PRESENT: Mayor Council: Riley Bradham, Frank Thornhill, David Dunn, Judy Suggs, Henry Holst and Town Clerk Colleen Key
ABSENT: None
Meeting called to order at 7:00
Others Present: Preston Wilson
No changes to agenda. No time requested.
Mayor motions to approve prior Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Henry Holst. Unanimously approved.
Mayor motions to approve September Meeting Minutes. Seconded by David Dunn. Unanimously approved.
TREASURERS REPORT:
FINANCIAL REPORT as of10/30/2022
PREVIOUS Ending $ CURRENT Ending $
Wells Fargo Checking $63,619.36. $79,265.86
S.C. Local Government Investment Pool $290,071.89 $290,869.64
Road Repairs YTD – $16,806.80 FTD 4912.51
NOTE: A virtual $10,000 is held aside for disaster clean up
MAYOR / COUNCIL REPORTS:
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- Planning: No one reporting.
- BZA: No one reporting.
- Code Enforcement: No one reporting
- DRB: Preston Wilson – Unisex restroom at SIYC – The Yacht Club and resident Maynard Ball who drew the plans, are working with the County to have it approved. Septic must be inspected to see if it can handle the additional load. DRB to follow up.
Frank Thornhill asks if there recently was an approval for new house on Rockland. Preston Wilson missed last meeting so cannot comment. David Dunn says the property is flagged.
- WILPC: Henry Holst – nothing to report
New Business:
Mayor and Henry Holst sign SC Treasurer’s office compliance documents indicating that they are allowed to sign checks on behalf of town.
CDH Tree Service Invoice $2200
Womble Bond and Dickinson STR Ordinance Invoice $315
Old Business:
NEU is asking for a report on the COVID funds that we received.
Council signed Comprehensive Plan and Chicken and Goat Ordinance signature page. Mayor reiterates Chicken and Goat Ordinance for Preston Wilson.
STR Ordinance – Short Term Rental (STR) Ordinance – County currently has a law that places limits on how often a home can be rented and defines what a Short-Term Rental is (County defines STR as 29 days or less and limited to 75 nights). Rockville is sovereign so does not fall under County Ordinance. Town needs to design one to avoid development, however, does not wish to offend those who currently do rent their property.
Mayor proposes template which has 4 sections:
A. Purpose and applicability.
B. Limited rental for entire Town – all zoning districts.
C. All STR must register in writing with the Town. Permitting would be the issue here. The Town would
have to have someone inspect and approve to see if the property conforms to mandated rules.
1. Charleston County would handle permitting
2. Registration could be a note from the Town to verify compliance.
3. Enforcement and violations. Permit gets revoked for a TBD time/ Unable to register for
determined time frame. Appeals process.
D. Define STR – For example, 29 days or less with the option to rent out 100 nights. Homeowners can
still rent their home for 30 days consecutively and not be considered STR.
E. Amortization of Non-conforming Uses: Grandfathering in property owners who currently short term
rent their homes. The concept indicates that if a dwelling was previously legally used as STR prior to
adoption of new STR Ordinance, that dwelling may continue be used as such for a specified amount
of time, for example 3 or 5 years, at which point they would register with the Town or renew by
presenting to BZA. One would have had to be registered with the County in this instance.
Mayor and Town Attorney have discussed 29 days is STR and 75 nights per year (comparable to Charleston County). Could allow more nights. Council to decide parameters. Preston Wilson comments on what an issue STRs are downtown and suggests that the Town should be more restrictive. Frank Thornhill shared similar perspective. Amortization to be considered those who currently do rent out their property.
Henry Holst asks who will regulate? Issue Permits? Mayor indicates that the County will not act as enforcement but will permit. Frank Thornhill comments that neighbors are going to be the best source for compliance.
Henry Holst also points out long term rental rules should be stipulated as well.
Incentive to work within the law would be having a permit revoked if rules were violated. Frank Thornhill comments that having the law on the books should discourage development.
Roads are still being maintained by CDH. The town awaits a plan from the County.
Mayor motioned to adjourn at 7:30. Seconded by Judy Suggs