Hilton Head Reporter

Housing for Hilton Head Island’s workforce, the mid-Island tract and the William Hilton Parkway corridor project were among top priorities that emerged during the Hilton Head Island Town Council mid-year review of its Strategic Action Plan.

The workshop to review initiatives outlined in the Strategic Action Plan was held Thursday, September 8, at the Westin Resort on Hilton Head Island. Town Manager Marc Orlando described the session as an eight-month check-up on the Town’s progress toward its initiatives.

"With implementation of our strategic action plan, we have the power to transform today's vision into tomorrow’s reality. We have a multi-year working plan that gives clear direction on what our Town wants to achieve and where we want to go," said Town Manager Marc Orlando.

The plan, which Town Council adopted in January, outlines strategic initiatives Town staff is implementing to enhance the quality of life for Island residents. Town Council members applauded Orlando and his staff for the work they have done to convert the strategic action plan goals into initiatives and carry them out.

"This was a very worthwhile process that gave us insight into all the initiatives we have on the table and an opportunity to discuss what we would like to see happen as we continue through this fiscal year. Obviously, there are some rather critical issues our Town Council must continue addressing such as housing and the William Hilton Parkway gateway corridor," said Mayor John McCann. "Town staff, under Marc’s leadership, has a grip on these issues and we are working alongside them to come up with viable solutions."

At the workshop, Orlando outlined initiatives Town staff has completed thus far, including:

• Allocation of the Town's $5.2 million appropriation from the American Rescue Plan Act to improve the lives of our residents and address infrastructure needs.
• Implementation of the SeeClickFix/MyHHI application, which allows citizens to report various maintenance issues that need to be addressed.
• Adoption of 2020 Census Redistricting.
• Adoption of the Real Estate Transfer Fee Extension & Expansion to maintain and improve Town-owned properties.
• Completion of an Employee Satisfaction Survey, which led to the adoption of a corporate social responsibility policy giving employees time to do community service with local organizations.
• Fire Rescue Center for Public Service Excellence Re-Accreditation.
• Audubon International "Sustainable Community" Recertification.
• Adoption of the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC) Model Business License Ordinance.
• Adoption of an electric bike (e-bike) & electric-Scooter usage and regulations.
• Launch of a new Town website to enhance public access and provide greater transparency and staff accountability.

Significant process has been made on various other initiatives. Some of them include:

• Implementing a Workforce & Affordable Housing Strategy. This includes the Town’s initiative for a public-private partnership to develop workforce housing on the Town-owned Northpoint tract near the north end post office.
• Adopting a Mid-Island Redevelopment Strategy & Park Master Plan, anchored by a public park and open space, to attract investment and build community.
• Developing the William Hilton Parkway Gateway Corridor Plan including obtaining an end-to-end analysis and simulation of the corridor project.
• Implementing the Town’s Capital Improvement Program including parks, roadways, pathways, housing, and other projects.
• Implementing a parking master plan, including hiring a firm to provide professional parking management services.
• Implementing a short-term rental ordinance that Town Council recently adopted.
• Implementing a beach master plan to improve the overall beach going experience.
• Improving the Town’s permitting and plan review process.
• Developing a Town-Owned Property Management, Asset Management & Utilization Plan.
• Establishing an economic development strategy for business retention and expansion, commercial occupancy assessment and targeted recruitment of key business industries.
• Establishing a Historic & Cultural District Development Corporation that will help create strategic programs related to economic development, affordable housing, neighborhood planning and other opportunities related to its mission.

Orlando said Town staff will continue to work on the initiatives and give priority to top concerns Town Council members identified at the workshop including the mid-Island tract, housing, the William Hilton Parkway gateway corridor, short-term rentals, solid waste recycling, a land acquisition policy and a resiliency plan.

A video recording of the Strategic Action Plan Workshop is available on the Beaufort County Channel at https://beaufortcountysc.new.swagit.com/videos/180233. Also, the public can follow progress on all the strategic initiatives on the Town’s website at hiltonheadislandsc.gov/strategicplan/.

Original source can be found here.