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Protecting the South Carolina coast is a priority for many, including coastal community leaders, environmental advocates, state and federal lawmakers, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This week, these stakeholders are gathering at Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms for the 11th annual South Carolina Beach Advocates meeting. (WCIV)

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCIV) — Protecting the South Carolina coast is a priority for many, including coastal community leaders, environmental advocates, state and federal lawmakers, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This week, these stakeholders are gathering at Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms for the 11th annual South Carolina Beach Advocates meeting.

IOP Mayor Phillip Pounds emphasized the importance of preserving the coastline, describing the area as "a slice of paradise" with its seven miles of beach, easy access, ample parking, and vibrant local businesses.

However, maintaining the beachfront is both challenging and costly. Mayor Pounds revealed that the city plans to participate in a $20 million renourishment project next year, with the city bearing a significant portion of the cost. He expressed a desire for the state to play a more active role in funding such initiatives.

"For us not to have an ongoing state-level funding mechanism for beach renourishment is something that needs to change," said Pounds. "That's one of the main focuses of this group."

Pounds noted that future renourishment spending could reach $200 million in the coming decades. While the city plans to fund most of the work for now, Pounds acknowledged the need for external assistance.

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"We can't tax our way out of that scenario. We can't bring enough short-term rentals. We can't bring enough tourists to the island to pay for that," he said.

The city is exploring partnerships with the state and other entities, including early discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Several other coastal communities have already partnered with the Army Corps.

Jeff Livasy of the Army Corps of Engineers highlighted the significance of their work in the region. "It means everything to us. Although we're a part of the federal government, we live, work and play here in the Lowcountry," Livasy said.

The Army Corps' Charleston division recently completed a renourishment project on Folly Beach. Livasy emphasized their long-term commitment to coastal projects, stating, "We partner with them for the long term. Not just annual projects. But some of our projects have a fifty-year life."

Old recipes, extra carbs, complex sauces, and cheese — it’s no shocker why Italian cuisine is adored. The temperature is dropping in the Lowcountry, so there’s no better time to cozy up to a bowl of handmade pasta. Restaurants choose the traditional approach or a fresh take on the classics, but one thing remains constant — dishes are always full of house-made components.

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Take in the ocean views at this Isle of Palms destination while exploring an Italian menu with no shortage of seafood. Seasonal dishes like a marsala wreckfish with a potato crust offer a distinct take on Italian favorites.

This Sullivan’s Island stunner offers a menu full of seafood, handmade pastas, and wood-fired pizzas. Melt-in-your-mouth short rib gnocchi and strozzapreti with sausage ragu are among the diverse pasta options. Pizzas are topped with any and everything — the Five Fathom Hole 3.0 features Clammer Dave’s clams and rapini. Note: Following a fire, the Obstinate Daughter closed temporarily in January, so check to see if it has reopened.

Old-school Italian spot Cuoco Pazzo Trattoria offers all the hits: lasagna alla Napoletana, fettuccini alfredo, spaghetti alla carbonara, veal marsala, shrimp scampi, and more.

Located in the handsome Emeline hotel, Frannie & the Fox offers Italian bites near the Market. Hits include the wood-fired pizzas, blue crab fritters, chicken Milanese, meatballs with whipped ricotta and a white Negroni on tap.

Charleston-based Beemok Hospitality Collection and chef Michael Mina’s Mina Group opened the gorgeous Italian restaurant Sorelle in 2023, and it’s since been a go-to for swanky dates and luxurious meals. Serving brunch and dinner, Sorelle excels in southern Italian cooking, which means grilled octopus, picatta-style swordfish, and mafaldine with

barolo-braised beef cheeks.

Le Farfalle’s modern take on Italian cuisine makes the dimly lit eatery a go-to spot for a a family gathering, date night, or comforting meal alone with a plate full of perfectly cooked pasta. Memorable dishes include the duck-confit-stuffed agnolotti and the jumbo lump crab with linguine.

Indaco is a cozy nook of a restaurant on Upper King. The wood-fired oven glows as pizzas and Italian entrees are prepared. The burrata is always a hit to share, and the seasonal pastas always have comforting combinations like the tagliatelle with pork tesa and a Storey Farms egg.

Chef Vinson Petrillo pulls inspiration from his own Italian family’s traditions for the menu at Costa. Popular starters include the scallop crudo with passionfruit or burrata with a seasonal setup. Try the beef cheek tortellini and then move on to the eggplant Parmigiana, pork Milanese, or grilled swordfish. The dining room and bar are seductive, with some of the best lighting in town — perfect for date nights.

Classic Italian dishes are revamped with bright, unexpected ingredients at Melfi’s. Slices of doughy bread topped with combinations like avocado and pistachio invigorate the bruschetta, and handmade pastas are packed with intense flavors. Diners also can’t go wrong with the crisp Melfi’s Roman-style pizzas — the kitchen’s take on the margherita is a standout thanks to a creamy, housemade stracciatella cheese.

