TST Funding & Our SBI Road Improvement Project

A joint letter from The Town, The Club, and SIPOA

An Open Letter to the Seabrook Island Community

Dear Residents, Property Owners, Employees, and Friends of Seabrook Island:

The leaders of the Town of Seabrook Island, the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association, and the Seabrook Island Club are united in asking for your help.

Charleston County Council is currently preparing a Transportation Sales Tax referendum that may appear on the ballot in 2026. The draft project list under consideration includes approximately $4.25 billion in funding for road, transit, bike/pedestrian, and greenbelt projects throughout the county.

Unfortunately, the draft project list does not include a single dollar for projects within the town limits of Seabrook Island.

This omission is particularly concerning given the importance—and vulnerability—of Seabrook Island Road, the only means of vehicular access to and from our community.

Low-lying segments of Seabrook Island Road regularly experience tidal flooding during high tides and storm events. When flooding occurs, access to the island can be significantly restricted or completely cut off. This creates serious risks for residents, employees, and visitors and can delay response times from police, fire and emergency medical services.

During a nor’easter in December 2023, first responders were forced to rescue occupants from vehicles stranded in floodwaters on Seabrook Island Road. The roadway became impassable, and our entire community was effectively cut off from the rest of the county until floodwaters receded.

Each day, approximately 7,700 vehicle trips travel along Seabrook Island Road. The corridor serves more than 2,100 full-time residents, 2,600 dwelling units, and thousands of visitors, while also supporting more than 2,400 businesses, contractors, and employees who rely on safe and reliable access to the island. It is also a vital gateway to destinations such as the MUSC Medical Pavilion, Bohicket Marina, Freshfields Village, St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, and numerous local employers.

For years, improving Seabrook Island Road has been identified as the Town’s highest transportation priority. The proposed Seabrook Island Road Improvement Project would elevate flood-prone segments of the roadway and improve drainage to reduce tidal flooding and improve reliability.

Importantly, this project is already well advanced in design and permitting and is expected to be shovel-ready by the time sales tax collections begin in 2027.

Simply put, this project must move forward. Reliable access to Seabrook Island is not optional—it is essential for public safety, emergency response, evacuation, and the continued vitality of our community.

If the Seabrook Island Road Improvement Project is included in the countywide transportation sales tax program, it can be funded through a revenue source Seabrook Island residents and visitors are already paying. If it is not included, the Town will need to pursue other funding options, such as bonds repaid through property taxes or other local taxes.

That outcome would be fundamentally unfair. Seabrook residents, property owners, employees, and visitors already contribute millions of dollars to the county transportation sales tax—helping finance projects throughout Charleston County. It is only reasonable that our community receive an appropriate investment in return. The Town’s request amounts to roughly one penny for every $10 in transportation sales taxes collected.

Our shared message to Charleston County is simple: Seabrook Island deserves transportation funding that is Faster, Fairer, and Safer.

  • Faster because this project is ready to move forward as soon as funding is secured.
  • Fairer because Seabrook Island residents and visitors have contributed to the transportation sales tax for decades but have not received comparable investment within the Town.
  • Safer because reliable access to the island is essential for emergency response, evacuation, and everyday travel.

We Need Your Voice!

Charleston County is currently asking the public to provide input through an online survey that will help determine which projects are included in the referendum.

We encourage every resident, property owner, employee, and visitor who cares about the future of Seabrook Island to participate.

Please take a moment to complete the county’s survey and tell County Council that our community needs Seabrook Island Road Now!

Your voice can help ensure that Seabrook Island receives the transportation investment necessary to protect public safety, strengthen our resilience to coastal flooding, and support the economic vitality of our community.

Thank you for your support and your advocacy.

Sincerely,

Bruce Kleinman
Mayor
Town of Seabrook Island

John Lassiter
President
Seabrook Island Property Owners Association

John Carpenter
President
Seabrook Island Club

Amenity Access Transition & New App Launch- 5/30/25

SIPOA is replacing facility access hardware on 6/2 and 6/3 to integrate with the Seabrook Island Club NorthStar Software. Please review the schedule below for important updates to Lake House and Oyster Catcher Pool access.

Lake House Access Schedule

  • Monday: No before/after-hours access due to the installation of new entry readers.
  • Tuesday: Before/after-hours access resumes.
  • Wednesday: Normal access resumes using your QR code.

Oyster Catcher Pool Access Schedule

  • Tuesday: Entry readers will be replaced.
  • Wednesday: Normal access resumes using your QR code.

New App Now Available: “Seabrook Island Club”

Early access to the new Northstar app is available starting today. The app is used by Property Owner Club Members and Non Club Member Property Owners. The full experience launches on Saturday, June 1st, but you can begin exploring now.

What You Can Do Today:

  • Log in and view your profile.
  • Access your personal QR code for amenity entry.
  • Get familiar with the app’s features and layouts.

How To Get the App: Search “Seabrook Island Club” in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and download the app. Login Info:

  • Username: Your Member Number (Club Members only) or POA ID # (Non Club Member Property Owners).
  • Password: Your last name in lowercase (no spaces or special characters)
    You’ll have the option to change your password after your first login.

Where to Find the App: Search for Seabrook Island Club in both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and download the app to get started!

Scan the QR codes below to be directed to the app store.

If you have questions regarding the app, please contact the Amenity Office at amenitycards@seabrookisland.com.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

Amenity Access Update- 5/23/25

SIPOA will be transitioning from physical amenity cards to a more convenient QR code system, accessible through the Northstar App. Each Property Owner will receive a unique QR code via the Northstar app, which will allow entry to SIPOA-managed facilities. For residents who do not use a digital device, a new physical access card will be available upon request to ensure a smooth transition for everyone.

We will be sharing a detailed update next week with instructions and key information to help you prepare. In the meantime, please stay informed by monitoring the SIPOA weekly eblast, Palmetto Pulse, sipoa.org, and other official communications. Seabrook Island Club (SIC) members will receive updates through SIC communication channels.

Please note: This upgrade applies only to pedestrian gate access at SIPOA facilities. It will not impact your current access through the SIPOA vehicle gates.

Thank you for your cooperation as we continue working to enhance the convenience of our community amenities.

Amenity Access Upgrade – 5/16/25

We are pleased to announce an upcoming upgrade to the access system for The Lake House and Community Center. SIPOA will be transitioning from physical amenity cards to a more convenient QR code system, accessible through the Northstar App.

Each resident will be issued a unique QR code via the app, which will allow entry to SIPOA-managed facilities. For those who do not use a digital device, a new physical access card will still be available upon request to ensure everyone can transition smoothly.

To support a seamless rollout, we will be providing additional updates in the coming weeks. Please stay informed by monitoring the SIPOA weekly eblast, Palmetto Pulse, sipoa.org, and other official communications. Seabrook Island Club (SIC) members will receive updates through SIC communication channels.

Please note: This upgrade applies only to pedestrian gate access at SIPOA facilities. It will not impact your current access through the SIPOA vehicle gates.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to enhance the security and convenience of our community amenities.

SIPOA Facility Gate Access Upgrades are Coming

Estimated Date: June 1, 2025

Watch for announcements regarding improvements to Lake House and Community Center gate access. Access to these gates will transition from Amenity Cards to QR codes.

Updates will be provided as soon as possible. Please monitor the SIPOA weekly eblast, Palmetto Pulse, sipoa.org, and other communications. Seabrook Island Club (SIC) members will also be receiving updates via SIC communications.

This upgrade is for facility gates ONLY. This will not affect your access through the SIPOA vehicle gates.