Mortgage Broker in Isle of Palms, SC

ISLE OF PALMS — Islanders here may have to learn to live with the resident coyotes as shooting the species is illegal on the island, and trapping is the only other option.

Officials don’t know exactly how many coyotes live on Isle of Palms, but most of them linger near the Wild Dunes area.

Twelve sightings were documented so far this year. And 59 were counted in 2022, according to Ryan Warren, an animal control officer on the island.

But the invasive predators have a presence in each of the state’s counties. The species is extremely adaptable and detrimental to deer, turkey and other native animals.

Between 20,000-25,000 coyotes are taken annually in the state.

Summertime is when Isle of Palms animal control officers get the most calls about coyote sightings. Visitors often report the coyotes because they don’t realize the animals are residents on the island, Warren said Feb. 22 at a meeting on how to deal with the animals.

“We’re definitely pushing for people to call more,” Warren said. “So maybe that might be why we have more sightings or maybe there’s more out there.”

The city tries to alert residents and visitors of the animals through its website and occasionally on Facebook. And Warren said they will consider adding signs in the area, too.

Coyote dens might be spotted in a number of locations.

In flat areas like Isle of Palms, it is common to see a den dug up under roots of a fallen tree, in brush areas and on the sides of banks, according to Jay Butfiloski, the furbearer coordinator for the state Department of Natural Resources.

The animals are also known to wander in the dunes on the beach here.

In 2021, a 2-year-old Boykin Spaniel was attacked by four coyotes in the sand dunes on Isle of Palms.

Also in 2021, a Mount Pleasant man said coyotes were to blame for the death of two of his cats in the fenced Sandpiper Point II neighborhood.

Missing or deceased pets are good indicators that coyotes could be nearby.

Officials believe the coyotes on Isle of Palms could be coming from Mount Pleasant and other areas.

The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway between Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms is not a barrier for the animals, as they can easily cross it, Butfiloski said.

He recommends people do a number of things to protect themselves and their pets from coyotes.

First, people should keep pets on short leashes and don’t leave them unattended outside where coyotes are known to roam the area.

Habitat management can be considered as a control method, too, Butfiloski said.

Clearing out brush in areas that are highly traveled, like in parks and even yards, could prove beneficial. It will reduce the habitat for the small mammals that coyotes prey on and also prevent them from hiding.

The biggest issues with coyotes in developed areas is typically food and trash-related, though. People are encouraged not to leave food outdoors for feral cats, pets or other wild animals.

“That allows a free meal, it allows them (coyotes) to kind of get habituated to people, and that’s where things get to be a problem,” he said.

While more calls come in about coyote sightings on the Isle of Palms during tourist season, statewide coyote sightings are typically higher in the wintertime, partly due to vegetation, lost foliage and increased breeding activities and movements.

There tends to be a decrease in sightings in the summer when the animals are pup rearing.

“When the pups are young, they’re like kids. They don’t care if they’re very visible whenever a den is nearby,” Butfiloski said. “But it might not be an indicator (that) you’ve got a whole bunch more.”

No hunting license or permit is required in South Carolina for people to shoot coyotes on their property within 100 yards of the home. But local municipalities may have other regulations.

Night hunting is permitted on registered properties or with a depredation permit. Trapped coyotes may not be relocated.

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) – The council chamber at city hall was filled with residents during tonight’s workshop as city officials and residents hoped to find some clarity on how they should handle this matter going forward.

Isle of Palms city leaders are listening to island residents regarding their stance on short-term rentals.

“Tonight is the third in a series of meetings we’ve been having on short-term rental workshops,” Isle of Palms Mayor Phillip Pounds said. “This is the first one in February; a series of just trying to define what success is going to look like at the end of the day. Make sure we good data, make sure we have good metrics.”

Leaders say they have hosted a number of workshops and listening sessions focused on short-term rentals in the last six months because they are vital to the city.

“Short-term rentals are critical to our island from a revenue standpoint,” Pounds said.