Hip Huger Street stop Renzo might be better known for wood-fired pizza and funky wines, but this restaurant also packs in some great versions of Italian staples in the “Not Pizza” section of the menu. The pillowy ricotta gnudi with bagna cauda and the gargati Bolognese are in heavy rotation this winter, but always try the special, whatever it is.

Make the short drive off the peninsula to Johns Island for authentic Italian cuisine using local ingredients. Look for handmade ravioli, pappardelle, and lasagna with added flare from a venison, elk, and ribeye combination. Customers can get the best of both worlds by adding a $7 side of gnocchi to any meat or seafood entree.

Take in the ocean views at this Isle of Palms destination while exploring an Italian menu with no shortage of seafood. Seasonal dishes like a marsala wreckfish with a potato crust offer a distinct take on Italian favorites.

This Sullivan’s Island stunner offers a menu full of seafood, handmade pastas, and wood-fired pizzas. Melt-in-your-mouth short rib gnocchi and strozzapreti with sausage ragu are among the diverse pasta options. Pizzas are topped with any and everything — the Five Fathom Hole 3.0 features Clammer Dave’s clams and rapini. Note: Following a fire, the Obstinate Daughter closed temporarily in January, so check to see if it has reopened.

Old-school Italian spot Cuoco Pazzo Trattoria offers all the hits: lasagna alla Napoletana, fettuccini alfredo, spaghetti alla carbonara, veal marsala, shrimp scampi, and more.

Located in the handsome Emeline hotel, Frannie & the Fox offers Italian bites near the Market. Hits include the wood-fired pizzas, blue crab fritters, chicken Milanese, meatballs with whipped ricotta and a white Negroni on tap.

Charleston-based Beemok Hospitality Collection and chef Michael Mina’s Mina Group opened the gorgeous Italian restaurant Sorelle in 2023, and it’s since been a go-to for swanky dates and luxurious meals. Serving brunch and dinner, Sorelle excels in southern Italian cooking, which means grilled octopus, picatta-style swordfish, and mafaldine with

barolo-braised beef cheeks.

Le Farfalle’s modern take on Italian cuisine makes the dimly lit eatery a go-to spot for a a family gathering, date night, or comforting meal alone with a plate full of perfectly cooked pasta. Memorable dishes include the duck-confit-stuffed agnolotti and the jumbo lump crab with linguine.

Indaco is a cozy nook of a restaurant on Upper King. The wood-fired oven glows as pizzas and Italian entrees are prepared. The burrata is always a hit to share, and the seasonal pastas always have comforting combinations like the tagliatelle with pork tesa and a Storey Farms egg.

Chef Vinson Petrillo pulls inspiration from his own Italian family’s traditions for the menu at Costa. Popular starters include the scallop crudo with passionfruit or burrata with a seasonal setup. Try the beef cheek tortellini and then move on to the eggplant Parmigiana, pork Milanese, or grilled swordfish. The dining room and bar are seductive, with some of the best lighting in town — perfect for date nights.

Classic Italian dishes are revamped with bright, unexpected ingredients at Melfi’s. Slices of doughy bread topped with combinations like avocado and pistachio invigorate the bruschetta, and handmade pastas are packed with intense flavors. Diners also can’t go wrong with the crisp Melfi’s Roman-style pizzas — the kitchen’s take on the margherita is a standout thanks to a creamy, housemade stracciatella cheese.

Hip Huger Street stop Renzo might be better known for wood-fired pizza and funky wines, but this restaurant also packs in some great versions of Italian staples in the “Not Pizza” section of the menu. The pillowy ricotta gnudi with bagna cauda and the gargati Bolognese are in heavy rotation this winter, but always try the special, whatever it is.

Make the short drive off the peninsula to Johns Island for authentic Italian cuisine using local ingredients. Look for handmade ravioli, pappardelle, and lasagna with added flare from a venison, elk, and ribeye combination. Customers can get the best of both worlds by adding a $7 side of gnocchi to any meat or seafood entree.

Published: Feb. 7, 2025 at 1:50 AM PST|

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) - A brand-new city dock is set to open on the Isle of Palms marina, just in time to prepare for the warmer months ahead.

The City of Isle of Palms is cutting the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the first-ever city-owned dock along the Marina.

Leaders, locals and visitors alike can attend the official opening at 50 41st Avenue from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

City leaders say they hope to see the amenity promote community engagement with more recreational activities. The 16-foot-wide pier has swings and benches along with a disability friendly walkway to a kayak and stand-up paddle board launch access. A new greenspace is expected to add on to the dock area in the near future.

Funds from a federal COVID-19 relief program called the American Rescue Plan brought the idea to reality. City leaders are using $1.7 million from the program’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery effort for the project. The recovery effort put billions of dollars to work nationally to allow state, local, territorial and Tribal governments to replace lost sector revenue while providing government services.

Plans for the newest addition began in 2020 with city council public workshops. Leaders say the surrounding community put the dock at the top of the priority list.

Nearby businesses say they are excited to see the new dock come to life after watching the construction over the years.

