AC Repair in Isle of Palms, SC

ISLE OF PALMS — A judge reaffirmed the Department of Environmental Services' authority over state beaches and denied a request for summary judgment in the Isle of Palms seawall case.

The April 28 order from Administrative Law Court Chief Judge Ralph Anderson sets the stage for a trial to begin next week in Columbia where attorneys for Isle of Palms homeowners Rom and Renee Reddy will argue that the ocean-facing retaining wall they built was not constructed in the critical area of the beach, a section of the shoreline where development and construction is limited.

Whether the state's definition of the "critical area" is unconstitutionally vague will also be up for debate.

Over a year has passed since the case was filed by DES against the homeowners. In that time, the administrative law court allowed the Coastal Conservation League to intervene in the case. It also has given Reddy time to launch DOGE SC, a political action committee that advocates in reducing state agencies by half.

Attorneys for the Reddys filed a motion for summary judgment in March, asking the court to rule in favor of the homeowners and invalidate the state environmental agency's previous administrative orders against them, including a $289,000 civil penalty.

The environmental department asserts that the wall behind the Reddys' beachfront home near Breach Inlet was built within the critical area of the beach and ignored a handful of stop-work orders from the agency.

If granted, the summary judgment would have bypassed the need for a trial and render DES enforcement actions, like the fines and orders to remove the wall from the beach, invalid.

Judge Anderson declined to offer a summary judgment, instead reaffirming the department's authority over the state's beaches, including the power to issue permits for building in the critical area.

"Because the Department is the only state agency authorized to permit or deny alterations or utilizations within critical areas, it undeniably has jurisdiction over the Beach Critical Area," Anderson wrote in his order.

Hearings for the case are set to begin May 6.

Rom Reddy, in a written statement to The Post and Courier, said the denial for summary judgment was "no surprise," and that he fully expects Anderson to rule against him at trial.

"Article 1 of the SC constitution says I should 'enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury' not a trial by a judge who is part of the unelected agency state that accused and convicted me of wrongdoing with no due process," Reddy said.

The homeowners maintain that the wall is outside the state's jurisdiction, and the litigation amounts to an unlawful taking of property.

"This is not justice but tyranny. Ultimately, this is a question of whether a government can confiscate a private citizen's land in the name of environmental protection with no compensation," Reddy said.

Leslie Lenhardt, an attorney for the South Carolina Environmental Law Project, said the Coastal Conservation League is pleased with the order. The law project is representing the conservation league in the case.

"Mr. and Mrs. Reddy were setting forth an argument that (environmental regulators) didn't have any authority to regulate or prohibit such a hard erosion control structure on the beach, on the public beach, and Judge Anderson very summarily rejected that argument," Lenhardt said. "While there are questions that remain, this is just a real positive move in the right direction."

DES representatives declined to comment on the order due to the ongoing litigation.

Reach Anna Sharpe at 843-806-6790.

A collaborative push to address flood-prone areas of Isle of Palms and beach erosion on the back side of the island has seen SeamonWhiteside (SW+) pour their energies into recommending effective resilience measures.

On the heels of offering a final presentation of their sea level rise strategy at the March Isle of Palms City Council meeting, SW+ reps Ryne Phillips and Colleen Williams have identified a key factor causing coastal erosion — septic systems.

These residential wastewater treatment and disposal mechanisms that are not connected to a public sewer system occupy most of the lowest areas on the island. It's in these parts, said Phillips, where much of the flooding and tidal inundation happens.

"You've got to get rid of septic systems so that they don't overflow and [bring] sewage. It's not just the flooding, it's a water quality public health issue," stated Phillips who serves as the SW+ Water Resources Team Leader.

The architecture and civil engineering firm is currently interfacing with the Isle of Palms Water & Sewer Commission in securing federal funding to get the island off septic systems and linked to a sewer network.

In addition to septic systems, recounted Williams, the City is working off its 2023 Master Plan focusing on drainage improvements. The plan features a multi-use path elevation project on Waterway Boulevard, as the City is in the process of acquiring a release from each abutting homeowner prior to breaking ground.

