Mattress storein Folly Beach, SC

For folks who really love Folly Beach, Feb. 8 can’t get here soon enough.

One way or another, it’ll be over by then.

You see, on Feb. 7 Folly residents vote in a referendum, prompted by a citizens’ petition, to limit short-term rentals. Because City Council couldn’t do it — or wouldn’t.

Investors are driving home prices out of reach for even wealthy families, and as such, Folly is becoming an island of transients.

A lot of places are going through the same thing — Isle of Palms is struggling with this as we speak. But the old-timers aren’t being hyperbolic when they say this really is a battle for the soul of Folly Beach.

There are 1,125 homes on the island licensed as rental properties — and that accounts for 43% of Folly Beach residences. It’s hard to be a community when nearly half your population turns over weekly.

The ballot question, if approved, would limit those licenses to 800. That’s still a lot, but it’s a compromise — about the best anyone can hope for. Because, truth is, rental houses have been part of Folly’s fabric for decades.

The fight has gotten nasty, turning neighbor against neighbor. Opponents say a short-term rental limit would prevent residents from passing down property to their heirs. Which isn’t true — they simply couldn’t pass down a license.

They say it will deter sales, as some people must rent out their second homes to afford them. Well, they could rent ’em out — they’d just have to get in line for a license. Which is a first-world problem if there ever was one.

Opponents say this would make island property worth less, which may be true ... to a point. It could mean the difference between a Folly house selling to some James Island couple for $950,000 or a Boston hedge fund for $1.1 million.

A family that wants to retire to the beach would always be outbid by multinational hedge fund investors.

These opponents claim this would take away people’s property rights, and that’s dangerous. You know how some folks get these days when you invoke “freedom.”

Anyway, it’s all baloney.

The government has always limited a homeowner’s “freedom.” But as importantly, it limits your neighbors’. It’s called zoning. How many of these folks fighting for their constitutional right to an Airbnb would keep quiet if someone opened a junkyard next door? How about a petting zoo?

Which, incidentally, is sort of what short-term rentals sometimes turn into.

Everyone should care about this. Although Folly is its own city, it’s always been part of Charleston — as important as The Battery or Marion Square. Generations of Lowcountry folk grew up surfing the Washout, shagging on the pier and throwing back cold ones at the Sand Dollar … or on the sand.

Back when that was legal.

Time was you couldn’t walk into Bert’s Market without seeing somebody you knew. Folly is where people went to relax, wade through the surf or lounge on the beach late Saturday afternoons, when the sky is golden and the ocean turns the most amazing shade of blue.

Unfortunately, a lot of us don’t go anymore. Too crowded, too many tourists, the traffic on Folly Road untenable. Everything changes, that’s a fact. But we don’t have to help it along — 43% rental property. Good grief.

Some old-timers are hopeful. The petition was signed by nearly 500 Folly voters — read: full-time residents — and it’s rare that more than 800 vote in any island election. And some of the opponents can’t vote because, well, they don’t really live there.

Even if the limit passes, the pressure won’t stop. Already, some state lawmakers — the same ones who grouse about the tyranny of the federal government — want to strip local communities of their right to regulate short-term rentals.

Talk about taking away freedom.

And short-term rentals were here to stay even before the pandemic made telecommuting a thing. Our real estate prices, high as they are, still look like a bargain to folks from New York or Connecticut. So it goes.

This happens in nearly every place that’s beautiful — people love it to death. But the old-timers are fighting, and it’s a fight worth having.

Because this is ultimately about whether Folly Beach is going to remain the Edge of America, or become just another piece of corporate America.

We’ll know by Feb. 8.

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The spirited island hamlet south of Charleston shakes off mainland sophistication in favor of flip-flops and cash-only dive bars.

It's only twelve miles south of Charleston's historic homes and manicured window boxes, but the salty little town of Folly Beach ditches the Holy City's refinement in favor of an easygoing, barefoot sensibility that feels a bit more California than Carolina. Known to locals as the Edge of America, Folly is everything a beach town should be. Surf shops line the main drag; cover-ups count as appropriate lunch attire; and nobody takes themselves too seriously (they drop a pair of LED-lit flip flops to celebrate New Year's Eve). Here's where to stay, eat, and play in South Carolina's super chill surf town.

Every single room at The Tides Hotel comes with an ocean view. Perched at the end of Center Street, the town's main thoroughfare, the hotel is steps from both the beach and an array of local shops and eateries. For families looking to stretch out a bit more, there are a boatload of rentals to choose from: Opt for ocean-front properties that will sleep a crowd or cozy cottages with marsh and Folly River views. And for people who wouldn't dream of traveling without their four-legged companions, there are plenty of pet-friendly rentals too.

