Vote
BRANIGIN
4 TYBEE
City Council

Forever Tybee Questions

Forever Tybee asked each candidate for Council to answer a series of questions. Since they asked quite a few questions, I have placed them on a separate page. To see their questions and my responses, simply click on the following link:

Hwy 80

The proposed improvements to Hwy 80 are inadequate. We may never get everything we would like, but we need to fight for more than what's been proposed thus far. Did you know that the current plans do not call for raising the roadbed in all areas that are subject to flooding? There are also things that could be done now: 1) lower the speed limit to 45 mph from Bull River to where it is 45 mph on Tybee and 2) ban bicycles and scooters between the bridges. To read my full position, click on the link below.

Short Term Vacation Rentals

Property owners have the right to use their property as they see fit, providing they comply with all relevant ordinances and regulations. This includes the right to turn their property into a vacation rental. However, residents also have a right not to be unduly inconvenienced by their neighbors. Recently, the City has taken steps to improve residents' abilities to report abuses by our short term "guests". This was a good first step but the City needs to continue efforts to ensure that residents' rights are protected without infringing on property owners' rights.

Historic Preservation

Preservation of historic properties should be encouraged but NOT mandated by our City government. Creating new historic districts (or expanding existing ones) might not seem like a big deal but the "deal" is that properties within historic districts fall under city ordinance 14-050: "After the designation by ordinance of a historic district or historic property, no material change in the exterior architectural appearance of any existing building within these areas shall be permitted to be made by the owner thereof unless or until applications for a certificate has been submitted to and approved by the [preservation] commission." Any new construction must also submit applications and must be judged to "conform in design, scale, building materials, setbacks and other exterior architectural features to the character of the designated district and site as specified in the commission's design guidelines."

Beach Renourishment

Tybee needs to explore options for becoming more self-sufficient in funding beach renourishment. Federal funds for discretionary items, such as sand for our beach, will be increasingly hard to come by and could very easily be denied in the future.

Dogs On The Beach

In the interest of full disclosure, I have a dog but I am neither for nor against "dogs on the beach". I understand the arguements both for and against and can debate this issue from either point of view. Since there are such strong feelings on both sides of this issue, I believe this should be the subject of a voter referendum at the earliest opportunity. NOTE: Edited for clarification on 9/18.

Golf Carts On Jones Ave

Some sections of Jones Ave. should be re-striped so that it would be legal to pass golf carts that are holding up traffic and refuse to pull over.

Laws and Order

Let's stop trying to solve every problem by creating a new ordinance. Tybee already has plenty of them. First examine existing ordinances and make sure they are being effectively enforced before proposing new ones. 

Discouraging Drinking and Driving

Put a sign on the eastbound right of way of Hwy 80 (a bit before the speed limit changes to 35 mph) saying something to the effect of "Do Not Drink and Drive - Traffic Leaving Tybee Is Subject To Random Safety Checks". If this prevents an accident on the Tybee Road, it's worth it. Oh, and have more frequent safety checks for outbound traffic. 

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 every email or post.