PROPOSED TREE REMOVAL AND MITIGATION PLAN:

CENTRAL PARK ROAD (S-67) ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS & RIVERLAND DRIVE (S-53) SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

Background Information:

On February 27, 2024, Charleston County Council approved amendments to the Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance (ZLDR) to allow exemptions to the County’s Tree Preservation and Protection requirements for Charleston County Public Works (CCPW) initiated road and drainage projects (Ordinance #2281).  The amendments allow the following for CCPW initiated road and drainage projects (projects must be under review within the County’s Limited Site Plan Review Process and in an approvable state):

• Grand Trees other than Live Oaks not located on a Scenic Highway may be permitted administratively for removal;
• Protected Trees located on a Scenic Highway and Grand Live Oaks may be approved for approval by County Council. In such cases, Council shall hold a Public Hearing for the request prior to final approval; and
• Protected Trees located on a Scenic Highway and all Grand Trees must be mitigated pursuant to the ZLDR tree replacement requirements. To the greatest extent possible, the replacement trees must be planted in the same general area as the project to provide a replacement tree canopy. A tree mitigation plan shall be provided as part of the Council approval process.

The Central Park Road & Riverland Drive Intersection Improvements project is the third road project for which the removal and mitigation of Grand Trees/Protected Trees are proposed since these ZLDR amendments were adopted. The project will provide dedicated turn lanes from Central Park Road onto Riverland Drive along with improved pedestrian crossing and pedestrian sidewalk along Riverland Drive.  The project begins at the intersection with Woodland Shores Drive and continues along Riverland Drive, ending at the entrance to the Lowcountry Senior Center.  The project has completed Limited Site Plan Review and has been approved with conditions.

Arborist Evaluation:

The County’s arborist has reviewed the project plans and identified forty-one (41) Protected and/or Grand Trees in the project area including:

• Three (3) Grand/Protected Trees to be removed require approval by County Council and mitigation:
  • Tree 14: 29" Live Oak, B Grade
  • Tree 340: 27.5" Sweet Gum, C Grade
  • Tree 342: 23.5" Sweet Gum, C Grade

• Twenty-nine (29) Grand/Protected Trees are to be encroached upon, and a preservation plan is included:
  • Tree 9: 45" Live Oak, Grade B (8% encroachment)
  • Tree 29: 80" Live Oak, Grade B (4% encroachment)
  • *Tree 40: 34" Live Oak, Grade B (*29% encroachment)
  • Tree 200: 19.5"/27.5" Live Oak, Grade C (11% encroachment)
  • Tree 202: 30" Sweet Gum, Grade B (3% encroachment)
  • Tree 203: 30" Water Oak, Grade C (4% encroachment)
  • Tree 204: 38" Sweet Gum, Grade F (6% encroachment)
  • Tree 216: 38" Live Oak, Grade B (14% encroachment)
  • *Tree 218: 28" Live Oak, Grade B (*30% encroachment)
  • Tree 219: 48" Live Oak, Grade B (18% encroachment)
  • *Tree 221: 28.5" Live Oak, Grade B (*25% encroachment)
  • *Tree 223: 38" Live Oak, Grade B (*30% encroachment)
  • *Tree 301: 20" Water Oak, Grade D (*33% encroachment)
  • Tree 302: 18.5" Red Oak, Grade F (20% encroachment)
  • Tree 304: 12"/12" Water Oak, Grade C (10% encroachment)
  • *Tree 305: 22" Sweet Gum, Grade D (*33% encroachment)
  • Tree 317: 16.5" Maple, Grade C (14% encroachment)
  • Tree 318: 10"/17" Maple, Grade C (15% encroachment)
  • Tree 322: 22" Pine, Grade C (13% encroachment)
  • Tree 323: 18" Maple, Grade C (0.2% encroachment)
  • Tree 328: 19.5" Water Oak, Grade C (6% encroachment)
  • Tree 329: 24.5" Live Oak, Grade C (13% encroachment)
  • Tree 330: 7"/17.5" Magnolia, Grade A (8% encroachment)
  • Tree 334: 22.5" Sweet Gum, Grade B (21% encroachment)
  • Tree 336: 23" Sweet Gum, Grade B (13% encroachment)
  • Tree 337: 22" Pine, Grade B (6% encroachment)
  • Tree 338: 32" Pine, Grade D (4% encroachment)
  • Tree 343: 20" Sycamore, Grade B (0.004% encroachment)
  • Tree 344: 30" Pine, Grade B (4% encroachment)

* Encroached upon by 25%-35%; Treatment Plan provided

• Nine (9) Grand/Protected Trees are to be administratively permitted for removal due to poor condition:
  • Tree 10: 28" Live Oak, Grade D
  • Tree 11: 35" Live Oak, Grade F
  • Tree 12: 41" Live Oak, Grade D
  • Tree 13: 28" Live Oak, Grade D
  • Tree 201: 39" Water Oak, Grade F
  • Tree 217: 25" Laurel Oak, Grade F
  • Tree 306: 23" Sweet Gum, Grade F
  • Tree 308: 20" Sweet Gum, Grade D
  • Tree 341: 28" Water Oak, Grade D

Staff Recommendation: 

Approve the removal of the three Grand/Protected Trees shown on the tree removal plan and the proposed mitigation ($20,000 to be paid into the Tree Fund prior to the removal of the trees):

• Tree 14: 29" Live Oak
• Tree 340: 27.5" Sweet Gum
• Tree 341: 23.5" Sweet Gum

Approve the Tree Preservation Plan for the trees proposed to be encroached upon by 25%-35%.  The Tree Preservation Plan must be overseen by an ISA Certified Arborist.  Also require that if any Grand /Protected Tree dies within three (3) years from the date construction begins, CCPW shall mitigate the DBH of the tree(s) by depositing funds into the Charleston County Tree Fund as described in Sec. 9.2.6 of the Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Regulations. The allotted mitigation shall be in place prior to removal of the tree(s).