If you would like to see the complete questionairre, as I sent it to Forever Tybee, this link will access it PDF format.
Forever Tybee Questionnaire (PDF)
Following are the questions asked of all candidates by Forever Tybee. Background information / comments provided by Forever Tybee have been deleted for the in the interest of brevity.
Issue #1 Short-term Rentals, Parking, Noise, and Disruption to Neighborhoods
1. What changes would you propose in policy, ordinances, and plans to resolve this over-capacity issue?
It is important to recognize that Hwy 80 is a public road and the beach is a public beach. I believe that visitors who come to Tybee for the day have the greatest impact on “over capacity”. Parking may limit the number of visitors who stay for the day but it has little impact on how many attempt to come for the day. One option that could have an impact on the number of daily visitors is to raise the parking rates; perhaps adopting a “high season” / “off season” rate structure. The City should also clarify where parking is allowed in residential areas. Visitors often assume they can park on any street along the City’s right of way. Many residents do not think that is allowed, leading to conflict and confusion.
2. When the Tybee City Council approved the short-term rental ordinance, they committed to revisiting it when the property registrations were completed. Would you be in favor of an update to the ordinance and what specific changes would you propose?
The City should constantly be reviewing and updating all ordinances, as appropriate and the STVR ordinance is no exception. Most of the issues related to short term vacation rentals have to do with noise and parking. The City already has ordinances in place to deal with violators. Those ordinances should be more stringently enforced. The STVR registration requirement was established for several reasons, including providing the ability to gather factual information about the nuisance behavior. Once STVR registrations are complete, I would propose that the City publish the list of registered STVRs to include each property’s address, rental agent and contact phone number. This would make it easier for residents to report problems. In addition, I would support some type of penalty for properties with a documented history of violations (actual TIPD citations).
Issue #2 Shore Protection, Beach Management, and Our Environment
1. What policies, ordinances, and resources would you advocate for to ensure that Tybee maintains its dune system, is able to adequately renourish its beaches, and creates a healthy, clean, and safe beach environment?
The reality is that, other than cleaning and keeping the beach safe, the DNR has jurisdiction over the dunes and it must approve any actions related to the “sand”. The City should work with the DNR to restore, maintain and improve our dune system. The City also needs to explore options for becoming much more self-sufficient when it comes to beach renourishment. Local and State funds might continue to be available, but increasing pressures on the Federal budget will, at some point, put those funds at risk. Tybee must develop a funding plan for beach renourishment that is less reliant on federal dollars while working to maximize financial support from Chatham County and the State.
2. What changes, if any, would you like to see in the roles of City Departments, the Beach Task Force, and others in support of beach management?
As evidenced by the impact of our two most recent hurricanes (Matthew and Irma) the Beach Task Force should continue to work to improve and maintain our dune system. I addition, the City should continue its efforts to enforce the existing ordinances that pertain to the beach – especially littering and underage drinking. Ocean Rescue and DPW staff should make it a priority to report violations, especially littering, underage drinking and public intoxication, to the police. I would also look at revamping the “ambassador” program so that it is more open to part-time volunteers.
Issue #3A Planning, Zoning, and Building
1. What should be roles and relationship by and between the Planning Commission and the Master Plan Implementation Committee.
The Master Plan Implementation Committee is not empowered to take direct action. Its role is to provide recommendations to Council and City staff on strategies and priorities for implementing the Master Plan. This should include evaluating whether their recommendations can be implemented within existing ordinances and codes. If the Council agrees with a recommendation it should follow the normal process for actions requested by Council.
2. What should be the role of the Planning and Zoning Department?
The primary role of the Planning and Zoning Department should be code enforcement. In doing so, the Department should work cooperatively with citizens to accommodate requests when possible and not obstruct, if possible.
Issue #3B Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
1. What actions would you promote to move to full implementation of the Sea Level Rise Plan and adapting to climate change?
Sea level rise and global climate change are global issues. Federal and State governments have primary responsibility for developing and implementing strategies to combat these issues. The City should focus its efforts and resources on those things that it has direct responsibility for and that it is empowered to address. Primarily, the City should focus on protecting its own infrastructure, including its buildings, roads, water/sewer/storm drainage systems, and the island’s dune system. It should also be a priority for the City to develop guidelines for areas with concentrations of “repetitive loss” properties, while considering that many of those properties are historic. The City should also continue to work on intergovernmental partnerships at the County, State and Federal levels for areas that are outside of the City’s direct control.
