A recent article in our local Island Packet indicated that the Sea Pines Country Club was suing CSA (Community Service Association) which is in essence the Sea Pines Property Owners Company that maintains our covenants, elects a board and oversees all aspects of common properties and especially security.  The lawsuit is about being charged a $5.00 gate fee for non-residents attending functions at the Club.

The CSA board is comprised of 4 groups:  ASPPO (Association of Sea Pines Property Owners), Sea Pines Company (or assigns, Riverstone Group), CSA and Commercial Property Owners (Harbour Town, South Beach, and Sea Pines Center)  The Sea Pines Covenants direct the board makeup, and how different properties will pay CSA.  Commercial properties pay 1/2% of the rent rolls or gross receipts, homes, villas, and vacant lots pay a set fee that can escalate each year by a certain percentage.

The covenants do not address every aspect of who can come into Sea Pines, but early on a gate fee was charged to allow people into Sea Pines to shop, play golf, tennis, eat at restaurants, and generally enjoy the amenities that the different commercial companies had inside Sea Pines.

The covenants have evolved over many years and at some point in time a provision was added to make all policies of CSA enforceable under the covenants.  This in essence gave the board the ability to interpret the covenants the way they saw fit.

The gate pass committee has continually changed its policies over the past years and it seems they can never get enough revenue from the gate.  It's not about who is coming into Sea Pines, but what we can charge them.  I have been on the opposite side of this battle numerous years having run a short term rental company and managed commercial properties in Sea Pines.

The policies have changed and each time it gets harder and more expensive to do business in Sea Pines.  The only exception is the Sea Pines Company.

This new law suit between the Sea Pines Country Club and CSA will determine if the policies that CSA directs are truly enforceable under the covenants.  It will be interesting to see the outcome of this lawsuit.  It might be in the best interest of CSA to settle the lawsuit outside the courts because they have the most to lose.  If the courts rule that the policies are not enforceable, it would set the CSA board and their position in jeopardy.

The simple way to settle the suit would be to go back to what the covenants do say and charge the 1/2% on gross receipts for any and all groups wanting access to Sea Pines for a function going on in Sea Pines. NO EXCEPTIONS for any commercial activity having a function needing gate access.

What CSA wants to do is charge the Sea Pines Country Club an excessive tax for functions.  Assume a function that cost $25.00 a person and Sea Pines charges a $5.00 fee for every two people that's a 10% increase in the cost of the event.

CSA has been trying to change the covenants for several years and it is no wonder the property owners have not passed these covenants.  Our board needs to listen to the residents and do what is best for Sea Pines.

Sea Pines is by far the most desirable place to live on the island.  It has everything that people want in a place to live on the island.  We have the best beaches, four premiere golf courses, fun commercial centers with good restaurants, some of the best retailers on the island, miles and miles of bike trails, world class tennis facilities, a 900 acre forest preserve, and hundreds of other acres of open space, two marinas, and great fishing in our lagoon system.  No other community has all of these amenities, and that is why Sea Pines is by far the best place to live.

The board needs to understand that we are a diverse community with year round residents, part time residents, commercial properties, short term renters, and guest of residents.  We are all part of this community and everyone benefits from the overall mix.  The tourists support our community, the local owners of commercial operations support our community, the residents support our local charities and businesses, and the second home owners come and enjoy the lifestyle that is Sea Pines.

We need a board that supports all of the property owners not a select few who feel that we should not have commercial operations, short term renters, and locals who buy annual passes to Sea Pines.  There are other communities on the island and off island that are strictly residential they can move to if that is how they feel.  Sea Pines is what it is, and we either embrace what we have or don't buy in Sea Pines. I personally would not live anywhere else on the island.

The design of Sea Pines separated the villas and commercial activities into certain areas.  Lighthouse road between the beach and Harbour Town and the South Beach Marina Village contain the bulk of all villas, all commercial centers, and golf operations.  The residential areas are in pockets surrounding the corridors of commercial and multifamily villas.  It allows residents to have access to these great amenities, but then go home to a quieter neighborhood. 

It is also what has made the appreciation of property values what they are.  It has been and still is the best place to buy real estate, and today is a great time to find a good deal.

If anyone were to ask me I would reccomend that the boards of CSA and the Sea Pines Country Club pick up your dirty laundry and come to an agreement that is amicable to all.

                                                     Property of Charlie B Fraser 2008