The number of short-term rentals on the island now exceeds 1500. City Council is now considering implementing a cap to limit that number; something several neighbors are in favor of.

“I do believe that it’s time to that council act on this particular item before it is too late,” one Isle of Palms resident said.

“Focus on restricting investment short-term rentals and protect the city,” one neighbor said, “and the residents you serve.”

“Do not make a deal with the devil,” one Isle of Palms resident said. “Do not sell our city, your city, to Airbnb and other STR companies.”

Neighbors believe the steady influx of short-term rentals will lead to the island losing its close-knit community feel.

“To leave the Isle of Palms as the only beach community in the region without a plan for limiting new short-term rental licenses,” one neighbor said, “will result in our neighborhoods being overrun by investment groups looking for rental property.”

As the island’s peak short-term rental season quickly approaches, Pounds says he hopes to have this matter resolved soon.

“All of our short-term rental licenses come due at the end of April this year,” he said. “So, I’d certainly love to have something decided by then, if not before, for sure.”

Folly Beach will vote on short-term rentals Tuesday, February 7.

The much-anticipated third season of the Netflix hit series “Outer Banks,” filmed in Charleston, is out now.

To mark the occasion, Condé Nast Traveler released a video featuring one of the stars of the show, Charleston native Madelyn Cline, who plays “Pogue for Life” Sarah Cameron.

In the video, Cline sips sweet tea while revealing some of her favorite places and dining experiences in the Lowcountry. (She admits she was late to work once, stuck in the drive-thru line to get sweet tea; you always squeeze the lemon in, she added.)

“I’m going to personally show you around Charleston,” the actress begins. “What makes Charleston a special place for me, for starters, I am from there, so it is home.”

Cline grew up in Goose Creek, and her family still lives in town.

Among Cline’s favorite spots are:

“Just talking about Charleston gets me really excited, and I hope you guys want to go check it out for yourself,” Cline says while wrapping up the video.

There are 10 episodes in Season 3 of “Outer Banks,” available for streaming on Netflix now.

The first day of spring will be here before we know it, and despite what our dear groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted, I’m hoping for warmer weather sooner than later.

This month, The Windjammer’s beach stage will be in full force with a variety of gigs, while other outdoor venues like Firefly Distillery and Credit One Stadium gear up for the spring and summer seasons.

While most shows remain indoors for the time being, we have a lot to look forward to. These March concerts are certainly on my radar, from Gladys Knight to Boyz II Men and everything in between.

Gladys Knight

WHAT: The “Empress of Soul” is coming to town and bringing with her a catalog of favorite hits, from “That’s What Friends Are For” to “Midnight Train to Georgia.”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. March 2

WHERE: North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive

PRICE: $72+

MORE INFO: northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com/events/detail/gladys-knight

Hip Hops: The Remix

WHAT: The Charleston Wine + Food Festival is presenting this show featuring Southern hip-hop group Nappy Roots and DJ BLord. There will be curated food and craft beers to go with the tunes.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. March 3

WHERE: The Music Farm, 32 Ann St.

PRICE: $125 (all you can eat and drink)

MORE INFO: musicfarm.com/event/hip-hops-the-remix

Razor Braids w/ Tree Limbs and Catholics

WHAT: Brooklyn, N.Y.-based queer rock band Razor Braids will perform punk rock, while local bands Tree Limbs and Catholics open.

WHEN: 9 p.m. March 3

WHERE: Tin Roof, 1117 Magnolia Road

PRICE: $10

MORE INFO: citypapertickets.com/events/134096760/razor-braids-w-tba

Charleston The Band

WHAT: Local players Gavin Hamilton, Andy Greenberg, Noah Jones, Sean Bing and Tim Khayat will get together to play a gig that promises funk, soul, rock and jam.

WHEN: 10 p.m. March 8

WHERE: Charleston Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway

PRICE: $10 advance, $15 day of show

MORE INFO: charlestonpourhouse.com/event/charleston-the-band

The Head and the Heart

WHAT: This indie folk-rock band behind hits “Rivers and Roads” and “Honeybee” will play the first of three shows at The Riviera Theater marking the venue’s one-year anniversary since reopening to the public. The followups will be Patrick Davis on March 24 and Andy Grammer on April 7. During all three shows, concessions will be 1939-era prices, an ode to the historic venue’s founding date (65 cent local and domestic beers and $1.10 glasses of wine).

