Joe DeVito and Kevin Phillips want to be Port Royal’s mayor. Here’s where they stand

Joe Devito and Kevin Phillips will face off in the Nov. 7 mayoral race in the town of Port Royal.

DeVito, first elected as mayor four years ago, is running for reelection. He previously served as chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Commission and is former director of operations at Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority. He is currently a senior manager of utility solutions with Badger Meter Inc.

Phillips is a local attorney who was elected to the council in 2019. He’s a member of YMCA and South Coast Cyber Center boards and chairman of HELP of Beaufort, which provides food, clothing and short-term assistance to those in need.

The two candidates answered questions from the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. We printed their answers verbatim and they are presented in alphabetical order by the candidate’s last names.

Joe DeVito

Please provide your overall grade and supporting details of how the port property development is proceeding.

The question asks how the port development is doing, but I wonder if you are asking how the developer is doing, so I will answer both. The lower section, referred to as the port area, has had significant work regarding removing old structures and prepping the property for the next phase of construction. The town and the citizens are anxiously anticipating a master plan for this area and for the dock to start to be built, which may happen early in 2024. For the rest of the property, there has been no movement other than conceptual plans for the Bluff neighborhood, which in the PUD is to be a residential portion of the port property. Town staff, council and citizens don’t believe the conceptual plan for this area is in the spirit of the development agreement or the PUD, and certainly does not fit into the fabric of downtown. Communication between the developers and the town council is not meeting the needs of citizens. I have confidence that this can be corrected, and we will see a different level of communication moving forward because, after the release of the conceptual plan for the Bluff neighborhood, both the developer and the town understand there needs to be a much higher level of communication. Regarding the overall grade for the entire property, I would have to give it a C minus.

What steps should the Town take to ensure it meets the Town’s vision and requirements spelled out in the agreements?

If you’ve been following the project, then the steps are exactly what you saw after the release of the conceptual plan for the Bluff neighborhood. We requested more clarification and understanding of why and ended up having to go to the point of an executive session to have contract discussions about what would be built and should be built in the Bluff neighborhood. There is a difference between a conceptual plan and a permit to construct, and the town staff and Town Council will make sure that before a building permit is issued, the construction must meet the intentions of the development agreement the PUD and the residents of the Town will know what is going to happen.

Please provide your overall grade and supporting details for Beaufort County’s preliminary plans for the redevelopment of Ribaut Road. Are there elements you would suggest revisiting?

The portion of the project in Beaufort can affect what happens in Port Royal regarding car volume. At the project’s unveiling, I talked with the citizens, designers and county staff. I asked questions about the narrowing of Ribaut Road and how that will affect traffic through Port Royal, specifically had any traffic models been done at current and future rates. And until I receive that data, I could not support the upper sections narrowing. In the section through Port Royal, I think they considered much of the information we gave them concerning traffic calming and business and pedestrian access. I also believe there is more to be done, specifically about final speed limits and property access for businesses. The biggest concern is the intersection of Ribaut Road and McTeer Bridge. I’m still not confident we have the right design to accommodate pedestrians, businesses, and traffic. The plan shows us losing a valuable business. We must work to keep that business. I also believe we can solve the pedestrian issue by looking at a multi-use path under the McTeer Bridge connecting both sides of Ladies Island Drive to Ribaut Road and the downtown area. My overall grade is a C.

Is it time for Port Royal to regulate short-term rental properties?

The time for regulating short-term rentals is when the citizens of Port Royal ask the town Council to do so, and I am ready to take up the subject. With the benefits that come from short-term rentals in Port Royal, like exceptionally well-maintained property and the ability for families to go and watch the graduation of their young Marines and use our businesses, the big concern is we lose the village feel because, too many short term rentals are on a block and the full-time resident no longer have a connection to there neighbors.

The Town passed a tree ordinance in April that imposes some of the highest financial penalties in South Carolina for taking down “specimen” and “landmark” trees. In what ways can the Town protect its trees and environment without hurting the economic investment it needs as it grows?

The first thing that has to be done is you have to measure, which is the stage we’re in now, and we have to see if the new ordinance we put in place affects the economic development within the town limits. The town council and staff are prepared to review that subject in the first quarter of next year. Upon reviewing the data, we will determine if something else needs to be done or if we need to keep measuring further to see if the ordinance meets the needs we were looking for and still allows economic growth within the town limits.

What is your vision for Naval Hospital property?

The Naval Hospital is in Port Royal, and we are concerned about the property’s future. Still, I understand how the redevelopment of the property will genuinely benefit the region. Whatever happens on the property, the hospital building must be preserved. It is a landmark in this area and has a historic design. The property can be used for several economic drivers by bringing a diverse style of business and education to the site. None of this will occur without a unified plan by the community, which is our direction.

