what s next for the beach? - folly beach€¦ · mayor tim goodwin has written the corps of...
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Volume 40:11 November, 2016 Volume 41:1 January 2017 Publisher: Folly Beach Civic Club, est. 1938 POSTAL PATRON Editor: Susan Breslin, [email protected], (843) 588-3026 FOLLY BEACH 29438
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What’s Next for the Beach? The winds and tides of Hurricane Joaquin, which passed by offshore earlier this year, did serious damage to the dunes, but Hurricane Matthew, which hit onshore at high tide, obliterated many of them. The east side was hit hardest.
Major steps to protect the beach in the future had already been taken before this year’s hurricanes. The storms brought renewed energy and new initiatives.
Before the storms, the City’s coastal engineering consultant (and resident) Dr. Nicole Elko did periodic surveys of the beach, measuring changes at benchmark sites to determine if the damage required to trigger a new renourishment had been met (it has now been met and more).
A major study of sand in the Folly River revealed that there are a million cubic yards of available sand in the Folly River, and another million in the Stono shoals. Most of that sand came from the beach, and is good beach quality. The Corps of Engineers supports using river sand, but it must be removed carefully, because Bird Key and Skimmer Flats are major bird sanctuaries, especially for pelicans. It’s also close, and that reduces costs. Elko estimates that in the last renourishment, $10 million in costs was added because the borrow pit was four miles out to sea.
The damage from Matthew was substantial, especially on the east end. Most dunes were wiped out, in Folly Beach and up and down the southeast coast. Water comes under many houses in the 1600 and 1700 blocks at high tide. A 100-foot hole was punched in the Washout. Overall, 250,000 cubic yards of sand were washed away from the beach – 33% of the total.
The big question is when or whether the Federal government will sign on to funding and performing a new renourishment. There’s a formal assessment every June, and the City hopes the results will feed into approval of a new renourishment in 2018.
Mayor Tim Goodwin has written the Corps of Engineers, formally requesting repair of damage from Joaquin and Matthew. The City is working with the Department of Transportation and FEMA on a revetment of the hole in the Washout. Council has just approved a plan to hire a
contractor to rebuild the old groins on the beach from East 8th Street to the Washout, using City and State funds.
What should individual beachfront owners do? Building Engineer Eric Lutz says in most cases, this is not the right situation to install sand fences. He recommends planting sea oats. He urges that private walkovers be rebuilt a foot above adjacent elevations, not sand levels under the walkovers (which tend to be lower).
Some property owners are building sea walls. Owners on East 12th Street got together to build a common wall. The process destroys most dunes that are left, but OCRM (Office of Coastal Resource Management) requires that they be rebuilt.
The City has been putting funds into a separate renourishment account, and the State has approved funds to help. But the cost of another renourishment is unknown. The last renourishment was very costly -- $30 million – because the sand was sucked up four miles out, and because there was so much renourishment being done up and down the coast that only two companies would bid on the Folly project.
photo by Eric Lutz
Water comes under many east end houses at high tide. This
house has no protection; the house in the distance has a seawall.
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Folly Clubs and Organizations
Civic Club Happy 2017. I want to thank our past President, Regina Anderson, for a wonderful year, and invite everyone to join us Tuesday January 17th at 7 pm in the Community Center for continued discussion about Folly Beach’s Boards and Commissions. Speakers for the January meeting are Beth Saunders for the Planning Commission, Toni Catoe for the Board of Zoning Appeals, and Gary Brown for the Design Review Board. They will explain how their committees work and answer your questions about them.
Please visit your local clubs and join with your neighbors to better know and improve our community.
Congratulations to our “Light up Folly” contest winners. The Board named the following winners (names are owners or renters of record): First: ($200) 1208 East Arctic – Elton & Charlotte Culpepper Second: ($100) 307 West Indian – Chad & Heather Wall Third (tie): ($50) 414 West Cooper – Lisa Ritter 1402 East Ashley -- Andrea Weathers Runners-Up: 208 West Hudson – Rudolph Ritchie 301 West Indian – Gordon & Sue King
If you want to receive a hard copy of the Sandspur in your PO Box, please contact Toni Catoe at 843-588-2055 or [email protected] if you want it in the mail; otherwise you can view it online at the City of Folly Beach website or on our Facebook page. “D” Doyle Word 843-588-2297
Home and Garden Club
2017's first Yard of the Month is 347 Shadow Race Lane, home of Cindy and Don Bonitz. They chose Folly two years ago, when they retired from North Carolina, having visited numerous times. The people on Folly are the main enticement.
