Important Dates
Audit Committee - February 6 | 11:00 a.m.
Town Council - February 7 | 2:00 p.m.
Planning Commission - February 8 | 3:00 p.m.
Board of Zoning Appeals - February 13 | 3:00 p.m.
NEW Podcast Episode Now Available
The latest episode of Sharing With The Community: A Podcast from the Town of Kiawah Island, is now available. In this episode, we spoke with Mayor Pro-Tem and Town Council Member John Moffitt about the unique challenges and opportunities for the Town, including traffic issues, along with the importance of community involvement and healthy debate. 
 
Click here to access this episode and all TOKI podcast episodes.
Kiawah Island Parkway Work Notice
The Town has scheduled its landscape contractor to do the following work next week:

On Monday, February 6/Tuesday, February 7: Work will be done on the shoulder of Kiawah Island Parkway in the outbound lane between Mingo Point and Little Rabbit. The work will last approximately 2-3 hours. 

Wednesday, February 8 - Friday, February 10: Mulch application along Kiawah Island Parkway. This project will be completed during normal business hours. Any questions regarding this landscaping project can be directed to the Town’s Public Works Manager, Brian Gottshalk at (843)-768-9166 or by email at bgottshalk@kiawahisland.org.
2023 Town Council Strategic Planning Retreat Synopsis
The 2023 Town Council Strategic Planning Retreat was held on February 2-3. During the retreat, Town Council and senior staff evaluated 2022 plans, developed objectives for 2023, reviewed current projects and discussed long-term strategic planning. In addition, community members had the opportunity to participate and engage directly with Town Council. Those who were unable to attend this year's retreat can view the meeting here.
Board of Zoning Appeals Update
February Meeting:
 
This is a notification to area property owners and interested parties that a BZA meeting will be held Monday, February 13, 2023, at 3:00 p.m., in Council Chambers, Kiawah Municipal Center, 4475 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Kiawah Island, SC 29455. This hearing is open to the public. 
 
The Town of Kiawah Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) will hear comments on the following case(s) at the upcoming meeting:
 
Case #BZA22-000013: 222 Sea Marsh Drive | TMS# 207-03-00-054
Variance request to reduce the required 30’ rear setback for approximately 786 square feet encroachment for a proposed single-family residence.
 
At least one week prior to BZA meetings, information on each application, including documents submitted by the applicant, will be available online here
 
Inquiries should be directed to the Planning Department at jtaylor@kiawahisland.org  or by phone 843-768-9979. 
 
Public Comments 
Persons interested in submitting public comments about any case should email their comments referencing the case number and TMS number or address to Ms. Petra Reynolds, Town Clerk, at preynolds@kiawahisland.org. The BZA public hearing will be live-streamed (for viewing only) on the Town’s YouTube Channel.

January Meeting Recap:

The following decisions were made by the Town of Kiawah Island Board of Zoning Appeals on Monday January 30, 2023:

Case #BZA22-000011: Variance request to modify an existing dock (Mingo Point) to extend beyond the maximum extension of a dock structure into a river, stream, or channel located at 876 Kiawah Island Parkway, Kiawah Island, SC (TMS# 207-00-00-009) DISAPPROVED
 
Case #BZA22-000008: Variance request for the reduction of the required 30’ rear setback for approximately 54 square feet encroachment for a proposed screen porch enclosure located at 166 Marsh Hawk Lane, Kiawah Island, SC (TMS# 207-03-00-023) APPROVED WITH A CONDITION
 
Case #BZA22-000009: Variance request for the encroachment of the required 25’ rear setback for approximately 56 square feet encroachment for an existing gazebo located at 366 Helena Court Kiawah Island, SC (TMS# 265-16-00-183) APPROVED 
 
Case #BZA22-000010: Variance request for the reduction of the required 30’ rear and 30’ side setback for approximately 167 square feet encroachment for a proposed new single-family residence located at 518 Ruddy Turnstone Drive, Kiawah Island, SC (TMS# 207-04-00-070) APPROVED WITH A CONDITION
Charleston County Housing Our Future Plan
A community meeting will be held on Monday February 13, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Kiawah Island Municipal Center. Charleston County County’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization will be present to review Charleston County’s Housing Our Future Plan. Members of the community are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn about the plan and provide public comments to the County. 
 
The Housing Our Future Plan is Charleston County’s first comprehensive plan for housing attainability. The plan includes months of research, analysis, and community conversations focused on capacity building, housing creation and preservation, housing stability, and homeownership. It also provides a clear understanding of the needs and challenges facing Charleston County. The plan provides a set of policies, programs, and capacity-building measures designed to help meet housing needs for years to come. 
 
Charleston County’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization is now accepting public comments on the County’s draft comprehensive housing plan. The plan can be found here
 
The Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Department will also host several community meetings where the public can view the plan and provide comments in-person. The deadline to submit comments online is March 1, 2023.
 
For more information about the plan and Charleston County’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization please visit Housing Our Future.
 