What should the Town be doing to ensure there is housing availability for moderate income workers as rents increase along with purchase prices for new and existing homes?

Accessible housing is more than a town issue. It’s a regional issue, and one way to solve this is for all the governing bodies to come together and agree on how to reduce the cost of housing. Sometimes, this requires us to give up some things like impact and capacity fees, but we need to understand that if we give these up, these houses will remain affordable for their life, not just a fixed period. We also need to look at our development policies and zoning ordinances to see if we are hindering the ability to build affordable homes.

What non-political skills do you bring to the job? For example, experience working with budgets or land development or land preservation? Can you change a tire?

Everything about me is non-political. I have spent over 30 years working in public service within this county. I have been responsible for developing and managing budgets at my job, which was more than the town budget. I have led a staff of over 60 employees to meet the needs of the citizens of Beaufort County, so I know we have to have service standards that the citizens want, and it’s our job to find a way to meet them. I had the great opportunity to spend almost 20 years involved in the planning of the town of Port Royal, the city of Beaufort, and even the larger area of Beaufort County. I have learned from multiple planning directors how to look into the future and see how actions today can affect the future. I understand how to operate, maintain, and preserve the the physical and personnel assets within the town.

I have gone through numerous FEMA training on how to respond to emergencies. I’ve been trained in the National Incident Management System process of handling a crisis. At my former job of 30 years and current job, I have been involved with development, redevelopment and asset replacement projects in the 10s of millions of dollars. I bring true leadership, not a political agenda.

Why are you running?

I ran for mayor to give back to my community. I have had the great opportunity to build knowledge of local municipalities and governmental operations. I wanted to use it to help Port Royal, and when I ran four years ago, I had committed to two terms because I believe it takes more than a single term to start moving the needle and head in a solid direction. I am running for a second term because I was asked to do so by my fellow leaders and the community, and we have started to move the needle and are heading in a very positive direction. In closing, I am running for Mayor to do the right thing for the right reasons for the citizens of Port Royal without regard or concern for my future.

Kevin Phillips

Please provide your overall grade and supporting details of how the port property development is proceeding.

Grade: D. At this point the 48,000 square-foot concrete building was torn down and that entire area is being used to manufacture docks for other, not Port Royal’s, marinas. The residential section has been slated for over 200 units of an entire rental neighborhood. Also, after almost two years of owning the property now Safe Harbor, citing liability concerns, have hung dozens of no trespassing signs on the property. Denying residents access to the water and beautiful views that they had enjoyed for years. Throughout this process the town has been nothing but accommodating to Safe Harbor, and it’s a shame to see them act this way towards the town and its citizens. Overall this is not the plan the town envisioned or signed up for. Honest answers from Safe Harbor have been hard to come by as to why they believe this is the best path forward and how this is creating a “world class marina.” Which is what they have publicly said many times. Now is the time for the town to stand united and demand that Safe Harbor honor the spirit of the development agreement and get this right.

What steps should the town take to ensure it meets the town’s vision and requirements spelled out in the agreements?

Accountability, Transparency, and Communication.

Accountability: The town, along with its legal department, must make sure that Safe Harbor is following the development agreement, and honoring the spirit of what the development agreement presents as a vision for what this development could be. Any concessions given to Safe Harbor must not be given unless the town receives something in return. Overall, we must maintain a working relationship with the guidelines for the planned unit development (PUD) and development agreements.

Transparency: The public must be a part of this process. The development agreement is between Safe Harbor and the Town of Port Royal. Which are the residents. So they are a party to this agreement. Public hearings and presentations must occur more frequently, and their feedback should be welcomed.

Communication: The development agreement requires Safe Harbor to provide regular updates to the town with regards to the Port. The town should demand that those updates are being provided. Communication between the town and Safe Harbor must be constant, and the public being involved as much as possible. The citizens are the town and they deserve to be heard.

Please provide your overall grade and supporting details for Beaufort County’s preliminary plans for the redevelopment of Ribaut Road. Are there elements you would suggest revisiting?

Grade: D. The plan as presented does nothing to address the largest traffic and congestion causing area on Ribaut, the base of the Lady’s Island, McTeer Bridge. Sticker price is over $60 million and the majority of that will be spent turning northern Ribaut Road into two lanes and installing three traffic circles. I’ve spoken with people in the area that live and work on Ribaut and not only does no one like the plan, but they raise some real safety concerns. While three public meeting were held, with the stated reason being to illicit public comments, it does not appear that the County has listened to anyone in the public. First, the issues at the base of the Lady’s Island Bridge must be addressed. Second, we need to make sure that the Spanish Moss Trail crossing is getting the attention and funding that it needs to make that crossing as safe as possible. As stated now, the Ribaut Road redevelopment will only push more traffic onto southern Ribaut, including large trucks. Making the area of the Spanish Moss Trail crossing more dangerous for families and people of all ages.

