I'On developer, state clash over roundabout landscaping

In the span of 10 years, Chad Besenfelder attempted to plant an oak tree two times. On both occasions, his plans were quashed by the state.

Now, for a third time, he's pulled together engineers and designers to give it another go, hoping the state will allow the beautification of what's become known as the ugliest roundabout in Mount Pleasant, according to some local residents.

Neighboring roundabouts boast fountains and shrubbery, but the circle in front of the award-winning I'On neighborhood at Shelmore Boulevard and Mathis Ferry Road remains bare. Besenfelder, general manager for the I'On Co., said the neighborhood developer chose to maintain responsibility for the roundabout.

"If we're going to pay for it, I want to design it the way we want it," he said. "Our idea was that we wanted to have a big tree in the middle to slow people down. We applied for a permit and the Department of Transportation turned it down."

Normally, the town manages the Mount Pleasant roundabouts alone, but because Mathis Ferry is a state-owned scenic byway, Besenfelder's plans must meet state landscaping standards in addition to gaining approval from the town.

The S.C. Department of Transportation updated its standards for traffic-circle landscaping on July 1, and while Besenfelder's tree did make the cut, the state ruled the I'On circle was too small for a live oak. The updated standards suggest 19 types of trees, including holly, crape myrtle, maple and elm trees.

Mark Nesbit is a district traffic engineer with the DOT. His stamp of disapproval blocked Besenfelder's proposed design.

"We are pretty much required to have an offset from the road with live oak trees," Nesbit said. "A large tree would not be allowable, especially in these small roundabouts like the one on Mathis Ferry Road."

But traffic-circle designer Michael Wallwork of Alternate Street Design said he thinks Besenfelder's tree seems legitimate.

"There is no rhyme or reason with prohibiting it, especially when federal guidelines suggest it," he said.

"It's about time they matched the federal guidelines and required it."

He paused: "Not permitted it. Require it."

In addition to several global projects, Wallwork designed the circle in front of the I'On community.

He said there's an inconsistency between state departments of transportation and the federal guidelines, and he's inevitably confused each time he's commissioned by a municipality.

Once a design gains state approval, it must acquire endorsement from the town of Mount Pleasant. Brad Morrison, the traffic coordinator with the town, said unless the town disagrees with a part of the state-approved design, the developer can start landscaping immediately.

Expansive roundabout landscaping isn't hard to find in Mount Pleasant. Children's Circle at Rifle Range and Venning roads contains several trees and a large water fountain. Just up the road, eight holly trees surround a towering palm, crowning Veterans Circle at Rifle Range and Bowman roads.

"They have eight of those trees in there," said an exasperated Besenfelder. "All I want is one tree."

Reach Chase Purdy at cpurdy@postandcourier.com or 937-5709.