We appreciate your engagement and feedback as we have worked in conjunction with Kuo Diedrich Chi (KDC) on a focused multi-step planning process to develop an aligned long-term plan to best leverage the Island’s facilities, assets, and services to cost-effectively meet the future needs of Seabrook Island.
Overall, there has been positive feedback on TOSI, SIC, and SIPOA working together to develop this type of a longer-term roadmap. The input and feedback did highlight three large themes regarding the work.
- There is a desire to focus on improving/leveraging what we currently have in place and mixed interest for any large-scale near-term projects and associated costs.
- The Phase 0 and Phase 1 items of the Master Plan are focused on updates/improvements to existing assets, synergies/efficiencies, and smaller wins.
- Phase 2 items are longer-term strategic possibilities that will be further evaluated as we move forward as part of an on-going governance and update process.
- The community wants to ensure that there is a balance with the efforts associated with safeguarding our natural environment (issues such as beach erosion, water management, etc.).
- These are mission-critical areas that are fundamental to the future of Seabrook Island, and all three entities have existing planning processes for infrastructure and disaster recovery scope.
- The Master Plan scope approach of having awareness of the existing projects/strategies that are specifically addressing these issues – – but not trying to duplicate them – – is provided in FAQ #11. Going forward, there will be an effort to better highlight the interlock with these existing efforts/strategies in conjunction with the Master Plan.
- It is important to have detailed cost, business case, and operational planning information for future projects.
- Below outlines the process for providing more detailed cost and project information based on the timing of the Phase 0/Phase 1 projects.
Master Plan – Zones, Concepts & Phases
The initial plan work started with KDC assessing current building/grounds as well as reviewing previous community survey information. Focus groups were conducted involving nearly 150 Seabrookers around the key areas of the island. Finally, open houses were held to share initial concepts with over 1,000 comments received.
The updated summary of the Master Plan elements (zones, concepts and phases) can be accessed here. This summary represents over a year of efforts, feedback, and study, and we are now positioned to start work on Phase 0 and Phase 1 priorities.
Master Plan Next Steps
Phase 0 and Phase 1
Many of the Phase 0 projects are underway. The Club and SIPOA have engaged KDC/Woods to further design concepts of the Phase 1 projects which will provide more details for evaluating the improvements and developing cost estimates.
For each Phase 1 project, the following items will be developed and shared on the Master Plan website in the January 2026 timeframe:
- Further conceptual design details
- Cost estimates for the conceptual designs
- Business Case justification
The relevant committees and operational professionals will be engaged in this next step to activate a community point of view in the business case justification and to provide operational insights into the concept designs.
Governance Next Steps
The Master Plan is a long-term strategic road map that will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. Here is what you can expect going forward in terms of communication and governance:
- The Master Plan website will stay active and act as a repository for relevant information.
- Quarterly communication updates on Master Plan progress starting January 2026.
- Each Phase 1 project will have further conceptual design details, cost estimates and business case/need justification posted on the Master Plan website as each concept is further refined and evaluated beginning January 2026.
- There will be a formal process to review and update the Master Plan every 18 months, involving all three entities.
Please keep engaged with the Master Plan website (and encourage others to do the same) as we shift the focus to sharing greater detail on the near-term Phase 1 projects, and subscribe to the Master Plan website to ensure notifications of updates. If you are interested in being further involved in the Master Plan, please consider volunteering for a TOSI, SIPOA, or Club committee in 2026.
-Submitted by Seabrook Island Master Plan Committee