Is it time for Port Royal to regulate short-term rental properties?

When I was first elected this issue came before council. It was very contentious, and ultimately the ordinance to cap Short Term Rentals failed. Within my conversations around town people are still very split on this issue. Based on that I would be open to a referendum vote on the topic and let the people decide what type of town they wish Port Royal to be. Folly Beach held a similar public vote in February of this year. However, I am concerned with the potential of over 200 rental units being proposed for the port development. That if there is not a cap, then theoretically every single one of those could be turned into a short-term rental

The town passed a tree ordinance in April that imposes some of the highest financial penalties in South Carolina for taking down “specimen” and “landmark” trees. In what ways can the town protect its trees and environment without hurting the economic investment it needs as it grows?

I was very proud of the town when the tree ordinance was passed. It was a very cool, coastal, and far from ordinary thing to do. The natural environment is one of the things that makes this place so special, and everyone knows that. So when it comes to protecting trees, Port Royal just set the standard. I also think it’s was very prudent of the town to put exemptions in the tree ordinance for certain business development along certain business corridors in the town. We are set to review the ordinance soon and see how it is playing out in within the town. So while I fully support the tree ordinance I look forward to the review process.

What is your vision for Naval Hospital property?

The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce has taken the lead and put together a task force to come up with a plan for the Naval Hospital. They put money behind this, and held multiple meetings about this. I’ve attended those meetings and like the ideas that have been presented. It is essential that we have a plan, buy in from the community, and are able to articulate it when the times comes. No one knows exactly what the federal government will do with that property, but if we do not a plan we will have NO input. So some great first steps have been made.

If done correctly the property could ultimately be more than just one things. It is large enough to provide multiple types of development that will satisfy multiple needs within the community. It will provide a place for housing, it will provide jobs, and it will provide open civic space. It should be walkable and fit within the character of the rest of Port Royal. Since it sits on the water. There must be an emphasis on it being developed in a manner that keeps as much of it open to the public as possible.

What should the town be doing to ensure there is housing availability for moderate income workers as rents increase along with purchase prices for new and existing homes?

The town has taken some step in addressing this problem, but we still have a long way to go. Currently we have joined the Local Housing Trust that was just formed. We’ve committed funds to that group and their future endeavors. We’ve also started identifying land that the town owns that could potential place a part in solving this issue. I do not believe that we can just build our way out of this. This is an issues that may communities are dealing with. Especially on the cost. Where there is a high demand of people moving into those areas. We need to learn from those communities. Speak with other municipalities. See what they have done. What is working, and what is not. I truly believe that cooperation is one of the best tools when trying to solve a complex problem. So we need to be creative and most importantly we must be diligent. Keep our eye on this issue and continue to work at it.

What non-political skills do you bring to the job? For example, experience working with budgets or land development or land preservation? Can you change a tire?

Every day as a local attorney I help people solve problems. Some are small and some are life threatening. No one ever calls their lawyer with good news. As mayor a large part of that job is helping people with problems. You must present in the community and listening. Maybe it’s just a conversation, because someone wants to be heard. Maybe it’s pointing someone in the right direction. And if the answer is no, at least they knows their mayor heard them and tried everything they could to help. This is part of the job.

Also, as an attorney I deal with confrontation all day. I’m continually in a world of competing interest and I must move through that to get the best outcome for my client. I’m comfortable in that world. So when the town facing confrontation whether that be from a developer or another local government I will always pursue the best outcome for the Town of Port Royal. Confrontation is not always the best path forward, but when it is you cannot be scared of it. In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, “speak softly and carry a big stick”.

I’ve changed many, many tires.

Why are you running?

When you love something, you should fight for it. This town has given me so much and I am called to give back. The last four years serving on Town Council have been my absolute honor and privilege. I was given the responsibility, by the citizens, to represent them and their homes. When I first ran I made a promise to provide active and engaged leadership. Over four years, I’ve done everything in my power to do so. By doing that it forced me to be always present, and always accountable to my fellow residents. I’ve spent countless hours with all different people and all different neighborhoods in the town. In doing this I heard a consistent theme. People are worried and they are frustrated. Worried about the rapid over development, and what we are losing. They are frustrated because they felt as though no one is listening to them. Well I am listening and you are the reason I am running.