"So, what we tried to recommend were improvements that supported these ongoing efforts. So — three categories: programs, policies and projects. We talked about every new development be tapped into a sewer line, and not a septic field," Williams continued.

The SW+ Land Planner went on to detail green infrastructure solutions in terms of advising the City to require increased tree canopy to stabilize the soil and create pervious surfaces. In addition, Williams and her colleagues have recommended living shorelines, rain gardens and private incentive programs, all in the pursuit of dissipating flood water in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

SW+'s blueprint — formally adopted by City Council in March — projects what the firm "absolutely needs to happen" by 2040 in order to line up their stormwater infrastructure solutions by 2050.

Activities in progress to mitigate erosion include the constant replacement of lost sand spearheaded by Steven Traynum of Coastal Science & Engineering (CSE).

On that front, CSE is working alongside the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to renourish the beach, particularly along Breach Inlet.

"The USACE is currently placing sand along the south end of the island as part of a beneficial use project to improve navigation of the intracoastal waterway," said Traynum in a email to the Moultrie News.

"They plan to place 550,000 cy (cubic yards) of sand over the course of several months, with most of the material being placed along the mid to low-tide beach. The project is likely to continue through most of the summer. The City has secured another contractor to redistribute some of this material into a restored dune between Breach Inlet and 10th Avenue. That work is ongoing and will likely be completed in early May."

One issue with that, Phillips noted, is the Army Corp's unique requirements for contractors to redistribute their sand. Those specifications from the federal agency have driven up prices for contractors "astronomically," according to Phillips.

"If you want to live on the beach, on the salt, on the Isle of Palms, where it erodes, they're going to invest millions and billions," reported Phillips. "The sea level rise, on the backside of the island and the marsh ... I think the real solution is preventing that tidewater from coming inland through pipes."

The Clemson grad went one step further in arguing in favor of prohibiting people to build in low-lying areas or, at the very least, require them fortify and elevate before construction.

On that note, Phillips credited the City for its earnest attempts to elevate, enhance land mass and preventing water from penetrating the island's interior.

"But you can't protect one little point, right? Like if there's one crack in the wall, the wall fails as a whole. And that's with most coastal cities, not just Isle of Palms," he explained. "We just randomly keep putting our finger on the cracks and more cracks keep forming."

Both Phillips and Williams suggested that the continued implementation of new gray infrastructure (roads, buildings, pipes) and green infrastructure will be instrumental in handling high tides.

Or more specifically, as Phillips observed, their mission will demand a balancing act of using traditional pipes to remove tidal water and green infrastructure (rain gardens, bioswales, etc.) to keep water from pooling and ponding along local roads.

Added Williams: "If we can reestablish some marsh on the backside of the island that helps prevent erosions, that helps slow down the influx of water."

To view SW+'s Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan, visit https://www.iop.net/sea-level-rise-adaptation-plan.

#SeaLevelRiseAdaptationPlan #IsleofPalms #BeachErosion #FloodingSouthCarolina #SeamonWhiteside #RynePhillips #ColleenWilliams #StevenTraynum #USArmyCorpsofEngineers #USACE #CoastalScienceandEngineering

ISLE OF PALMS — City officials are rethinking some recent changes to parking rules as it heads into the first beach season with higher prices, namely the elimination of a seasonal parking pass that was popular with beachgoers of neighboring communities.

But the decision to ditch the seasonal permit has been largely unpopular with off-island residents, prompting the city's public safety committee to reconsider the change on April 9, so the pass may not be gone for good.

The Isle of Palms, up until this summer, set aside 500 seasonal beach parking passes that could be purchased for $60. Passholders had access to the two parking lots on Pavilion Drive, bypassing the $10-$15 a day charge in the summer months.