2. How quickly do you think the City of Tybee should work to adapt to climate change?
Climate change issues should be prioritized along with all the other competing demands, remembering that the City’s resources (personnel, monies, etc.) are not unlimited.
Issue #3C Drinking Water, Water Treatment, and the Well
1. What actions would you propose to ensure that Tybee has a safe and adequate supply of potable water?
Under the State’s existing municipal water usage regulations, the issue is not whether Tybee will have a safe and adequate supply of potable water. The issue is whether Tybee will be faced with significant fines/fees for exceeding its allotment. The most effective way to control water usage is with aggressive pricing, establishing a reasonable household and business allocation and implementing increasingly higher pricing for those exceeding their allotment. In addition to discouraging excess water consumption, the City should encourage and reward good water management practices, including further exploration of the use of “shallow wells” for water needs that do not require that water be potable.
2. What steps can be taken to ensure that Tybee remains compliant with current or future water withdrawal permits during the peak tourist season?
Because the Island is a vacation destination for a large number of people, the population is variable, especially during the peak tourist season. Reviewing and revising the acceptable withdrawal limits to better account for our peak season may be the best viable option.
Issue #3D Sustainable Development, Tourism, and Growth
1. Do you support the development of a Growth Management Plan for Tybee? If not, what is your plan for better managing future growth?
The question assumes that Tybee has significant growth left to manage. Given the relatively small number of buildable lots that remain undeveloped (approx. 72 lots are currently for sale, 23 of which are in Battery Row), I am not convinced that another “plan” is needed. Currently there are zoning ordinances, building guidelines, etc. in place to manage both new development and the re-development of existing properties. These ordinances and guidelines can be updated as future needs dictate but we must recognize and acknowledge that Tybee is a community comprised of competing and sometimes conflicting interests (private property rights, economic growth, environmental resource constraints, etc) and that Tybee is a community that is financially dependent on a healthy and robust tourism industry.
2. If yes, what are your top three (3) priorities to address? See above.
Issue #3E Transportation, Roads, Highway 80, Walking, and Bicycling
1. Given the GDOT realities, during your term in office what specific actions would you propose to reduce congestion and make Tybee Road safer?
First, I would challenge the current GDOT “realities”. While the City has been aggressive in dealing with the GDOT, it needs to be even more aggressive. I would immediately propose that the City develop and “market” a petition aimed at residents, property owners, business owners and visitors to keep up the push for four lane bridges and a four lane Tybee Road. If you believe the GDOT has Tybee’s best interests in mind, you need only look at the recent re-striping near Ft. Pulaski. Creating the dedicated turn lane for the Fort was a good thing, but the short (.3 miles) passing lane just before the Fort makes the drive to Tybee more dangerous than it was before whenever there is high traffic volume. The reality is that GDOT is an institution that reacts to well-targeted political pressure. The City should consider engaging a lobbyist to promote our highway infrastructure needs over those of competing jurisdictions. We should not accept second-class citizenship status from our state government or its agencies. If we cannot get a four lane road from Bull River to Lazaretto Creek (including both bridges), then the following items MUST be included in the GDOT plan:
• Raising the road bed so that seasonal flooding is not an issue
• Parking for the western McQueens Island trailhead should be eliminated
• A turn lane into Ft. Pulaski should be established for westbound traffic (leaving Tybee).
2. What actions could business, residents, and tourists be asked to take to ensure safety?
There are many other safety issues that do not involve Hwy 80. Here are some:
• Change the flashing crosswalk lights from amber to red so that they are more visible and actually indicate STOP.
• Modify the bike path through Memorial Park so that it can be used for golf carts and explore ways to get them off of Jones Ave.
• Publish monthly police statistics (reported crimes, arrests made, etc.) on the City’s web site. Better to share facts than fight rumors that will circulate on social media.
• Do away with some parking spaces on Butler Ave near cross streets. Some parking spaces extend all the way to the intersection, making it dangerous for residents and visitors to pull out due to the lack of a clear line of sight.
You can email me with your questions, comments, etc. or you can post them on my campaign Facebook page. I will respond to each and evey email or post.