WHEN: 8 p.m. March 11

WHERE: The Riviera Theater, 227 King St.

PRICE: $92.50+

MORE INFO: therivierachs.com/shows/the-head-and-the-heart

They Might Be Giants

WHAT: This “evening with” performance will feature They Might Be Giants’ breakthrough album “Flood” in its entirety, along with early favorites, career anecdotes and more from the art rock-meets-children’s music-meets-geek rock band from the ’80s.

WHEN: 8 p.m. March 12

WHERE: Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.

PRICE: $35-$55

MORE INFO: charlestonmusichall.com/event/an-evening-with-they-might-be-giants

Voice of Harold: A Tribute to R.E.M.

WHAT: Mark Bryan of Hootie & The Blowfish will perform this tribute show to R.E.M., which also doubles as a St. Patrick’s Day party.

WHEN: 7 p.m. March 17

WHERE: Lo-Fi Brewing, 2038 Meeting Street Road

PRICE: $15-$25

MORE INFO: eventbrite.com/e/voice-of-harold-a-tribute-to-rem-feat-mark-bryan-of-hootie-the-blowfish-tickets-533986757767?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Extra Chill Presents: Babe Club

WHAT: Local music blog Extra Chill will present a performance at The Royal American featuring three South Carolina acts. Electrifying and funktastic Leone & The Ascension and psychedelic escapist Leopard & The Diamond Sky will open for lush and luring pop outfit Babe Club.

WHEN: 9 p.m. March 18

WHERE: The Royal American, 970 Morrison Drive

PRICE: $10 cash at door

MORE INFO: theroyalamerican.com/schedule

Orange Doors w/ Monsoon and Cloutchaser

WHAT: Former marching band students will play eclectic hooks, featuring horns and all, with Charleston’s Orange Doors, while two-piece Athens, Ga., indie rock band Monsoon and two-piece Boone, N.C., instrumental math rock band Cloutchaser open the show.

WHEN: 8 p.m. March 19

WHERE: Music Farm, 32 Ann St.

PRICE: $15 advance, $19 day of show

MORE INFO: musicfarm.com/event/orange-doors

Cody Webb w/ Drew Dangerfield

WHAT: The Windjammer is already ramping up its outdoor shows as spring sneaks up on us (The Midnight City on March 3-4, Departure: Journey Tribute on March 17 and Everclear on March 31), but this one will take place indoors. This country concert will feature some local love: Cody Webb, the singer behind “She’s Carolina,” along with another South Carolina native who still resides in Charleston and performed at Darius Rucker’s Riverfront Revival Festival, Drew Dangerfield.

WHEN: 9 p.m. March 24

WHERE: The Windjammer, 1008 Ocean Blvd., Isle of Palms

PRICE: $10

MORE INFO: the-windjammer.com/event/cody-webb-with-drew-dangerfield-on-the-beach-stage

R.E.S.P.E.C.T Tribute Concert

WHAT: Tribute concert to and celebration of Aretha Franklin, featuring a live band and vocalists.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. March 26

WHERE: Charleston Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St.

PRICE: $32+

MORE INFO: gaillardcenter.org/events/r-e-s-p-e-c-t

Boyz II Men

WHAT: This three-decades-and-running R&B group will play hits from “On Bended Knee” to “I’ll Make Love to You.” Bring your sweetheart, and feel the magic from these crooners.

WHEN: 8 p.m. March 30

WHERE: North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive

PRICE: $69.75+

MORE INFO: northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com/events/detail/boyz-ii-men

3rd annual Drifter Fest

WHAT: This annual festival celebrates the late life of Bert Griggs, a live music fan and merch slinger behind Drifter Merch. Tishamingo and George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners will play along with Gavin Hamilton & Friends with Wallace Mullinax, Broken Speakers and Just Groove. A portion of proceeds go to Carolina Studios.

