Charleston Co. Council Approves Changes on Grand Tree Ordinance

Charleston Co. Council Approves Changes on Grand Tree Ordinance

In a significant development, the Charleston County Council has passed amendments to an existing ordinance related to grand trees. The changes in the ordinance are predicted to influence the process of grand trees removal regarding public works projects.

The definition provided by Charleston County for ‘grand tree’ is any tree that is 24 inches or greater in diameter at a height of 4.5 feet or above, excluding pine and sweetgum species. Under the current protocol, no ‘grand trees’ can be removed without obtaining an authorized removal permit.

Transfer of Authority and the Implications

Prior to Tuesday’s vote, the Charleston County’s Board of Zoning Appeals held the decision-making power on which ‘grand trees’ could be removed. However, the newly passed amendment transfers this role to the County Council for all public works projects.

According to Jenny Costa Honeycutt, a member of Charleston County Council, the enactment of this change will lead to tree removal decisions being made at the start of the project. This shift is expected to make the process more cost-effective and efficient.

“The project is backwards currently. To wait until the end of the project, after the design and after the land acquisition to see if the project can move forward because a tree has to be removed is impractical,” Honeycutt added.

Public Response to the Changes

Public responses to the amendment have been varied. Many conservationists and residents fear that the change will give the county a free-pass to raze trees at will, damaging the island’s unique character.

However, Honeycutt reassures that the public will be given the chance to see tree impacts upfront and will have the opportunity to voice their concerns through public comments. The plan is to allow one public hearing per development project, giving the community more say in the matter.

Conservation Concerns amid Progress

The Coastal Conservation League’s Communities and Transportation Project Manager, Emma Berry, predicts that the changes will demand more public vigilance in preserving the environment.

“If they push these changes through tonight there will be no signs, no notice for people and that’s where it’s going to get really tricky,” Berry warned, highlighting the need for increased public involvement.

Amid concerns and approval, this decision has sparked a renewed conversation about balancing development and nature conservation. Its impacts will be witnessed in future public works projects touched by this amendment. Only time will tell whether the harmonious balance of progress and preservation is achievable or not.