State Senator Matthews now representing 8 Pine Island golf supporters in land use dispute

A long serving South Carolina state senator is now involved in Beaufort County’s seemingly never ending debate on land usage on Pine Island. Eight names were added to the existing legal appeal, voicing their support of Developer Elvio Tropeano’s Pine Island Plan. State senator Margie Bright Matthews (D- Colleton), who represents parts of Allendale, Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties, will represent those eight in the appeal process.

Tropeano is appealing Beaufort County’s planning commission’s ruling denying the proposed development of three six-hole golf courses within St. Helena’s Cultural Protection Overlay. The CPO restricts development on St. Helena, aiming to protect the Gullah Geechee culture by restricting gated communities, resorts and golf courses.

Before strengthening the CPO earlier this year, the commission stated that a golf course consisted of 9 or more holes. Tropeano argues that three six-hole courses should have been allowed and that Beaufort County purposefully held his plans back until they could change the CPO to disallow a course of any holes.

Retired St. Helena Island Postmaster Roy Brown, former candidate for auditor and real estate professional, Willie Turral and the former manager of the Penn Center’s Welcome Center Tade Oyeilumi.

There’s two main reasons the eight have joined the appeal process, according to Matthews.

There are the familiar arguments regarding Tropeano’s two plans for the island. His preferred plan has less house in exchange for the golf club. The alternative would see the entire island turned into housing equating to over 160 houses and 70 docks, Tropeano says.

“They have an interest in the density issue, saying that a golf course as proposed with the limited number of houses under 66 houses is better,” Matthews said. “They have a more substantial interest in that plan as opposed to the “by right plan” which has over 160 houses.”

The “by right” plan follows the rules for the way the land is currently zoned.

Matthews said her clients wanted to level the playing field. Another reason for adding the eight names is in response to other parties joining the appeal on the opposing side. The Coastal Conservation league added their formal support for the CPO on Sept. 29.

“I’ve been involved with coastal Conservation League supporting their efforts for a long time. So it was sort of puzzling to me.” Matthews said. She will only represent the eight people added on. She will not have any part in representing Tropeano or his team during the appeal process.

“They have their own attorneys, and their own attorneys will represent them,” she said.

When asked if she was providing her work pro bono or being paid, Matthews declined to answer. “That’s attorney client privileged, I would never divulge that information,” she said.

Even with recent redistricting maps in effect, Matthews state senate district doesn’t represent Pine Island. The barrier island is represented by Senator George E. “Chip” Campsen (R-Charleston), who said he didn’t mind Matthews involvement in the matter.

“I have no issue with a member of the General Assembly, a lawyer to represent whoever clients they choose,” Campsen told the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. “I do not support what she’s trying to do however. I support the overlay district on St. Helena.”

Campsen said he’d prefer the island stay protected to protect the rich culture of St. Helena, but would also like to find a way to compensate Tropeano for protecting the island.

“This has nothing to do with our senatorial responsibilities,” Matthews said. “I don’t see what our elected position has to do with an issue regarding the use of property.”