
All the structures will be under two stories and tucked into the tree line to protect the existing river and beachfront vegetative buffers. The views of the island now enjoyed from a passing boat will remain intact.
The plans don’t call for any paved roads; transportation throughout the island will be on foot or bicycle. Most of the facilities will be modular, built off-site and then placed in the field on pilings to avoid impacts to trees and without the use of heavy foundations.
County zoning could allow many different types of construction on this private island. The eco-tourism use and this low-impact plan are the best and most sustainable use for the land. This project will be a beacon for both Beaufort County and the world for sustainable development and stewardship.
Josh K. Tiller
Bluffton
Fix our nation before it’s too late
I was glad to see how many responses were printed in “Letters To The Editor” against COVID-19 being a Republican disease now. This is a disease that the whole country should be united in fighting together.
As July 4th passes and everything it stands for is being torn apart, we need to reflect together to mend our country that our forefathers fought for.
What has happened to freedom for all, love of country, the right to disagree (politely) without turning neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend, race against race, religion against religion, people against police (please, let’s reform the system) and Republicans and Democrats against each other. We can listen to each other, make our own decisions and vote the lawful vote.
Let’s all try by working together to fix our country before it’s gone! I’ve never written anything before, but like so many, am disgusted with the way it’s going.
God bless America!
Anne Meara
Bluffton
Hilton Head, spend the money it takes to clean the beach
Regarding the recent letter to the editor concerning excessive trash on our beaches, why do we rely on volunteers to clean this up?
Why is the Town of Hilton Head not allocating enough money to keep our beaches clean?
We are on the beaches daily and observe this to be a constant problem, not only on busy holidays.
Julia Buzzard
Hilton Head Island
Columnist tells values that make us special
Oh, no! The community has to intervene to stop David Lauderdale’s retirement. His wit and wisdom are too important to the future of this place.
He reminds us of Hilton Head Island’s past, and perhaps most importantly, the values that made this community special. He also prods us to think about how our behavior and choices play a role in its future. In so many ways, he has been our community conscience.
David Lauderdale deserves our community’s admiration and thanks. He has mine.
David Ames
Hilton Head Island