 
Charleston County Housing Our Future Plan 
February 13, 2023 | 11:30 AM -1:30 PM
Council Chambers
Kiawah Island Municipal Center
4475 Betsy Kerrison Parkway
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
TOKI Emergency Services Drop-In, February 17
From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on February 17, the Town is hosting an Emergency Services Drop-In event at the Municipal Center. During the event, representatives from Charleston County’s Emergency Medical Service Department (EMS), St. John’s Fire District, Barrier Island Ocean Rescue and AirMedCare Network will be on site to meet with attendees and answer questions about their services on the island.
Kestrel Court Solid Waste Center Update
The Kestrel Court solid waste center is now fully open and accepting perishable refuse, household rubbish and similar waste from residents. Temporary compactor units were installed at Kestrel Court in November, but were replaced with upgraded units on January 30. Any questions regarding this site can be directed to the Town’s Public Works Manager, Brian Gottshalk, by phone (843)-768-9166 or by email at bgottshalk@kiawahisland.org
Business License Renewal Notice
The business license renewal period has begun. To avoid penalties, all business licenses must be renewed by Sunday, April 30, 2023. Licenses must be renewed using the Town's online service portal.
Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic Seeking Executive Director
Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic [BIFMC] is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization based outside of Charleston, SC, whose mission is to understand and serve the health and wellness needs of uninsured, low income adults who live or work across the Barrier Islands and their connecting communities. As a National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Gold Star Clinic rated 4 out of 4 stars by Charity Navigator for best practices and ethics, BIFMC has provided over 56,000 free patient visits since 2008, serving over 5,000 uninsured adults without previous access to health care. Offering routine on-going primary care and over 19 subspecialties such as psychiatry, reproductive health, ophthalmology, dermatology, and more, BIFMC relies on the volunteer efforts of over 140 volunteer physicians, nurses, and administrative assistance with a paid staff of 9 employees. 

BIFMC is seeking an experienced Executive Director to work in tandem with the Clinic Medical Director and report to the Board Chairperson in order to oversee and execute all aspects of Clinic functions, including operations, staffing, finances, fundraising, direction and administration of Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic. The Executive Director, appointed by the Board of Directors and subject to the direction of the Board, is a key leadership position responsible for and directing all strategic and operational aspects of this comprehensive free clinic, with a strong emphasis on growing both the patient population and supporting financial operations of the organization. 
 
Click here to access full job description and application.
Kiawah Island Club to Host 8th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship - Call for Volunteers
As one of the premier organizations in the world of golf today, the USGA administers fourteen separate national championships, ten of which are expressly for amateurs. The Amateur Four-Ball has quickly become one of the USGA’s most popular events, with close to 2,500 entries every year. This year’s championship will take place right here on Kiawah Island. The practice rounds and stroke play will take place on River Course and Cassique from Wednesday, May 17 through Sunday, May 21. Cassique will host the match play Monday, May 22 through Wednesday, May 24. There are many exciting volunteer opportunities available for those who wish to get involved, while providing services which will add value to the player's experience. Click here to explore available volunteer roles and register. Any questions related to the Championship can be directed to usgafourball@kiawah.com
Message from KIGR
Thank you for voting in the 2022 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards.

Once again, thanks to your help, The Sanctuary finished as the #1 Resort Hotel in South Carolina and Kiawah Island finished as the #2 Best Island in the Continental United States
 
Voting is now opened through 11:59 p.m. on February 27 for the 2023 World’s Best Awards. Once again, both The Sanctuary and Kiawah Island are nominated in their respective categories.

Please take a moment to register here to vote for both The Sanctuary and Kiawah Island to help both rank highly once again in this extremely important campaign. Also encourage your family and friends to vote (not subscription required). While you are there, and as time allows, also be sure to support our vital Convention and Visitors Bureau partnership by voting Charleston for Best City.

These rankings are critically important not only for bragging rights, but ranking highly in one of the world’s most respected travel authorities helps drive the traveling public’s decisions when choosing among destinations and serves as an important tool for our Sales team when bidding for future group business by distinguishing us from our competitors. 

Thank you for supporting the Resort and Island!

-Bryan Hunter
Director of Public Relations, KIGR
41st Annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
Experience the nation’s premier celebration of wildlife, art, and the great outdoors at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition on February 17 - 19, 2023. Hunt for your next piece of fine art, collect handcrafted goods, witness live demonstrations and get a taste of the Lowcountry.

To purchase tickets, please visit the Visitor Center at Town Hall. Children (ages 10 and under) are free.
Tom Rush with Special Guest Matt Nakoa
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
West Beach Conf. | 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 (tickets required)

Now celebrating five decades of touring, Tom has been thrilling audiences here and abroad with hits like No Regrets, Circle Game, Remember Song, Urge for Going and Merrimack County. Tom Rush’s impact on the American music scene has been profound. He helped shape the folk revival in the ’60s, the folk-rock movement of the ‘70s, and then the renaissance of the ’80s and ’90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. more
California Guitar Trio
Friday, February 24, 2023
Turtle Point Clubhouse | 7:30 p.m.
KIAWAH RESIDENTS - 2/10
PUBLIC - 2/13 AT 9 AM
Cost: $15 (tickets required)

Celebrating their 30th Anniversary, California Guitar Trio is labeled as “Winning, energetic and highly accessible…” by the Los Angeles Times. The California Guitar Trio is Paul Richards from Los Angeles, Bert Lams from Belgium, and Tom Griesgraber from San Diego. Together, their technical wizardry is breathtaking, as is the wide range of instrumental music the group renders…from unique originals to dazzling, cleverly arranged interpretations of music from Queen and the Beatles, to Bach and Beethoven, and surf music from the Ventures. Visit their website here.

Click here to access TOKI's Events page and view the season planner.
If you are a Kiawah Island resident who has not received your 2022-2023 early access code, please email your Kiawah mailing address to rfoster@kiawahisland.org to register.
Previously Mentioned
(843) 768-9166