However, City Council voted earlier this year to change the city's parking rules and rates for the first time since 2020, which effectively eliminated the seasonal pass. Other notable changes included adding higher daily fees for the parking lot— up to $25 on weekends and holidays — and raising the hourly fee to $3 for on-street parking, a 50-cent bump.

Jean Legacki, who lives just over the Isle of Palms connector in Mount Pleasant, has purchased the seasonal parking pass for several years. She likes to get up early, head over the connector, and walk on the beach before both the heat and the crowds set in.

This summer will be different for Legacki.

Along with raising parking fees, the city opted to eliminate the seasonal $60 pass for non-residents based on a recommendation by PCI Municipal, the city's parking management vendor. The $60 passes were set aside for island employees to use.

In its place, a weekly pass for the same lots is available for $100.

The loss of seasonal passes and the increased price left some with sticker shock.

"I'm not going to pay $100 a week to park," Legacki said. "It's almost like they're trying to deter people from coming to the beach."

Also gone is the option to pay an hourly rate after 4 p.m. in the lots. Visitors coming to the island for a dinner reservation or an evening stroll on the beach could park at the lots on Pavilion Drive and pay $2.50 per hour after 4 p.m.

Parking is free between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. and in the offseason, November through February.

For now, visitors will pay the flat rate regardless of the time of day.

Daily rates are $10 for March and April. During peak season, Memorial Day through Labor Day, rates are $15 on weekdays and $25 on weekends and holidays. After Labor Day, rates drop back to $10 for the rest of September and October.

But that could be subject to change in the coming months.

The public safety committee on April 9 considered reviving both the seasonal parking permit and evening hourly parking rates, though both are still likely to be more expensive in their new iterations.

"We'd be looking at a significantly higher number, I would think, for the lots that we have here at Front Beach," Councilman Rusty Streetman said.

Committee members estimated that the updated seasonal pass would be between $200-$250 and $3 per hour for evening parking.

They also noted Charleston County offers a seasonal pass for parking in the Isle of Palms County Park on 14th Avenue.

"I think we're doing this to benefit our business people in the late afternoon and evening. We want to encourage people to come to Front Beach at that time," Councilwoman Jan Anderson said.

The full city council is expected to discuss bringing back the seasonal passes at next month's workshop in May.

Many of those visiting Charleston know that downtown is a hot spot for restaurants, but where should folks visiting one of the local beaches eat? From barbecue to noodle bowls, these island eateries can offer a wealth of choices for the hungry wave jumper or sunbather.

New to the map: Acme Lowcountry Kitchen. Restaurants are listed geographically, from west to east.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Before a day at Folly Beach, frequent visitors know to hit up Lost Dog for brunch. The cafe has something for everyone on the menu, from huevos rancheros to fresh fruit parfaits. Relax with a mimosa before hitting the waves and sand.

Full of surfers and deal-seekers, Folly Beach stop Jack of Cups offers filling curry mac ‘n cheese, dahl, and Thai meatballs. The menu is a mash-up of different cuisines from across the globe, including nods to the South, which is always good while sipping a few craft beers.

Self-proclaimed “chill ass bar,” Lowlife offers expertly crafted cocktails, queso, local shrimp rolls, double cheeseburgers, and more in a hip and lively beach space. Lowlife also serves brunch every day of the week, so it’s like a vacation within a vacation.

A visit to Taco Boy is all about the experience. The interiors are lively and full of fun details. It offers a long list of tacos with unexpected fillings, like the Korean beef tacos stuffed with kimchi and grilled flank steak or the sauteed shrimp tacos come with ancho chile yogurt sauce and cabbage. On a nice day, enjoy the patio with a few friends and a frozen screwdriver to go with the other selections.

Spanish for "the ugly boy," Chico Feo makes for a super chill stop after a day on the beach. The eatery feels like visiting a friend’s backyard. The menu is a mix-up of warm weather favorites from across the globe, like Cuban beans and rice, bun cha, and plenty of tacos.