Their home is centered by three tall palmettos in a circular bed they created after removing vines from the entry staircase. One high nandina lives behind, with crepe myrtles anchoring each side while a silver ball mirrors the scene.
Hydrangeas and hostas reside below one of the many large live oaks in the left side bed. A colorful bottle tree is hanging from a limb.
An unusual bounty is found to the far right. Succulents in a bird bath lead to yuccas below a wind-curved oak, all encased by repurposed pilings. More succulents found a home in a lengthy chunk of wood along the marsh. Tall lemongrass waves among bird feeders accented with locust fence wood from an ancestral cemetery near Bryson City.
A haven has been created near the marsh. Cindy's favorite, peaceful grasses, offer soft music. There are Adirondack
chairs for viewing the metal windmill surrounded with ornamental vine from their daughter's wedding arbor. Daisy flowers and lantana lead to the trellis covered with Carolina jasmine. An arching live oak shields the area, with Cindy's first bike, a blue western flyer, standing nearby. Matthew even blew a treasure box into the marsh for contemplating.
Congrats to the Bonitz’s for their ongoing experimental gardening. New structures are already being prepared.
The Garden Club will meet Tuesday, January 24th at noon in the Community Center. All interested parties are welcome. Happy 2017. Lynn Ray Smalley (843) 588-0093
Exchange Club
Exchange wants to thank everyone who supported our yard sale December 3rd and our Christmas Parade booth December 10th. Funds raised will help with our hut repair. The parade was awesome this year and we want to thank everyone involved with its organization and flow, and letting us be a part of it.
We wish everyone a very merry Christmas and happy holiday season. As you enjoy this time with friends and family, we ask that you be safe and make prudent decisions. We want everyone to join us in making 2017 an even better year! Members, our Holiday Party will be in January and the info will be sent out after our board meeting.
Speaking of 2017, join us for our Exchange Club and Folly Association of Business golf tournament on January 31st at the Muni. Visit our Exchange Facebook page at www.facebook.com/events/1886599954894658/ for more information. We look forward to seeing you there! DJ Rich (843) 475-9787
Senior Citizens The Folly Beach Seniors will meet January 5th at 11 am in the Community Center. All 55 and older are invited. We will enjoy chili, cooked by Marie Lowther. Please bring a covered dish or dessert to complete our meal.
Our speaker will be a representative of the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium. They will speak about what they do and how they support the community and the Low Country.
We thank our December speaker from the Charleston Water Keeper. He enlightened us on the safety of our water.
Help us have a happy and healthy 2017 by joining us January 5th at our first 2017 meeting. We have good food and good fellowship. Thanks
Pauline Ray (843) 588-9580
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Green Team Update on Green Team adventures:
The Green Team’s next (and sixth) water bottle station will be up and running at the Children’s playground at Pirate’s Cove before the new year – hopefully.
Designs are in the works for new critter signs for the beach – a ghost crab with the message “litter makes me crabby.’
Don’t forget that the plastic bag ban on the beach goes into effect January 1st. Best suggestion for removing your trash: pack it in and pack it out – in paper.
We meet the first Thursday of every month, 6 pm at the Community Center. Everyone is welcome.
Penny Travis (843) 259-1143
from the City…..
