Petition to Preserve Pedestrian Access Between Maybank Village and Local Businesses and to Dismiss Unfounded Vandalism Charges

To: The Maybank Village Homeowners Association, Charleston County Authorities, and All Relevant Parties

We, the undersigned residents and community members of Maybank Village, respectfully petition the Maybank Village HOA and local authorities to allow the pedestrian opening in the fence between our neighborhood and the adjacent businesses — Estuary Beans & Barley and Charleston Distilling — to remain in place. We also request that all criminal charges against the alleged Estuary Beans & Barley employee related to this matter be immediately dropped.

Background:
For years, an opening in the fence has provided a safe and convenient pathway for Maybank Village residents to walk to the nearby brewery, distillery, and other businesses. This pathway fosters community connection, reduces unnecessary vehicle traffic, and encourages responsible pedestrian access to these popular local establishments. Recently, a construction company closed one of these long-standing openings. In response, the owners of Estuary Beans & Barley and Charleston Distilling voluntarily created a new opening on their own property to preserve this valuable community connection.

The Issue:
Following the creation of this new opening, someone contacted the Maybank Village HOA and the police, resulting in an alleged employee of Estuary Beans & Barley being charged with vandalism. We believe this charge is both unfair and unwarranted, as the opening was created with the full consent of the business and property owners involved, and it serves the best interests of the community.

Our Request:
We, the residents of Maybank Village, formally request the following:

That the opening in the fence be allowed to remain in place to preserve safe, pedestrian-friendly access between the neighborhood and the local businesses we support.

That all charges against the alleged Estuary Beans & Barley employee be immediately dismissed, as the creation of the opening was neither malicious nor unlawful, but rather a community-minded action aimed at maintaining a longstanding pathway used by many residents.

This petition reflects the strong desire of Maybank Village residents to maintain positive relationships with our neighboring businesses, support local commerce, and foster a walkable, connected community. We urge the HOA and local authorities to act in the spirit of cooperation and common sense, and to work with both residents and businesses to resolve this matter amicably.

Sincerely,
The Residents of Maybank Village
& Supporters of Local Business and Community Access