ELR Citation: ELR 20393
No(s). D:89-0216-1 (D.S.C. Oct 12, 1989)

The court holds that amendments to the South Carolina Beachfront Management Act preventing construction within 20 feet of the coastal baseline constitute a taking of plaintiffs' property. The statutes create no-construction zones in the town of Hilton Head Island that prevent plaintiffs from constructing a family vacation home. The plaintiffs are permitted to construct only a walkway to the beach or a small deck, neither of which is an economically viable use of such valuable property. The property owner is entitled to just compensation even though the statutes advance a legitimate state interest.

Counsel for Plaintiffs
Randall Chastain
Lourie, Curlee, Barrett & Popowski
1224 Pickens St., P.O. Box 12089, Capitol Station, Columbia SC 29211
(803) 799-9805

John V. Esposito
P.O. Box 5705, Hilton Head SC 29938
(304) 752-7300

Counsel for Defendants
C.C. Herness III, General Counsel
South Carolina Coastal Council
Saber Pl., Ste. 300, Charleston SC 29405
(803) 744-5838

William L. Want
P.O. Box 1088, 174 E. Bay St., Ste. 202, Charleston SC 29402
(803) 723-5148