Boards & Commissions
Accommodation Tax Advisory Committee (ATAX)
The Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee reviews Accommodations Tax Grant Applications to make recommendations to the Mayor and Council for the expenditure of Accommodations Tax Funds. This is in accordance to Article 6 S.C. Code, Title 12, Chapter 35, known as the Accommodations Tax Act.
The Grant Applications for funding are due by the last day of each quarter. The Committee meetings are set within 45 days after the quarter end and the committee recommendations are presented at the next Bluffton Town Council meeting.
Members are appointed for 2 & 3 year terms. There are 7 committee members, the majority from the hospitality industry, including 2 from the lodging industry and at least one from Cultural Organizations.
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
For structures within the Historic Preservation Overlay District (HPOD), the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) shall review and approve, approve with conditions, or deny petitions for: alteration of building exteriors; additions of accessory structures; demolition of structures; and new construction.
In passing upon an application to demolish or demolish in part, or remove, or alter the exterior architectural appearance of any existing structure, the HPC shall consider, among other things, the historic, architectural, and aesthetic features of such structure, the nature and character of the surrounding area, the use of such structure, and its importance to the Town.
In passing upon an application for new construction in the HPOD, the HPC shall consider, among other things, the general design, the character and appropriateness of design, scale of buildings, arrangement, texture, materials, and color of the structure in question, and the relation of such elements to similar features of structures in the immediate surroundings.
The HPC shall not consider the interior arrangement or interior design; nor shall it make requirements except for the purpose of preventing developments which are not in harmony with the prevailing character of the HPOD or which are obviously incongruous with this character.
The HPC may refuse to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the erection, reconstruction, alteration, demolition, partial demolition, or removal of any structure within the HPOD, which in the opinion of the HPC would be detrimental to the interests of the Town.
The HPC shall utilize the Bluffton Preservation Manual as design guidelines for structures within the HPOD.
The Historic Preservation Commission, composed of seven (7) members, meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm at Town Hall, unless otherwise posted.
Municipal Election Commission
The function of the Municipal Election Commission is to certify election results and hear protests. To be eligible, an individual must be a resident of the Town of Bluffton and a Beaufort County registered voter and maintain that status throughout the appointment. Commission members will serve a six-year staggered term and participate in mandatory training required by the SC State Election Commission.
Planning Commission
The Town of Bluffton Planning Commission (PC) has a duty to engage in a continuing planning program for the physical, social, and economic growth, development, and redevelopment area within the Town.
The Planning Commission prepares and periodically revises the Town of Bluffton Comprehensive Plan, as well as all Development Plans not associated with a Master Plan and programs for the Town and all implementation measures required to carry out the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, including: zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and an official map.
The PC may prepare and recommend revised zoning ordinances or amendments to the Ordinance to Town Council and review and make recommendations concerning amendments to the Town of Bluffton Zoning Ordinance.
The PC administers land development regulations and landscaping, highway corridor overlay, and other similar regulations, as applicable under the Town of Bluffton Zoning & Development Standards Ordinances.
The Planning Commission, composed of seven (7) members, meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm at Town Hall, unless otherwise posted.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Town of Bluffton Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) reviews variance and special exception applications.
A variance allows for alleviations of an "unnecessary hardship", which typically refers to hardship inherent in the physical characteristics of the land. Special exceptions are those uses in the zoning ordinance allowed in specific zoning districts after a special review.
The list of allowed special exception uses is generally contained in the zoning ordinance under each zone classification to which it applies.
The Zoning Board of Appeals, composed of five (5) members, meets the second Tuesday of each month at Town Hall, unless otherwise posted.