ST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C. () — Over 200 people filled the room on Monday night for a controversial topic that has been in front of the Beaufort County Council several times before.

The Pine Island Development LLC requested that the property be removed from a cultural protection overlay (CPO), a decades-old agreement which protects and preserves St. Helena land and culture of the Gullah Geechee community.

“The developer has never understood what this is about. Never. It’s not about incentives that most people will never see. It’s about the CPO, the preservation of the history, the culture, and the heritage of the Gullah Geechee Nation that spans six generations,” said one St. Helena Island resident who is against the development.

Several people attended the meeting with signs in hand that read “Protect St. Helena. Uphold the CPO. No gates, no golf on Pine Island.”

When taking the stand, many said the same thing. The golf course and homes planned for the property are not wanted by the people on the island.

“The proposed rezoning is a slap in the face to all those who participated over the decades in our democratic and inclusive planning process. Let’s be clear. Multiple comprehensive plans and the CPO had long stated, no more gated resorts and no additional golf on St. Helena Island. Period,” said former Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray.

But several others, wearing shirts that read “Downzoning = Responsible Growth,” support the developer’s plans.

A new development agreement was also presented Monday night.

According to the presentation, the new agreement would push for future economic opportunities, smart growth, and less environmental impacts.

“They care about preserving. They care about making sure that they can promote responsible decisions. My concern is always going to be our youth because that is our future,” said a St. Helena Island resident who is for the development.

The new Pine Island plan would allow for a 66% reduction in density, 60% reduction in traffic, 60% reduction in forest protection, 90% reduction in docks on Village and Eddings Creek, and Morgan River.

The presentation also stated that 30,000 feet of shoreline would be protected, 360 acres would be permanent open space, and 1,000,000 sq. feet of impervious surface would be removed, reducing runoff and improving water quality.

The developer’s attorney also stated that they have all 173 septic permits currently approved, but instead would use a Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility.

After almost six hours of the public taking the stand and voicing their opinions on the development, the decision was finally in the council’s hands.

Their vote would ultimately keep discussions going or stop or stall the development negotiations for another year.

Councilman Logan Cunningham made statements before the vote:

“I would ask our council members that this isn’t a yes vote today to ban the CPO or anything like that. It’s to continue negotiations to see, what can we do with this property? We’re shortchanging ourselves if we end it today and not continuing to figure out, is there any opportunity that best suits St. Helena and all of Beaufort County,” said Cunningham.

Councilman York Glover, who represents the St. Helena district, thanked Cunningham for his statements, but said that he thinks the decision should be left to the citizens of St. Helena.

“The type of development they prefer, they will come forth with that. But at this time here, a golf course, however you want to phrase it, is not in the best interest of St. Helena at this time,” said Glover. “I appreciate his concern (referring to Cunningham) for St. Helena. I hope he will support efforts coming forward for St. Helena, but this is not for St. Helena.”

In the end, the Council voted 9-2 against continuing negotiations for the Pine Island Development.

The council also voted not to approve the ordinance to authorize the development agreement between the development and Beaufort County. Reason for denial is said not to be consistent with the goals and objectives of the 2040 comprehensive plan, the community development code and all other Beaufort County ordinances.