March 2017 3
KICA Updates Boardwalk Policy for High Density Areas
Over the last several months , KICA and others have been busy working to restore beach access . We know that the beach consistently ranks as the top amenity the island offers , and with the spring and summer approaching , people are anxious to see this work completed . In addition , we ’ ve received considerable feedback from the community on the policies that guide our decisions with respect to the types of boardwalks we build , particularly as it relates to stairs vs . ramps . As a result , we ’ ve revised our policy to designate high density areas as locations where exceptions may be made to accommodate ramps .
Due to Hurricane Matthew , KICA received damage to 23 of its 25 boardwalks . Our general maintenance team was able to get some of these boardwalks re-opened with minor repairs . The timeline for boardwalks requiring extensive repairs is somewhat longer , though all involved have been extremely cooperative in order to expedite this important work . KICA uses a consulting structural engineer to ensure what we build is safe and will withstand many years of “ normal ” wear and tear . Once that work is complete , it then goes through the approval process with the Architectural Review Board ( ARB ) and the Town of Kiawah Island ( TOKI ), which ensures its ordinances are followed , as well as the regulations imposed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control ’ s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management ( SC DHECC-OCRM ).
Current Status We initially placed the priority on boardwalks in the area of Eugenia Avenue to Windswept , as this was an area where KICA had no open boardwalks .
• At time of publication , KICA has completed construction on boardwalks 8A , 9 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 and 16 .
• KICA has received approvals on 7 , 10 , 29 , 31 and 33 and is proceeding to contract shortly .
• Other association boardwalks remain in design .
KICA has been and will continue to send weekly updates on its boardwalk repairs in the email news updates sent to members each week ( if you are not signed up to receive these updates but would like to be , contact communications @ kica . us ).
Policies and Regulations In building the beach boardwalks , KICA adheres to design regulations specified by the ARB , TOKI and SC DHEC- OCRM . To comply with these regulations , boardwalks must meet the beach perpendicular to the shore and within 10 feet of the primary dune . In the five years preceding the storm , we had rebuilt 22 of our boardwalks ( approx . $ 1 Million ) and were fortunate that significant accretion of the beach resulted in a dune profile suitable for ramps in most locations . Unfortunately , those dunes are gone - along with the bulk of the previous five years ’ investment . This has necessitated the use of steps as a repair solution in many locations .
We are not permitted , under normal regulations , to run a boardwalk parallel to the shore and dune line , and must seek an exception for this type of construction . Our preference is to build shore perpendicular ramps where the dune profile accommodates this type of design ; however , Hurricane Matthew has caused us to consider new guidelines that provide an objective way to determine where exceptions should be considered . One of those new guidelines considers the density of property located near a boardwalk . Areas where larger than average numbers of KICA member properties are concentrated in close proximity will be given extra consideration for ramps . This will result is our applying for ramps at boardwalks 8B , 22 and 27 . These are high density areas and we believe exceptions are warranted .
For more information and updates on boardwalk construction , as well as a map of the high-density boardwalks that are receiving ramps , visit kica . us / boardwalks .
Digest Contributors Frances Boyd - Member Volunteer Virginia Chapel - Member Volunteer Bill Hindman - Member Volunteer Shauneen Hutchinson - Member Volunteer Sue Schaffer - Feature reporter Deb Stewart - Member Volunteer
Staff Production Team Doug Reynolds - Communications / Editor Tammy McAdory - Executive Director
Digest Mission Statement Kiawah Island Digest is an official communications tool of the Kiawah Island Community Association . Its mission is to accurately and effectively communicate information to the membership in a balanced and constructive manner .
Statement of Editorial Policy KICA will endeavor to report significant island news as well as informational topics , programs and events of interest to its members . KICA may from time to time publish editorials in support of its strategic objectives . Member suggestions on content should be submitted by email to communications @ kica . us