…..Public Safety’s annual Shred Day will be Friday, January 13th from 10 am-noon in the Public Safety parking lot behind City Hall. Bring documents you don’t want people to read (ordinary paper documents can be put in your
recycling bin). Melissa Gasser 843-513-1845
…..The City will recycle Christmas Trees to use for mulch in City paths and parks, courtesy of Winthrop Tree Service. Please remove all tinsel, ornaments, etc. You may bring your tree to the Community Garden on West Michigan or put it at the curb for pickup in January. Eric Lutz 843-708-9982
….. There is a vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Board. Send applications, including resume and letter of interest, to Colleen Jolley by January 27th. Here’s the background: PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD § 33.105
PURPOSE: To provide children of all ages with safe, clean, well-maintained places to play and exercise that meet the legal standards, to provide citizens of all walks of life with clean, well-maintained areas in which to exercise, relax, have community related activities, and to provide opportunities for walking by the water, passive water-based recreation opportunities, and to provide additional restrooms, picnic areas by the water.
QUALIFICATIONS: Members shall be residents or property owners of the city.
Colleen Jolley (843) 513-1836 [email protected]
….. Business licenses expired December 31st. Please renew your license at City Hall. Eric Lutz (843) 513-1838
Letter to the Editor BEGIN WITH BOOKS announces the opening of enrollment in Folly Beach. BEGIN WITH BOOKS is the local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and delivers more than 3,600
books every month to children in 12 Charleston County communities.
BWB is an early literacy program for babies and toddlers that encourages parents to read daily to their youngest children, by giving them high-quality tools that make it easy and fun to introduce babies and toddlers to the joy of reading.
To be eligible, children must be 4 years/10 months old or younger and must live in Folly Beach or one of 12 other eligible zip codes in Charleston County. Enrollment forms are now available at the Folly Beach branch of the Public Library and at City Hall. Parents may also enroll children online at www.beginwithbooks.org/enroll_your_child. About 6-8 weeks after a child is enrolled, the first book will arrive by mail, and a new, age-appropriate book will arrive every month until the child turns five. There is no cost to participating families. Costs are underwritten by the Dollywood Foundation and by donations from local supporters.
The Folly Beach campaign is led by Andie Weathers of Carolina One Realty. The Miss Sea and Sand Festival Pageant, Loggerhead’s Beach Grill, the Folly Association of Business, and many individuals contributed to the campaign and helped reach the start-up goal.
Andrea Weathers [email protected]
Lights on the Folly River Bridge
SCE&G is completing the installation of street lights on the Folly River Bridge. The lights are a Shepherd’s Crook design, the same one as the lights on Center Street. There will be seven on each side.
The installation is financed by a portion of the franchise tax , called the non-standard service fund, which customers pay as part of their bill. Any extra installation costs, and continued maintenance, is paid as a “lease” item in customers’ bills.
There is a lot of foot traffic day and night over the Folly River Bridge, especially from residents of the condos on the river and on Little Oak Island. The lights will also help bicyclists.
photo by Eric Lutz
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From the Desk of the Mayor Welcome to 2017, another year promising to be full of new and exciting work accompanied by the ongoing efforts of your City Administration and City Council. This work will include, but not exclusively, the completion of Center Street Project, the ongoing work on our parks and playgrounds, another balanced budget, and efforts to make Folly Beach the greatest place to live and raise a family!
As we have all seen, the curbs on Center Street are complete, the lights are being placed on the Folly River bridge and the Center Street facelift is well underway. What will come is the re-paving of Center Street with the new traffic patterns and turn lane. What you haven’t seen yet, but soon will, is the new planters and plantings that will help to beautify our main entrance into town. This will come with the $10,000 PARD grant that City Administrator Spencer Wetmore, and staff obtained. This money will be a big boost in the beautification effort. Thanks to all involved.
I would like to take a minute to announce, if you haven’t heard, the Citizens of the year for 2016 are Julie Hensley and Alan Kinter. This dynamic duo has spent much time, effort, and professional time in the effort of making our little island the great place it is today. Everything from serving on the Parks and Recreation Committee to serving on the Design Review Board respectively, to undertaking special projects. Julie has been an integral part of developing the Folly River Park, Center Street, and all other parks and playgrounds at Folly. Alan has lent his architectural expertise to building handicap beach accesses and changing stations, that helped obtain $75,000 in Coastal Access Grants and many, many, more projects over the years. Please join me in thanking this very reserved and civic-minded couple for their service over the years and congratulating them on their selection. Thank you, Julie and Alan, and congratulations!
