Biweekly E-News

Flood Mitigation Adaptation Partnership
The Town is excited to announce a formal partnership with the College of Charleston through June 2019 to support the research of Lucas Hernandez. Lucas is a Master of Environmental Studies/Master of Public Administration Candidate at the College of Charleston conducting research on flooding around Kiawah Island.

He has worked closely with the Charleston Resilience Network and several other municipalities in the Lowcountry researching flooding and assisting in disaster communication and preparation. During his time at the college, he has worked in the Lowcountry Hazards Center creating flood maps and assessing impacts of sea level rise on the greater Charleston area. Using a variety of available data, this team can simulate and predict which roadways and homes will be impacted by flooding in the future, using models within a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. GIS tools can easily overlay many layers of information (high-resolution elevations, land use, and flood extent) to create maps and images of the impacts of future flooding events.

Lucas' primary focus during the first half of 2019 will be to take highly accurate elevation data and project "simulated" storm surges across Kiawah Island read more

Kiawah Featured in New BBC Wildlife Documentary

Last May, a crew from the British Broadcasting Corporation visited Kiawah to film the island's alligators as a part of a new wildlife documentary Cities: Nature's New Wild. The show highlights remarkable ways animals are adapting to urban growth. Kiawah is featured in the third episode Outcasts that is scheduled to air in the U.K. on January 13 and in the U.S. later this year on PBS. It will also be available to watch online here after the UK broadcast. Thank you to the Kiawah Island Golf Resort for their collaboration with the Town on this exciting project.

Charitable Grant Application Deadline Approaching
Given the available resources, the Town of Kiawah supports a variety of charitable and educational organizations that are recognized as 501(c)(3), non-profit and/or tax-exempt entities providing services to the residents of Johns Island and Wadmalaw Island communities.

Applications and a copy of the Town's detailed policy are now available by clicking here. The application deadline is Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.

Business License Renewals

The Town began business license/contractor license renewals on January 1 . Applications renewed after February 28 will be charged a late fee at 5% per month.

Attention Property Owners:

All rental properties are required to have an annual business license based on the gross receipts for the property. If you rent your property on your own, you are required to obtain or renew your business license every year. Click here to renew or obtain a business license. If you use a rental agency, the agency will handle all the renewal paperwork and billing.

If you are having renovations done on your home, please make sure the contractors licenses/permits are current before any work is performed. This includes KICA encroachment permits and ARB permits. Questions? Call 843-768-9166.

The term "King Tide" is used to describe the highest seasonal tides that naturally occur each year.

In some cases, they may barely even be noticed. In other cases, a King Tide may cause flooding of low-lying areas and disruption to normal daily routines. This is particularly true when a King Tide event coincides with significant precipitation because water drainage and runoff is impeded.

Please be aware that the next King Tide that could effect the island will occur January 21-22.

2019 Q1 Town Notes Newsletter Published

Read it online here

In this Issue:

Municipal Election & Swearing In
Town Council Quarter In Review
Committee Openings
Changes to Law Enforcement Approach
Town of Kiawah's Road to Incorporation - Celebrating 30 years
Charitable Contribution Spotlight- Sweetgrass Garden Cooperative
College of Charleston Flood Mitigation Partnership
Grow Native Online Plant Database
Fall Migration Summary

Cultural Events Applications Available Now

Each year the Town's Cultural Events Fund is used to present a series of cultural events for residents and tourists to enjoy without leaving the island. The Town's Kiawah Arts & Cultural Events Council reviews and selects the applicants through a formal application process.

Applications for the Town's Cultural Events Fund are now available online here. Applications are due Friday, February 1, 2019, at 12:00 p.m.