Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
The Board of Directors of Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity unveiled the house named in honor of retired President and CEO, Pat Wirth. The Patricia Carey Wirth House is a celebration of the nearly two decades Wirth spent at the helm of this affiliate, leading tremendous growth in providing simple, decent housing for so many families in southern Beaufort and Jasper counties.
The football number worn by Dwon “D.J.” Fields Jr. will not be worn again after Bluffton High School retired his No. 55. A ceremony was held Sept. 16. Fields was shot and killed March 2021. Fields’ death stunned the community last year.
A proposal to allow golf carts on multi-use paths on Buckwalter Parkway and Bluffton failed to move ahead. The ordinance failed on Beaufort County Council’s first reading with a 5-5 vote. Those voting against the proposal cited safety concerns.
A proposal for a large pickleball facility in Bluffton was tabled by the Bluffton Planning Commission. The commission cited parking and traffic concerns. The planned 10-acre Lowcountry Pickleball Club would include six indoor courts, six covered outdoor courts and six uncovered outdoor courts.
Bluffton Town Council approved a resolution that requests the South Carolina Department of Transportation to partner with the town to help reduce speed limits on “certain state-owned roads” in town. The roads included are portions of Bridge and Wharf streets, portions of Red Cedar, Whispering Pine and Pin Oak streets, Jason and Able streets, a portion of 8th Avenue, Shults and Goethe roads, and Hilderbrand Street. The plan is part of the “Pathway and Pedestrian Safety Improvements” initiative.
Stephenie Price resigned as police chief of the Town of Bluffton. Price’s last day of employment with the Town is expected to be on or before Sept. 15, according to a new release. Captain Scott Chandler has been named interim chief. During her nearly two years with Bluffton Police Department, Price developed a mental health and wellness program and supervised the newly created community mental health advocate position. Price has been chief of police since Oct. 12, 2020.
H. E. Trask Boat Landing near Bluffton is closed for three months (beginning in mid- July) for the installation of a 100-foot sectional dock. A news release said the new dock will have five 8-foot by 20-foot floating sections. The project is expected to cost $288,609. Part of the project cost is funded by a $52,310 hospitality tax grant, with the balance of $236,299 covered by the Public Works Department.
Bluffton and Hardeeville continue to grow. The U.S. Census Bureau released its 2021 population estimates by municipality which showed the state’s population grew 1.4 percent to 5.19 million residents in 2021 over 2020.
Bluffton ranks No. 1 and Hardeeville No. 8 among the fastest-growing cities based on population.
The town of Bluffton’s planning commission approved a preliminary development agreement for new townhomes. The proposed development, Indigo Cove Townhomes, which is at the northeast corner of Bluffton Parkway and Buck Island Road, is set for 23 acres. It will consist of 83 single-family units. Developers will next present an updated agreement to the development review committee.
The town of Bluffton received a $25,895 grant from the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism as part of its Undiscovered South Carolina grant program. The funds are to add permanent exhibits to the Garvin-Garvey House Museum. The house was built by Cyrus Garvey. His family lived on the property until 1961. The project will cost $51,970.