Bert’s Market isn’t a restaurant, but it is an icon on Folly Beach. The 24-hour corner store is well known as stop for made-to-order sandwiches and just about everything else you need for a day at the beach. Bert’s puts it best: “Patronized by freaks, surfers, skaters, crunks, retirees, tourists, stoners, day trippers, hippies, hipsters, and regular folk, Bert’s is the rockingest grocery in town.”

Dining at Sullivan’s Fish Camp is like stepping onto a sailboat out of the 1970s. The retro-chic restaurant is one of the stylish on the island. Recently, former Lowland chef Jason Stanhope took over the kitchen to overhaul the menu. He’s planning a slow transition to get back to the roots of a Lowcountry fish camp. Current offerings include lobster roll sliders, local crudo, shrimp fried rice, and more.

Diners can eat pizza, pasta, and fresh seafood just a few steps from the ocean. From the skilled hands of executive chef Jacques Larson, the Obstinate Daughter offers a stunning dining room to spend visit for lunch, brunch, or dinner. Visitors should order a craft cocktail, a few oysters, and try the ricotta gnocchi with short rib ragu at least once.

Home Team BBQ on Sullivan's Island is always packed with friends and families ordering pulled pork plates and catching a game on the televisions. The smoked wings with Alabama white sauce are addictive, as are the frozen boozy Gamechanger cocktails.

Cozy bistro High Thyme offers a more upscale experience than most beach-goers expect. Guests visit this Middle Street restaurant for celebratory dinners and Sunday morning brunches. Find dishes like mussels in a coconut chili broth, cioppino, three-meat bolognese lasagna, lamb meatballs, and more comforting dishes.

Using only sustainable seafood, Acme Lowcountry Kitchen offers a taste of the East Coast. Where the kitchen really shines is the extensive shrimp and grits offerings — choose from plates like jerk shrimp with peaches and cream grits and pineapple salsa or more traditional sauteed shrimp, with tasso ham, peppers, onions, and red eye gravy.

Contemporary Italian eatery Coda del Pesce sits right on the beach at Isle of Palms. Customers can watch the ocean while ordering from chef Ken Vedrinski’s seafood-filled menu. Make reservations early for dishes like the snowy grouper with peanut potatoes, grapes, and Castelvetrano olives.

Before a day at Folly Beach, frequent visitors know to hit up Lost Dog for brunch. The cafe has something for everyone on the menu, from huevos rancheros to fresh fruit parfaits. Relax with a mimosa before hitting the waves and sand.

Full of surfers and deal-seekers, Folly Beach stop Jack of Cups offers filling curry mac ‘n cheese, dahl, and Thai meatballs. The menu is a mash-up of different cuisines from across the globe, including nods to the South, which is always good while sipping a few craft beers.

Self-proclaimed “chill ass bar,” Lowlife offers expertly crafted cocktails, queso, local shrimp rolls, double cheeseburgers, and more in a hip and lively beach space. Lowlife also serves brunch every day of the week, so it’s like a vacation within a vacation.

A visit to Taco Boy is all about the experience. The interiors are lively and full of fun details. It offers a long list of tacos with unexpected fillings, like the Korean beef tacos stuffed with kimchi and grilled flank steak or the sauteed shrimp tacos come with ancho chile yogurt sauce and cabbage. On a nice day, enjoy the patio with a few friends and a frozen screwdriver to go with the other selections.

Spanish for "the ugly boy," Chico Feo makes for a super chill stop after a day on the beach. The eatery feels like visiting a friend’s backyard. The menu is a mix-up of warm weather favorites from across the globe, like Cuban beans and rice, bun cha, and plenty of tacos.

Bert’s Market isn’t a restaurant, but it is an icon on Folly Beach. The 24-hour corner store is well known as stop for made-to-order sandwiches and just about everything else you need for a day at the beach. Bert’s puts it best: “Patronized by freaks, surfers, skaters, crunks, retirees, tourists, stoners, day trippers, hippies, hipsters, and regular folk, Bert’s is the rockingest grocery in town.”