WHEN: 5 p.m. March 31-April 1

WHERE: The Refinery, 1640 Meeting Street Road

PRICE: $20 one-day, $35 weekend pass, $50 VIP one-day, $90 VIP weekend pass

MORE INFO: ticketweb.com/event/drifter-fest-the-refinery-tickets/12897335

Swaths of uninterrupted white-sand beach, the smell of salty spray, warm sun on your skin, and the rustle of palm fronds gently blowing in the wind—these are the sights, sounds, and scents of Isle of Palms. The South Carolina barrier island packs a lot of relaxation and big fun into a vacation destination that's just seven miles long and one mile wide. The island's proximity to Charleston (just 18 miles by car), make it a preferred summer hideout for locals. An abundance of vacation rentals and the iconic Wild Dunes resort have been drawing visitors from across the country since the early 1970s.

With the deep blue Atlantic on one side and marshy creeks of the Intracoastal Waterway on the other, Isle of Palms offers the best of the Lowcountry and the beach in one stunning setting that's begging to be added to your vacation calendar.

Six of Isle of Palms' seven total miles are occupied by public beaches, which means you'll have your pick of the litter when looking for a sandy spot where you can post up for the day—or the week. Once you've staked your claim, all the normal beach activities are yours for the choosing, from splashing around in the surprisingly calm seas to building the ultimate sandcastle or playing a game of beach volleyball. For families, the Isle of Palms County Park, located in the middle of the island's coastline, is ideal. The public beach has lifeguards, outdoor showers, chair and umbrella rentals, restrooms, and even a playground for little ones retreat to once they tire of the sun and surf.

Make the most of a visit to Isle of Palms by scheduling a charter to take you offshore. Get your sea legs at the Isle of Palms Marina, where you can easily rent a boat and spend a day exploring the island's bays and waterways. Fishing charters are plentiful and offer both reef fishing and Gulf Stream fishing. For adventure enthusiasts or wildlife lovers, Barrier Island Eco Tours hosts a range of naturalist-guided tours that take visitors through winding salt marshes, tidal creeks, and the Intracoastal Waterway on the way to uninhabited Capers Island. Animals you might see along the way include loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and every shape and size of coastal birds.

Breakfast is noteworthy at Sea Biscuit Café. The tiny beachside shack has been dishing out delicious morning meals since 1968. While they offer all the classics, the daily specials are where the magic happens. Past offerings have included chocolate banana challah French toast, lemon lavender pancakes, and tomato pie.

When you need a mid-day refuel for the whole family, Coconut Joe's is the obvious choice. Located on Isle of Palms' main drag, you won't have to venture far to get fresh seafood and impeccable vibes. The open-air covered deck is the ideal spot for munching on the restaurant's namesake shrimp, while rocking sandy toes and sun-bleached hair. When happy hour hits, venture to the rooftop bar for a frozen cocktail or painkiller. Nothing will put you on island time faster.

By the time you're finally ready to come in from the sun and go out to dinner, Isle of Palms will be waiting with plenty of options. The Boathouse and Acme Lowcountry Kitchen are island staples that have stood the test of time thanks to excellent quality food and good old-fashioned Southern hospitality. For a special night out, try Coda del Pesce, a fine dining restaurant that specializes in Italian with lots of influence (and fresh catch) from the nearby seas.

All trips to Isle of Palms must include at least one visit to The Windjammer at Front Beach. The legendary local music venue is known for its incredible live shows, stellar views of the water, cold drinks, and unbeatable fried pickles.

The obvious choice for places to stay in Isle of Palms is Wild Dunes Resort, a 1,600-acre family-friendly resort that offers everything from rooms and suites at two inns, to private beach condos and home rentals. In addition to a more-than-comfortable stay, the resort also features several resort-style pools, a spa, and two championship golf courses.