2017 will be a busy time. If you have questions or concerns, I’m at [email protected] or 843 729 0298.
MayorTim
The Chief’s Corner Year round in times of economic distress, many people are concerned about the threats of rising property crimes in their community. Fortunately, there are ways to help protect your home and your neighborhood from crime – simple steps such as locking doors and vehicle. A large percentage of property thefts from vehicles on Folly occur when doors have been left unlocked and valuables are in plain view.
Statistics have shown something as simple as keeping your neighborhood clean and orderly reduces crime. Keep spare
keys with a trusted neighbor or nearby storekeeper, not under a plant, doormat, on a ledge or in a flower pot. Set timers on lights when you are away from home or your business is closed, so they appear to occupied. Illuminate places where intruders might hide: the spaces between bushes and shrubs, stairwells, alleys, or other entry ways.
Police departments cannot be everywhere. It is important for the community to be a good neighbor, to watch out for each other. If you see something out of place, like a vehicle that just doesn’t look right, report this immediately to the police department. Public Safety often hears of crimes or potential crimes too long after the fact.
Being good neighbors and early detection of intruders by alarm systems are a patrol officer’s best friend; keep your eyes open for crimes suspected, and always report crimes witnessed right-away. Get involved. Together, we can make a difference. Steve Mims 843-588-7003 [email protected]
Letter from the Editor In the last three months, the Sandspur has carried stories about the option of “going digital.” Several Civic Club board members think that only a few residents want a paper copy, and it would be cheaper and more efficient to print a few copies and mail them. The remaining readers would look up the digital copy every month.
Now these Board members are saying that only 60 residents want paper copies. The rest, they say, want digital copies – even though only five readers said they wanted digital copies. That’s a ten to one ratio
It turns out those Board members thought they were requesting PO box numbers from the handful of readers they think want a paper copy. None of the notices explained that clearly. In fact, I thought they were doing a public opinion survey. In my view, the only way to get a universal response is to say “in x days, you will no longer get a Sandspur in your box unless you say you want one.”
They can’t say that because the Board and the membership have not voted on the digital plan. There are many complex financial implications, and many questions about who would do the work of putting on labels, etc.
One thing, however, is clear. If you want to continue getting a paper copy, you must end the confusion and e-mail Toni Catoe ([email protected]). I’m not trying to get you to vote one way or another – you know what’s best for you. I am trying to get a fair, honest process to make a very important decision.
The Sandspur belongs to you. It’s in your hands. Susan Breslin 843-588-3026 [email protected]
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New Restaurant Among Several Developments Coming Soon
A strikingly modern restaurant design has gotten preliminary approval from the Design Review Board.
Final approval will likely be given at the next DRB meeting.
The project will be located at 106 East Ashley, on the lot next to Snapper Jack’s. Chico Feo is also in that block, and Bert’s, with its Wooden Spoon, is a block
away. The through-block lot currently has two houses and a shed, which will be demolished.
The restaurant doesn’t have a name yet, but it has a developing the restaurant, Kara Lee, was also involved in developing Taco Boy and other successful restaurants.
Renderings of the restaurant are striking. Here are two from the submission to the DRB:
Glass walls create a spectacular bath of light and color at night.
The view to the east from Snapper Jack's.
The restaurant (not yet named) is only one of several big projects before the DRB:
Harris Teeter is planning a strip of four new retail spaces, each 1,200 square feet, which will be near the gas station and run parallel to Sol Legare.
A six-room inn is planned for the vacant lot on
Center Street next to the boat landing.
A restaurant is planned for 106 East Hudson.
Aaron Pope, the city’s Zoning Administrator, notes
that the DRB in the past often hasn’t had to meet every month – there just wasn’t enough business.
Now the Board is scrambling to review all the projects coming through the door. He thinks it’s a shame that
the DRB and the Planning Commission rarely have an audience. They are both considering matters large and small, which will change the face of Folly Beach.
Civic Club Calendars
The Civic Club’s fabulous 2017 calendar is still available at a bargain price of $10. The coupons in it alone are worth more than that. You can find it at Bert’s or at City Hall. This year, the Civic Club also has cards with envelopes, and postcards, both featuring some of the stunning photographs in the calendar. Find out more about them by e-mailing Toni Catoe at [email protected].
