Beaufort Hotel Project Faces Legal Challenges Amid Community Controversy

Beaufort in the Legal Spotlight: Hotel Plans Spark Controversy!

Hey there, Beaufort! Grab your popcorn because there’s a riveting legal saga unfolding right in our charming city! As of October 30, the South Carolina Court of Appeals made a couple of big decisions regarding the hotly contested hotel project spearheaded by developer Dick Stewart of Beaufort Inn LLC. This decision is turning heads and ruffling feathers among local landowners as well as history buffs in our beloved community.

The Players in the Game

To get you up to speed, we have a few key players involved in this tussle! On one side, we have Dick Stewart, who has received the green light from the Beaufort Historic Review Board for constructing a brand new hotel on Scott Street along with a parking garage near Craven Street. Sounds exciting, right? Not so fast! Enter Graham Trask from West Street, LLC and Mix Farms, LLC, along with the Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF), who are raising eyebrows and objections to Stewart’s plans.

The Legal Tug of War

This saga really kicked off in January 2022 when Circuit Judge Bentley Price turned down the appeals filed by Trask and the HBF, essentially saying ‘not so fast, friends!’ Then, our brave challengers didn’t back down. They took their fight to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.

In a surprisingly brief ruling, a three-judge panel decided to uphold the decisions made by the Historic Review Board. In their ruling, they mentioned that if arguments are presented without proper legal support, they basically don’t count! Can you say ‘Ouch’? The judges wanted the appellant (that’s Trask and HBF) to back up their claims with solid evidence. If they didn’t provide it, the court wasn’t going to waste time to go over it.

Injunction Ignored

But wait, it gets better! Trask and his team also sought what’s called an injunctive relief. That’s just a fancy way of saying they wanted the court to step in and put a stop to the approvals the city had granted to Stewart. Guess what? The judges shot that idea down too! They pointed out that similar challenges were already dealt with by a lower court and pending an appeal. So, they were not ready to jump in.

A Costly Affair

Now here’s where it gets interesting. The City of Beaufort, in an odd twist of transparency, shared that it forked out a whopping $88,135 in legal fees related to these cases. Yikes! Typically, we don’t see those numbers on display, but it gives us a peek behind the curtain of municipal dealings. The city’s press release proudly reminded residents that the court has been on their side at both the Circuit Court and Court of Appeals. So, it seems like they’re feeling quite victorious!

The Road Ahead

To add another layer to this unfolding story, there’s another legal battle brewing. Stewart is currently seeking damages in a different civil lawsuit that’s working its way through the legal maze. Details are still unfolding, and we’re left on the edge of our seats wondering when this will all wrap up!

What Happens Next?

As it stands, Trask, HBF, and their associates can still appeal to the South Carolina Supreme Court if they wish to push their agenda further. It’s clear this isn’t the last we’ll hear about this hotel controversy! With passionate locals and developers wanting to shape the future of downtown Beaufort, the story is set to continue evolving.

In the meantime, let’s keep an eye on how this plays out. Who knew our little city could pack such a punch when it comes to real estate and regulations? Stay tuned for more updates, Beaufort!