Another round of debate
By David Slade
Supporters and opponents of the latest plan for a large residential and commercial development adjacent to Charleston's Angel Oak Park on Johns Island are preparing for the latest skirmish in the years-long controversy, when the plan goes before a city panel at 5 p.m. today.
File/Staff
Supporters of a development project near the Angel Oak, which is hundreds of years old, say the tree won't be damaged. Opponents fear for the tree's well-being.
The Commercial Corridor Design Review Board will be considering the height, scale and mass of buildings proposed in the development, but not the main issues that have motivated opponents, namely the development's proximity to the ancient Angel Oak tree in city's small adjacent park.
The nearest structure would be about 500 feet from the tree, which opponents fear could be damaged by the project.
The development formerly known as Angel Oak Village — the name was changed to Sea Island PUD because of the controversy about the tree — has the support of city staff and officials, and a number of prominent arborists have concluded that it will not harm the Angel Oak.
"The Angel Oak is not threatened as currently proposed and could actually be better off in the long run," said Kim Coder, a professor of tree biology at the University of Georgia, in a recent evaluation.
Previous stories
Angel Oak builders dealt setback, published 01/23/09
Village seen as threat to oak, published 03/24/09
Former Angel Oak owner weighs in on controversy, published 04/14/09
Protect land around oak, league says, published 04/17/09
Developer Robert DeMoura said Coder, past president of the International Society of Arboriculture, was not compensated for the opinion, which he said concurred with other arborists consulting on the development.
The development includes a plan to relocate the parking area at Angel Oak Park so that it would be a greater distance from the tree, which is why Coder said the development could help the Angel Oak.
Opponents, led by Johns Island resident Samantha Siegel, have been unimpressed with arborists' reports, and have tried to slow the development plan at every step.
Sea Island Comprehensive Health Care, a Civil-Rights-era nonprofit group that used to own the land, had long-standing plans to develop the property, but sold the land several years ago for $3.5 million as part of a bankruptcy reorganization plan.
What they're saying
Read what more arborists are saying about the plan"
May 20 letter from James R. Skiera, Executive Director of the International Society of Arboriculture
May 18 letter from Dr. Kim D. Coder, professor of tree biology and health care at the University of Georgia
May 11 letter from Dr. McGraw of Tree Connections, LLC
Sea Island Comprehensive Health Care stands to profit from the development, under an agreement with the developer, and has said plans to include some affordable homes in the development will help Johns Island residents.
The 42-acre development is planned in two phases, and only the first phase is up for review at the meeting today at 75 Calhoun St.
The Coastal Conservation League has been pursuing a plan to use county greenbelt funds to purchase the roughly 22 acres planned for the second development phase, but the developers have not agreed to sell, and it's not clear that county funds would be available.
The first phase calls for a complex of one- to three-story buildings on roughly 20 acres of land, most of which sits behind existing businesses on Bohicket Road at Maybank Highway. The site also includes land along Maybank Highway.
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Comments
Cruckerjr (anonymous) says...
I don't undersand why people feel like they have to develope every piece of nice property on Johns Island. The appeal of Johns Island is the fact that it does not have a building sitting on every inch of the ground. The Angel Oak tree is a land mark and it sits beautifully the way it is. In it's natural habitat. Homes and other structures do not need to built next to it. This is very frustrating. I just hope that this developement does not happen. If there is anything I can do as a resident of the island to stop it I will.
June 25, 2009 at 5:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wildbillz50 (anonymous) says...
Here goes The City of Chas.after annexing piecemeal parcels of property out here on Johns Island so that they can be developed into crowded 3 story apartments,or condos for the single purpose of the tax revenue that will be generated to the mayors delight.LOOK at what was done at Fenwick Hall!
Think the traffic situation is bad now ? Just sit back and wait,J.R. AIN'T DONE YET !
June 25, 2009 at 6:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LEYH (anonymous) says...
Yes, seems as though the city has to develop every square inch it can. The Angel Oak experience will never be the same with all of the traffic noise and seeing the buildings through the forest. I have been 150' in that forest and had a conversation with someone standing in the park. You will be able to see a 3 story building 400' away.
The city has been aware that the dirt road, parking lot and gift shop has been on the root system for years. Did they do anything to fix the situation out of the goodness or their heart? no.
Does anyone think for a minute it would be OK to build a 630 unit/retail complex 150' from the Middleton Plantation house? Would it make it OK to put up a 150' tree buffer? Would anyone believe you would not be able to hear or see the complex from the plantation house?
The only way to stop this is to get involved. Come to the meeting tonight. savetheangeloak.org
June 25, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BetsBabe (anonymous) says...
I just moved here from Bay City, MI where every single piece of land is developed and the entire damn city is a mess. The city sits by the a bay of Lake Huron, but the beach is inaccessible due to human pollution and the lack of laws protecting the once valuable resource. Once beautiful, it's now infested with E Coli and is unfit for human use.
Coming to Charleston, SC is an absolute adventure. This city prides itself on it's history and protects it's historical artifacts with a will that is unbelievable. The only problem is that instead of leaving space for these historic landmarks, tourist attractions and gift shops pop up a foot away from it. Half the beauty, the mystery, and the emotional feel of the landmark is lost.
Just as the beautiful beach in my hometown was lost, the lack of human will to protect the tree will slowly take a toll on it.
As an outsider, seeing in, I can tell you right now that I've seen nothing like the Angel Oak Tree. It is a landmark that MUST BE PROTECTED.
June 25, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CWL922 (anonymous) says...
They may as well cut that tree down and build a house right there. The developers are not going to be happy until Johns Island looks just like West Ashley.
June 25, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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