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Folly Fun Stuff!
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The Baptist Church has a full schedule of programs for young and old. "Youth on the Edge" Bible study and dinners for youth on
Tuesday nights at 6:30 pm. Men's Bible Study is on Monday nights at 7:15 pm. Soup Kitchen is on Mondays at noon. And a new
Women's Bible Study beginning Monday night on January 9th: "One in a Million" by Priscilla Shirer. After January 9th, it
will be offered for six weeks on Tuesdays at 9:30 am and 6:30 pm.
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At its regular meeting at 7 pm on Tuesday, January 17th, the Civic Club has speakers describing the Planning Commission, the Board
of Zoning Appeals, and the Design Review Board.
FOLLY BEACH LIBRARY I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! We will be closed Monday, January 2nd in observance of the New Year and Monday, January 16th for MLK Day. We have Story time and a craft on Mondays at 10:30 am and our new After-School Club meets at 3:30 pm. Come get homework help, eat snacks and play fun games with your Folly Friends! Wednesdays at 6 pm we have Knitting on the Edge. The Book Club will meet Wednesday, January 11th at 2:30 pm discuss Elsewhere by Richard Russo. We will be open Saturday, January 14th from 10 am – 2 pm, and show Alice Through the Looking Glass and a fun craft at 11 pm.
We got such a great response for our call for LEGO donations. Now we are asking for board games. We’d love to add to our collection so if you’d like to clear out your closets we’ll take them! For more information on any of these programs feel free to give us a call or like us on Facebook.
Mary Bushkar 843-588-2001
County Parks and Recreation
Folly Beach Bird Walks: Seawatch Help experienced birders scan the ocean for a variety of ducks, seabirds, and shorebirds to learn how to spot 'bunches' of Red Knots, 'rafts' of scoters, and much more. A registered and paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under. Jan. 10 Tue 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Course # 48614 Meets at: Folly Beach Fishing Pier Age: 12 & up Fee: $6/$5 CCR Discount/$4 Move IT Pass Holder
Folly Beach Bird Walks: Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve This walk focuses on the incredibly diverse northeast end of Folly Island. Hopefuls include Red-throated Loon and Piping Plover. A registered and paid chaperone is required for participants ages 15 and under. Jan. 13 Fri 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Course # 48611 Meets at: Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve Age: 12 & up Fee: $9/$7 CCR Discount/$5 Move IT Pass Holder
Publisher: Folly Beach Civic Club PO BOX 884 – FOLLY BEACH, SC 29439 www.facebook.com/Folly Beach Civic Club
Printer: Print Shop of West Ashley
City web page: www.cityoffollybeach.com
City Radio Station: 1610 AM
LIBRARY HOURS OF OPERATION MONDAY 10-6 WEDNESDAY 12-8
FRIDAY 10-6 2nd SATURDAY 10-2
CLOSED January 2nd
CALENDAR FOR JANUARY
Council Chambers 5th Planning Commission 7pm 13th Council meeting 7pm 19th Design Review Board 6pm
Clubs, Organizations & Committees 3rd Art Guild 6:30pm 4th Save the Light 7pm 5th Senior Citizens 11am
5th Exchange Club Board 7pm
5th Green Team 6pm 12th Folly Association of Business 6pm 17th Civic Club 7pm 19th Exchange Club 7pm 24th Garden Club noon
Library 5th, 12th, 19th Story Time, craft 10:30am 5th, 12th, 19th After-School Club 3:30pm 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Knitting on the Edge 6pm 14h Book Club 2:30pm Elsewhere 10th Open Saturday 10am-2pm Alice Through the Looking Glass 11am 2nd Closed for Christmas
Recycing 3rd, 17th, 30th
Volunteer Fire Fighters 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th 6pm
Special Events 1st New Year’s Day 1st Polar Plunge 2nd New Year’s Day observed 7th Orthodox Christmas 10th Seawatch at the Pier (birdwatch) 13th Folly Beach Bird Walk 16th Martin Luther King Jr. Day 21st Taste of Folly