Hilton Head Monthly Magazine

Your town government is, after all, composed of residents like yourself: some are elected, some are employees, and some are volunteer board and commission members. We all enjoy the island for the same reasons you do. The town relies on residents of all ages, areas, and backgrounds to help us make a difference in how we live now and how future generations will live in the island. If you care about the island’s direction and want to protect the successes we have realized since incorporation, you are the perfect person to take a seat on one of our boards or commissions.

I would like to share with you a brief description of the town’s boards and commissions so you can determine the one that fits your qualifications or interest.

1. Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee — Reviews applications and makes recommendations to Town Council about disbursement of Accommodations Tax Funds.
2. Board of Zoning Appeals. — Hears and reviews Land Management Ordinance (LMO)-related appeals, variances, and special-exception use applications.
3. Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals — Considers variances from Standard Building Code and hears appeals from the Building Official
4. Design Review Board — Considers aesthetics and design applications along designated corridors.
5. Parks and Recreation Commission — Makes recommendations to Town Council for the establishment of an effective parks & recreational system for the town.
6. Planning Commission - Prepares and updates Comprehensive Plan; reviews all proposed zoning changes, public projects, streets and development name changes.
7. Disaster Recovery Commission — Makes recommendations to Town Council for improvements to the Disaster Recovery Plan and disaster public education and readiness.

How serving benefits the Community

We asked several Board and Commission chairpersons to share their experience with you:

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community. My experience on the Disaster Recovery Commission provides an interface with community lay people and Town staff, who are knowledgeable about the issues and interact together to bring forth solutions.”

“Nine citizens form a wide-variety of backgrounds comprise the Planning Commission. All members have one common goal: to make, when appropriate, decisions or recommendations to Town Council that will serve the best interests of the Island as a whole now and for its future from a planning perspective.”

Be part of a very interesting, creative and important team by downloading an application at www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov, picking up an application at Town Hall, or calling the Town Clerk at (843) 341-4604.