From The Blog

Land Trade Proposal Approved by Membership

At a Special Meeting on Sept. 22, voting was concluded and results announced for the proposed land trade between KICA and Kiawah Partners (KP). 63.1% of eligible members cast a vote (members with past due assessments are ineligible), achieving the required quorum of 51%. After votes were tabulated, the motion passed with 87% of the votes cast in favor.

“KICA would like to thank everyone for helping us achieve quorum during this process,” said KICA COO Jimmy Bailey. “The number of members who voted, whether for or against, demonstrates that our members care about the future of the island.”

As a result of the proposal approval, the Kiawah Conservancy will receive easements several properties totaling more than700 acres of critical natural habitat for conservation. It will also provide habitat for 15 federal and state listed species of concern, protect critical dolphin strand feeding areas, and eliminate the risk of up to 25 multi-family residential and/or commercial units at Kiawah’s entrance. According to the Conservancy in a statement released after the September meeting, they plan to place much of the acreage into easement immediately, and have already started fund raising efforts to purchase the “Rabbit North” property from KP (for more details on these specific properties, visit kiawahconservancy.org/yestokiawah).

“We want to thank all those who participated in the vote as this was your opportunity to indicate your preferences for the balance of nature and development on Kiawah Island,” said Conservancy officials. “We are gratified that the vision…. of an entranceway to Kiawah preserved in a natural state was shared by so many of our neighbors.”

For more information and background on the proposal and vote, visit kica.us/parceltrade. Full video from the Sept. 22 Special Meeting can be viewed online at kica.us/livestream.