News Brief: St. Helena Island Community Rallies to Preserve Cultural Heritage

Beaufort, SC – A dedicated grassroots group is staging a peaceful gathering, Wednesday, August 20, at 12 PM in the courtyard of the Beaufort County Administration Building, part of the Robert Smalls Government Complex located at 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902 .

The demonstration is timed ahead of a special council meeting at 1 PM to urge County Council to oppose any special carve-outs to the Cultural Protection Overlay (CPO) for the existing 500-acre Pine Island property on St. Helena Island.

Since 2022, developer Pine Island Property Holdings LLC (led by Elvio Tropeano) has sought to remove this land from the CPO zoning in order to build a luxury, gated golf resort—including up to three 6-hole golf courses—on Pine Island (also referred to as St. Helenaville)  . The CPO zoning, established in the 1990s by the St. Helena community, specifically bans golf courses, gated communities, and resorts in order to safeguard Gullah Geechee culture, rural landscapes, and self-sufficiency  .

In June 2023, both the Beaufort County Planning Commission and County Council rejected the rezoning request—Council voted 8‑2 against lifting the CPO protections  . That decision upheld decades of zoning designed to preserve the island’s cultural and historical integrity. Despite this, the developer continues to press forward: a new application was submitted in April 2025 proposing an 18‑hole golf course and 49 homes, along with promises to preserve open space and shoreline, although this plan still conflicts with the CPO.

The outcome of the upcoming council meeting could set a critical precedent: reinforcing the heritage-focused zoning like the Penn Center and cultural advocates desire, or allowing a shift toward development that opponents argue could diminish the identity and legacy of the Gullah Geechee community.

What?

Gathering in support of St. Helena’s Cultural Protection Overlay

When?

Wednesday, August 20 at 12 PM, followed by a special council meeting at 1 PM

Where?

📍Beaufort County Administration Building, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902

Why?

To oppose a special exemption from CPO zoning for Pine Island’s proposed golf course and residential development

This mobilization reflects St. Helena’s ongoing struggle to balance cultural preservation with economic pressures.

More details here: https://protectsthelena.com/

Sources: https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/06/28/gullah-geechee-land-protected-south-carolina

https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/06/22/proposed-golf-course-gullah-geechee-land-st-helena-island

Here’s what happening around town this week:

Thursday, August 21 – End of Summer Mixer. Hosted by the Junior Service League of Beaufort at Shellring Ale Works in Port Royal. 6–8 PM | RSVP

Saturday, August 23– Wellness on the Farm. Morning Glory Homestead Farm, St. Helena Island. Speaker Farante Ager, “The Healthy Lowcountry Lady,” will lead an evening focused on wellness, nutrition, and family-friendly farm-to-table eating with hands-on activities and 4-H programming for kids. You can also attend virtually. 11 AM - 1 PM| Click here for tickets.

Saturday, August 23 – Downtown Retro Fest - Sip, shop, dine, and dance your way through downtown Beaufort with scrunchies, fanny packs, and full retro vibes. 10 AM–4 PM