You won't go hungry on this island. Lost Dog Café is a local staple, serving coffee and all-day breakfast; don't miss the eggs Benedict, which they top with fried green tomatoes. Fish tacos, Vietnamese-inspired lettuce wraps, and Cuban sandwiches all have a place on the colorful menu at Chico Feo, where the vibe is equally colorful. Don't let the easygoing atmosphere fool you: Rita's Seaside Grille is serious about their food … and their cocktails. Try one of their Signature Crushes, fruity sippers with flavored liquors that pack a punch. End the night at Sand Dollar Social Club, a dive bar where you're invited to come as you are, so long as you're a member; membership costs $1, and bring your cash (you won't find a credit card machine here).

The island's six miles of beachfront are its main attraction, and it'd be easy to while away a week with no plans beyond putting your toes in the sand. But for those looking to build an action-packed itinerary, there are plenty of activities that highlight the destination's natural beauty: Book a guided kayak or standup paddleboard tour to explore the tidal creeks; stop by McKevlin's Surf Shop, South Carolina's oldest surfing outfitter, before catching some of the area's best waves at The Washout; and plan to make a return trip with your fishing poles to Folly in spring of 2023, when the beloved pier is set to reopen after extensive renovations.

FOLLY BEACH — In a referendum locals viewed as a battle for the future of this barrier island, Folly Beach residents narrowly voted to limit the number of short-term rentals that can operate on one of Charleston’s most popular beach communities.

The vote for tighter restrictions is expected to slowly shrink the number of short-term rentals that can operate here.

“It looks like the citizens want to have a year-round community, not just a weekly community,” Mayor Tim Goodwin said after the results were in.

A narrow majority of voters, 53 percent, said “yes” to the only question posed by the Feb. 7 referendum. The results will be certified on Feb. 9.

Island residents were asked to decide whether short-term rental licenses on Folly Beach should be capped at 800.

According to unofficial returns from the Charleston County Board of Elections, just 77 votes separated the results.

Some 655 of the island’s registered voters agreed with the restrictions, compared to 578 who did not want to see the limit imposed.

At the heart of the one-question issue was a central concern shared by many Charleston-area beach communities: How do communities balance all that comes with being a tourist destination while still preserving what makes a place special?

Tuesday’s vote adds a fresh layer of local oversight but the impact of the decision could take years to materialize. Goodwin and city staff estimate it could take about three years for Folly Beach to drop down to that 800-mark.

Property owners have had to apply for short-term rental licenses since 2018. Currently, there are more than 1,100 active licenses on the barrier island, which accounts for some 40 percent of the island’s properties.

Under the proposed ordinance, owners with short-term rental licenses may continue to operate and keep their licenses until there’s a transfer to a new owner or family member. No new short-term licenses would be granted until the number of active permits falls below 800 — a figure based on the number of pre-pandemic licenses in 2020.

A waiting list would be established for future permits, but there are a lot of unanswered questions about further specifics or effects the limit would have.

Katherine Meader, who is one of those owners, voted “no” to the cap. As a mother of five, she said her vote was about protecting the future of her five children.

“They’re the ones who are going to carry it on. I just want them to be able to do the same thing that their mom has done without having to get in line behind someone who may have moved here a year ago,” she said. “I don’t want my kids to have to get back in line to apply for a license that might already be at its cap.”

Others saw short-term rentals and the flow of transient guests staying in them as a threat to the established community and its longtime residents who don’t want new neighbors every week.

Two advocate groups were especially vocal about the vote: Save Folly’s Future, which was pushing for the cap; and Folly United, which opposed the cap proposal.

Neither leader of the rival vote efforts could cast a ballot because they do not live on Folly Beach, but pro-cap John McFarland sat outside the polling place from 11 a.m. until polls closed at 7 p.m.

For Colleen Lamar, the vote “yes” was about preserving a place she loves.

“This will be my home until they carry me out in a box,” she said.

The referendum, at times, pitted neighbor against neighbor, with dueling yard signs along residential streets.

Folly is the latest beach community to make a decision about how to handle short-term rentals. Sullivan’s Island banned short-term rentals more than two decades ago. Isle of Palms could be next. On Feb. 6, the eve of the Folly Beach vote, a roomful of people attended a special workshop hosted by Isle of Palms City Council on short-term rentals.

A months-long discussion came to an end Tuesday night as voters decided on the fate of short-term rentals on Folly Beach.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - A months-long discussion came to an end Tuesday night as voters decided on the fate of short-term rentals on Folly Beach.

Just 78 votes ended up separating the debate of the number of short-term rental licenses allowed on Folly Beach. The final vote rang Tuesday night after lines at the polls began at 7 a.m. officially capping the number of rentals, like condos and Airbnbs, to 800 across the island.