Dining at Sullivan’s Fish Camp is like stepping onto a sailboat out of the 1970s. The retro-chic restaurant is one of the stylish on the island. Recently, former Lowland chef Jason Stanhope took over the kitchen to overhaul the menu. He’s planning a slow transition to get back to the roots of a Lowcountry fish camp. Current offerings include lobster roll sliders, local crudo, shrimp fried rice, and more.

Diners can eat pizza, pasta, and fresh seafood just a few steps from the ocean. From the skilled hands of executive chef Jacques Larson, the Obstinate Daughter offers a stunning dining room to spend visit for lunch, brunch, or dinner. Visitors should order a craft cocktail, a few oysters, and try the ricotta gnocchi with short rib ragu at least once.

Home Team BBQ on Sullivan's Island is always packed with friends and families ordering pulled pork plates and catching a game on the televisions. The smoked wings with Alabama white sauce are addictive, as are the frozen boozy Gamechanger cocktails.

Cozy bistro High Thyme offers a more upscale experience than most beach-goers expect. Guests visit this Middle Street restaurant for celebratory dinners and Sunday morning brunches. Find dishes like mussels in a coconut chili broth, cioppino, three-meat bolognese lasagna, lamb meatballs, and more comforting dishes.

Using only sustainable seafood, Acme Lowcountry Kitchen offers a taste of the East Coast. Where the kitchen really shines is the extensive shrimp and grits offerings — choose from plates like jerk shrimp with peaches and cream grits and pineapple salsa or more traditional sauteed shrimp, with tasso ham, peppers, onions, and red eye gravy.

Contemporary Italian eatery Coda del Pesce sits right on the beach at Isle of Palms. Customers can watch the ocean while ordering from chef Ken Vedrinski’s seafood-filled menu. Make reservations early for dishes like the snowy grouper with peanut potatoes, grapes, and Castelvetrano olives.

An Isle of Palms homeowner will argue before a judge this week that the state's challenge to the retaining wall built behind his oceanfront home is null and void.

The hearings for the case that has pitted Isle of Palms property owners Rom and Renee Reddy against the Department of Environmental Services will begin on May 6 in the state Administrative Law Court in Columbia, and are expected to last until May 8.

A clerk confirmed on May 5 that the hearings would be held the morning of May 6, despite a motion filed by the Reddys on April 30 asking for a 90-day continuance.

Reddy recently fired his team of lawyers from firm Williams Mullen. The termination came shortly after ALC Chief Justice Ralph Anderson denied the Reddys' motion for summary judgment on April 24, which would have bypassed the need for trial.

This is the second team of lawyers Reddy has fired. He parted ways with his original counsel from Finkel Law Firm in July 2024.

In the order, Anderson reaffirmed the state's authority to manage South Carolina beaches, including the power to issue permits for building in the critical area, a section of the shoreline where development and construction is limited.

In an email to Anderson on April 29, Reddy attributed the termination to an irreconcilable fee dispute. He filed a motion for a 90-day continuance, a delay to give him time to hire more lawyers. Reddy noted that no attorneys were willing to take up the case without at least three months to prepare for trial.

If the request was denied, the homeowner and founder of SC DOGE said he would appear and represent himself.

Opening statements are set to begin as scheduled on May 6.

DES filed a petition for injunctive relief in the Administrative Law Court in February 2024 after the state agency became aware of the ocean-facing wall behind the Reddys' home on the Isle of Palms. The state fined the homeowners $289,000 for the wall, which they say is an unauthorized structure in the protected area of the beach.

The Reddys' have fought against the state's claims, arguing that the definition of "critical area" is too vague, and questioned the constitutionality of the term. Reddy has characterized the legal proceedings as "tyranny."

"Ultimately, this is a question of whether a government can confiscate a private citizen's land in the name of environmental protection with no compensation," Reddy said in an April statement to The Post and Courier.

DES, joined by the Coastal Conservation League, will argue to uphold the state's jurisdiction over the beaches. They are also seeking to have the wall removed and the beach restored to its original state.