Concerns Raised Over New Structures on Bay Point Island

Concerns Raised Over New Structures on Bay Point Island

Hey folks, in our neck of the woods in Beaufort County, something curious has been spotted on Bay Point Island. It seems four green, yurt-like structures have popped up, raising eyebrows and a ton of questions. Now, this wouldn’t typically be a big deal, but if you’ve been following the saga of this idyllic island, you’ll know that this isn’t an ordinary situation.

The Backstory

Our lovely Bay Point Island, a little slice of shifting sand where the Atlantic Ocean and the Port Royal Sound meet, has been in a tug of war between developers and conservationists for the past decade. You might remember that in 2020, the proposal for an ecotourism resort was given a big fat no by the county officials. After several appeals until 2023, the developers eventually put that idea to bed. But earlier this year, new plans for a residential development were announced, leading to renewed debate. So, are these yurt-like structures related to the new development plans? And where are their construction permits?

Whitestone Resources, which is in the running to develop Bay Point, says the structures are mobile campsites used by scientists and volunteers who are working to preserve the island. No permits needed, they argue. But county officials aren’t confirming or denying this yet and are currently investigating the issue.

A Peek Into the Past

Just to jog your memory a bit, a couple of years ago, it was all about a 50-unit ecotourism resort with restaurants, wellness centers, a solar farm, and an earth lab. That project was initially denied, then approved, and then denied again in 2020 by the Zoning Board of Appeals. An appeal followed but was dropped suddenly in 2023.

New Plans

For any of those who were hoping that the disputes were over, a press release popped up this February, announcing a signed agreement for an eco-conscious resort, spa, and residential community. And yes, you guessed it right, Bay Point Island was on the list. Some storm-resilient, branded villas are also expected to be up for sale this year, offering residents their sonic screwdriver against any possible Category-5 hurricane.

But just to be clear, the surprise structures on Bay Point aren’t those villas. So, what are they really? And do they have the required permits? As of now, county officials are mum and it appears we’ll have to wait for them to wrap up their investigation to get our answers.

Meanwhile, the quarrel over the future of Bay Point continues. Conservationists are questioning the feasibility of any construction on a barrier island that’s always changing shape, and if the new projects even meet current zoning rules.

What’s clear is that this new chapter of the Bay Point saga is far from over. So, stay tuned folks, just like a gripping soap opera, the story of Bay Point Island continues.