The general manager at the Outpost store says he sees the dock being a good amenity for the area, islanders and businesses.

One person living on Isle of Palms says she believes other issues such as home sewage flow should have been highlighted instead when asked about the dock.

Local real estate agent Lin Nelson says the amenity adds to the community value for residents. She says the addition is good for the public and residents to bring more people to the area with tourism.

“If I’m a resident here, I want that to use something that could be benefit family, residents, children and public. So that it could bring business to the area…for the small-business owner too.”

The dock will be open every day from sunrise to sunset.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

|Updated: Feb. 7, 2025 at 6:31 PM EST

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) - Isle of Palms leaders have applied for permits to dredge parts of the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway and the city marina to deepen the water access.

The permits, filed in January, note that parts of the marina measure only eight feet deep and the plans are to make the intercoastal entrance 12 feet deep and the Morgan Creek inlet where the marina is located ten feet deep.

The project is part of regular upkeep and the last time the marina was dredged was in 2011. Mayor Phillip Pounds says it’s an important way to preserve waterway access.

“We spend so much time and effort on the beach side of our island. This marina, this dock, the dredging, you know, it’s the focus on the intercoastal side or the creek area that sometimes doesn’t get as much attention as you like, but again, the purpose of the marina was to provide access to the water for those that didn’t have it,” Pounds says.

In 2023, the State Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism earmarked $1.5 million for the city to spend on dredging. That source will be the main fund for the work, which does not have a final price tag as it is in the early application stage.

“It just naturally silts back in. So it’s time to do that again. So hopefully we’ll get the permit this year, and at some point, line up a contractor and get the project done, maybe late this year, more likely first half of next year,” Pounds says.

The project plans to remove up to 20,000 cubic yards of soil, sand and silt material from the bottom of the channel. There are a few proposals for what to do with those materials.

Ideas include putting the materials under the Isle of Palms connector, onto Goat Island, at Inlet Creek or Swinton Creek on the opposite side of the intercoastal waterway. Another proposal is to put the sediment material on parts of the Wild Dunes Harbor Course, building up the land.

The routine dredging applications come around the same time the city celebrated the opening of its first public dock on the intercoastal waterway.

The mayor and city leaders hope to continue improving the plot of land at 40 51st Avenue making it an asset for visitors and residents alike.

“They’ve added a boat club with our new tenant over here at the marina. So it’s just been a lot of amenities added to this area and improvements made. We’ve invested a lot of time and energy and money, obviously, out here,” Pounds says.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Charleston and Isle of Palms agreed to settle a lawsuit against a number of short-term rental companies, including Airbnb and VRBO, in an attempt to recoup some taxes and fees that the business owes.

Both city and town councils approved a settlement agreement at their respective meetings on Jan. 28. But neither government publicly disclosed how money they'll receive from the businesses that have been operating for years without paying local accommodation taxes or business license fees, according to the complaint.

Attorney Jesse Kirchner, who along with two other lawyers, represents 14 South Carolina cities, towns and counties that joined the suit. He told The Post and Courier after Charleston's vote that the deal isn't final until all municipalities sign off. Once all agree, Kirchner said details of the settlement will be released.

Earlier this month, Mount Pleasant Town Council accepted a payout of nearly $500,000 in the same suit. Mayor Will Haynie, the lone vote against the settlement, disclosed the figure that Mount Pleasant would get saying it was not enough to "make up for what it's going to do to this town."

Haynie said he's worried about state legislation that could remove the town's cap on short-term rental permits and essentially open the floodgates to these companies that collect from tourists taxes and fees that never make it to the localities they're visiting.

The municipalities that initiated the lawsuit are some of South Carolina's biggest tourism destinations, including Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, North Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island. Mount Pleasant later joined the suit, as did Beaufort County, Edisto Beach, Port Royal and Greenville.

The complaint alleges the companies failed to pay municipalities' local accommodations taxes, and in some cases, business licenses, despite collecting the fees from rental operators and vacationers who use their sites.

Annual license fees are based on a businesses' gross income, according to the city of Charleston's website. This year, the city expects to collect $52 million from the licenses — the city's second highest revenue generator behind only property taxes, according to figures from a November budget workshop. The money flows into the city's general fund paying for its day-to-day operation.

Municipalities across the state levy accommodations taxes of up to 3 percent on hotels and other rented lodgings within their jurisdictions. In Charleston, the tax is set at 2 percent. The fee is paid by the renter, collected by the hotel or business renting the space, and paid to the municipality.

This year, the city expects nearly $12 million in local "a-tax," as its commonly called, which helps pay for upkeep of popular tourism spots. At Charleston’s historic battery, the tax funded a 6-year and nearly $75 million restoration of the crumbling 100-year-old sea wall.

Short-term rentals, and how to manage them, have been a sticking point for many communities. Charleston and Folly Beach are among a handful of municipalities that have instituted regulations or caps on short-term rentals. North Charleston, another plaintiff in the case, recently considered the same.