01/30/2009
D
R
A
F
T
CSE
–S&W–DEW [DRAFT]
Accreted Land Management Plan
2
2253 [30 JANUARY 2009]
Town of Sullivan’s Island, SC
Existing Ordinances and Deed Restrictions
In 1991, the town of Sullivan’s Island took steps to protect over 90 acres of accreted beach-
front property from residential and commercial development by means of ordinance and deed
restrictions. This has created a rare conservation and recreation zone along the seaward edge
of a populated barrier island. The 90 acres have continued to grow by way of natural accretion
and now support a great biodiversity – including maritime grassland, shrub-land forest, and
interdunal wetland (and birds of many species) – that is readily accessible to residents and
visitors.
Under the existing ordinance, the Town allows contiguous property owners to prune specifi-
cally identified shrubs (eg – waxed myrtle) to maintain oceanview corridors. The impacts of
such pruning can be beneficial as well as detrimental to associated biological communities and
natural, social, and economic resources – depending on the objective. For example, selective
pruning encourages horizontal growth of the applicable plant into areas that could be occupied
by other plants to create more diversity of species. Expanding understory inhibits movement
of animals, increases the density of brush, and provides more fuel for fires during drought
conditions. Some believe limiting the height of shrub species increases the vulnerability of the
area to storm tides. Others point to the diminishment of property values and, potentially, the
local tax base when oceanfront houses become hidden behind stands of maritime forest.
Dense vegetation adjacent to a popular suburban beach introduces security and public-safety
issues that are generally of less concern along other barrier islands where development is
close to the ocean.
With a range of opinions regarding how the accreted land of Sullivan’s Island should be man-
aged, the zoning provisions of 1991 are not considered to be adequately science-based (Town
of Sullivan’s Island 2007). Furthermore, the existing ordinances do not provide for compre-
hensive conservation management. In addition, a number of conditions have changed since
1991, and therefore, revisions to ordinances and deed restrictions within the AL area are now
considered necessary — development has intensified on the island with a majority of year-
round residents; there has been a marked increase in the size and density of shrubs and trees;
and land-management methods and technologies have advanced.
Accordingly, the town of Sullivan’s Island issued a request for qualifications for outside assis-
tance in developing a scientifically-based accreted land management plan (ALMP). In June
2008, the Town retained a Team of professionals from the firms of Coastal Science & Engi-
neering Inc (CSE-Columbia), Sabine & Waters Inc (S&W-Summerville) and Dewberry (Mt.