If you're hoping for a cozier stay, the newly renovated Palms Oceanfront Hotel consists of 68 modern rooms with gorgeous views of the sparkling Atlantic. There are also plenty of rentals through Airbnb and VRBO for everything from multifamily waterfront homes to one-bedroom condos.

Whether you book for a long weekend or stay for an entire week, the memories and magic of Isle of Palms will stay with you for months and years to come—maybe even until you have a chance to make another trip back!

ISLE OF PALMS — As the new year approaches, the fight over public beach parking remains unsettled with a court case awaiting a decision by the state Supreme Court.

The Palm Republic group created by Isle of Palms’ former mayor and a current councilman has asked the court to hear a constitutional challenge to a 2021 state law that says free beach parking along state roads can’t be removed without the state’s permission.

It’s a law created by Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, and signed by Gov. Henry McMaster in the spring of 2021, following the island’s attempt in 2020 to remove much of the beach parking on the island and charge for the parking that would remain.

The S.C. Department of Transportation had already rejected the island’s plan to eliminate hundreds of parking spaces, and later stepped in to increase the amount of free parking near the beach on the island — “unilaterally and illegally” according to the Palm Republic lawsuit.

Those actions prompted Councilman Blair Hahn and former Mayor Jimmy Carroll to declare the island “The Palm Republic” in an airing of grievances that included a declaration of independence, signed in costume at a local bar.

At the time, Hahn was declared to be The Palm Republic’s “attorney general, also known as His Beaudacious Highness, Admiral and Grand Ruler of All Seas Less than 1 Fathom.” But he says the legal issues in play are not joke.

Carroll and Hahn have said the state law is an affront to home rule and the power of municipalities.

“We want our home rule back,” said Carroll. “We just want them to hear the case.”

State Rep. Joe Bustos, R-Mount Pleasant, agrees.

“There’s either going to be home rule, or there’s not,” he said.

The issue now is whether the Supreme Court will take what’s known as “original jurisdiction” and agree to hear the case, as Palm Republic LLC has asked.

The state, through Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office, and the DOT have both urged the court to not take the case. Both said there’s no urgency to rule on a law that’s been in effect for more than 18 months, and the case should be heard in a lower court.

“If the Supreme Court does not take the case, we’ll file the case in Charleston County,” Hahn said. “The only issue is, is the statute constitutional or not?”

He said the case would end up before the Supreme Court one way or another.

Like many barrier islands, Isle of Palms has sought to manage the flood of beach-bound traffic that arrives during the warm months. Conflict over the parking issue flared up in 2020 when the island prohibited non-residents from using the hundreds of free parking spots near the beach, citing COVID-19 concerns.

The attempt to eliminate parking and charge for what remained came the following year, prompting the creation of a nonprofit group that sued the city, the new state law, and action by SCDOT.

The Palm Republic group has been urging residents to write to local and state lawmakers, and the Supreme Court, to ask that the high court take the case.

Charleston’s most influential voices are trying to shape the future of Union Pier, a 64-acre cruise ship hub wedged between the Cooper River and the city’s Historic District.

And more than 500 people packed downtown’s Sottile Theatre to hear what they had to say March 2 during a public discussion hosted by The Post and Courier.

Mayor John Tecklenburg, one of six panelists at the event, said he views the project as an opportunity that will forever affect the city.

“It’s that important that we get it right,” he said.

The evening event came hours after city staffers provided significant pushback on the proposed plan.

The property represents a transformative but high-stakes opportunity as the last available waterfront site on the lower peninsula. If developed, it would essentially create an additional neighborhood in the Historic District.

The site, owned by the State Ports Authority, is used as a cruise ship terminal, with a large parking lot, a few warehouses and one remaining historic building facade. SPA announced its latest plan to sell Union Pier for private development three years ago.

The formal involvement of the city government, and its leverage, started to come into focus during an afternoon meeting of the Technical Review Committee, which is made up of city staff. It was their first official response to the development proposal.

The committee reviews the basics of a proposed development, such as its height limits, overall layout and land uses. It sent the plan back to the port for further review, with changes expected before it is resubmitted.