There were more than 1,200 people that voted, which is about half of the number of registered voters on the island.

“This is probably the most people I’ve ever seen vote, even in a presidential election, that I can remember,” Goodwin said.

This special citizen vote tallies 655 voters for the cap on short-term rentals and 577 against it.

This issue stems back to October when a citizen petition to cap the number of short-term rentals came to city council, which was then put up to a citizen vote.

Ann Peets, who supports the cap, says she doesn’t want the permanent residents leaving because of disruptive renters.

“It’s a very tight-knit community and we feel like if people keep leaving that’s going to be lost,” Peets said.

Those against the cap on rentals, like Elton Culpepper, says he doesn’t want his kids to not have a rental option on inherited property.

“I feel like the property value will go down and they should be able to short term rental it,” Culpepper said.

Bill Murschel says he’s been renting on the island for over 25 years. Although he could not vote, he says he worries how this would affect his vacations.

“I don’t want to be priced out of the market,” Murschel said. “I want to have plenty of choices when I contact a local real estate office and pick my place.”

Mayor Goodwin says he signed the original petition and voted for the STR cap.

“We know they bring in tax dollars,” Goodwin said. “We never want to see short term rentals go away totally. It’s just where do you want your city to be in reference to a community versus businesses.”

He was asked if he thinks this will have any effect on people investing on Folly Beach in the future.

“I don’t think so,” Goodwin said. “You know, before this got started, like I said, the number was 800. That didn’t stop people from buying and selling out here... Nobody’s going to be totally happy with the vote. So, now it’s just a matter of the community coming back together and healing and let’s get on with the rest of the world.”

Goodwin says it will take several years for the number of current STRs to dwindle down to 800 from either people selling their property or no longer renewing their licenses. He says there’s currently around 1,200 on the island.

The vote will be certified on Thursday and will immediately take effect.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - The new, reconstructed pier on Folly Beach opened to the public Monday, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission officials say.

The pier was closed to the public on Oct. 19, 2020 for a complete rebuilding project that was expected to take approximately 28 months, but the work was finished ahead of schedule, CCPRC spokesperson Sarah Reynolds said.

“We are thrilled to be opening the new Folly Beach Pier just in time for the holidays,” CCPRC executive director Kevin Bowie said. “The Folly Beach Pier is a Lowcountry icon and we look forward to welcoming our community and visitors for generations to come.”

Most of the new 1,049-foot-long Folly Beach Pier is 25 feet wide, with a wooden walkway and railings built on concrete pilings and substructure. Two locations of the pier were slightly widened and covered, at 33 feet wide, allowing additional space for fishing.

The pier stands 22 feet above sea level on 228 concrete pilings. The Diamond Head platform at the end of the pier is 7,500 square feet in size and the pier includes shade structures and benches.

In the event of a large storm, wooden walkway panels are designed to break away.

The new pier offers unobstructed ocean views, more efficient pedestrian access and modern improvements.

The newly rebuilt pier also boasts a longer lifespan, expected to be more than 65 years, than most wooden piers.

Pier operating hours are currently 8 a.m. to sunset (operating hours vary throughout the year).

Amenities at the Folly Beach Pier include restrooms, the Pier 101 Restaurant and Bar, beach access, showers, and the Gangplank Gift & Tackle Shop which offers rod rentals and also sells gifts, sundry items, refreshments and tackle and bait.

The pier’s special events are scheduled to return in 2023, including the popular fishing tournaments and Moonlight Mixer dance series.

In addition, the Charleston County Parks Foundation will host a special fundraising event called Folly Pier Fest on March 11.

The pier’s rectangular deck behind the Pier 101 restaurant, along with the gift shop and restrooms, reopened May 2021. For additional information on all that the Folly Beach Pier has to offer, visit www.ccprc.com/follypier.

The Folly Beach Pier’s parking lot will undergo renovations for a brief period in January. During this time, the parking lot along with the pier, restrooms, gift shop, beach access, and Pier 101 restaurant will be closed. Please stay tuned to CharlestonCountyParks.com for details on the timeline for this closure.

The pier dates back to the 1930s, but the most recent Folly Beach Pier, which is owned by CCPRC, opened on July 4, 1995. The entirely wooden pier eventually began deteriorating, its pilings impacted by marine borers as well as wear and tear from the ocean environment.

CCPRC crews began dive inspections of the pier pilings in 2013, and encapsulated many of the pilings in an effort to strengthen them, kill the marine borers, and maintain the integrity of the pier. Though the pier was maintained regularly to keep it safe for the public, pile deterioration is a continuous process that cannot be stopped. Wooden timber pile piers typically have an average life expectancy of 20 to 25 years.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.