Initial requests from the city include:

City staff added comments throughout the Planned Unit Development proposal, which is about 130 pages long.

Should the project get committee approval, it then will move on to the Planning Commission and ultimately to City Council for final approval before the land can be sold. Port officials have made it clear they plan to sell the property by the end of the year.

Union Pier’s sale could bring in as much as $400 million, some real estate analysts say.

Tecklenburg made it clear during the panel discussion that the city’s goal is not to maximize profits for the port.

“What we need to do is have the best development for our city and its residents and not be so concerned about how much money the port is going to make,” he said.

Pushback came from Jacob Lindsey, the project manager for Lowe, the Los Angeles-based private real estate firm hired to design the site plan prior to the sale. Whichever developer buys the property needs to make their money back on such a big ticket purchase, he said. If they can’t, the project runs the risk of not coming to fruition at all.

“There is a very real possibility you could end up with a project that is unrealized,” said Lindsey, who is also former planning director for the city.

Environmental considerations

As much as every key player wants to shape the plans for Union Pier, they all have to consider one factor beyond their control: Mother Nature.

Finding out how prior pollution and ongoing flooding will affect Union Pier will play a crucial role in how the property is ultimately redeveloped. The entire site was originally tidal flats, marshes or open water before workers began dumping debris from trash and construction sites there in the late-1700s.

After years of industrial use, the site needs significant environmental remediation.

While some areas of the property merit further investigation, the levels of pollution discovered at the site so far won’t prevent it from eventually being developed, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said. But it could be a factor in the layout.

Meanwhile, plans for managing rainfall, storm surge and high tides are already taking shape.

A 12-foot barrier proposed along the riverfront of the property, and beneath the landscaping, would be built to tie in with the sea wall being planned around nearly the entire peninsula. Tecklenburg has been a vocal supporter of a protective seawall for the city.

The wall would ring the peninsula in an effort to keep storm surge out. The divisive project is at least a decade away from completion, with numerous federal and local hurdles to clear before work on the $1 billion endeavor could begin.

Technical Review Committee member Eric Schultz said at the afternoon meeting that the city has been impressed with the ways the proposed design uses modern techniques to absorb flood waters. The plans use greenspace, native plants and the area’s ecology to guide storm water management. Permeable pavement and ditches known as bioswales would absorb rain and runoff.

“We love it,” he said.

But he added that the design needed to do more to show how it will not increase stormwater runoff in the surrounding areas, especially as the site is proposed to be built 16 feet above sea level.

That’s a concern maintained by the Coastal Conservation League.

“We have to make sure this city on a hill doesn’t create runoff that flows right down to Ansonborough,” Faith Rivers James, executive director of the Charleston-based conservation group, said during the evening panel discussion.

Balancing funding

As the site plan makes its way through the city’s approval process, some city officials have indicated a desire to see less density, more affordable housing and more park space. But the amount of tax revenue generated for the city and profit made for the port will depend on how tall, how dense and how profitable the site becomes.

The city can tap into that property’s growth in value using a special taxing district. Doing so would hold property tax revenues generated by the development for use specifically on and right around the property. That would fund road and sidewalk improvements, drainage projects and other needs.

Lindsey and city leaders have also indicated an interest in implementing a fee on new businesses within the property to fund similar efforts.

The only other area of the city where such a fee exists is on the rapidly growing Johns Island.

There, developers pay $480 per year per new apartment unit or single-family home, and commercial business owners pay an equivalent tax based on the size of the property.

Infrastructure funding opportunities like those are one reason Charleston City Councilman Mike Seekings is interested in seeing the plan move forward after some changes are made.

“The infrastructure is a huge part of the process for me,” said Seekings, whose downtown district will include the Union Pier site in 2024. “When it comes to our desk, if the infrastructure ain’t right, I know where my vote is going.”

The taxing district and business fees will not have to be established before City Council votes on the design plan. But whatever the plan includes will determine how much money they can generate.

Reach Emma Whalen at 843-708-5837. Follow her on Twitter @_emma_whalen.