06/04/2026
Regarding the Re: Grand Oaks Blvd (TMS #301-00-00-052), 4 Jenkins Ave, Hollydale Court
Dear Board Members and Officials,
The Charleston County Tree Preservation Alliance formally requests the immediate denial of the variance requests for the Grand Oaks Boulevard, 4 Jenkins Ave, and Hollydale Court projects.
These applications fail to meet legal, environmental, and economic standards. Specifically, the Grand Oaks proposal to remove 19 Grand Trees represents a catastrophic loss of natural stormwater infrastructure and wildlife habitat.
Our Formal Demands:
1. Mandatory Multi-Agency Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) No vote shall be taken without written sign-off from:
• SC DHEC: Water quality, wetlands, and stormwater discharge.
• US Army Corps of Engineers: Clean Water Act Section 404/401 permits.
• US Fish & Wildlife Service: Endangered Species Act consultation (specifically Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat).
• SC DNR: Wildlife corridor connectivity.
• Charleston Water System: Hydraulic modeling of peak flow and downstream flooding.
2. Strict Tree Preservation Protocols (Industry Best Practices)
• Preserve All B & C Grade Grand Trees: C-grade trees must be independently inspected for a second opinion by a qualified third party.
• No Clearing: Zero tree removal of any size in non-impacted building zones.
• Drip Line Protection Zones: Establish mandatory minimum drip line protection zones on all site plans. No removal, excavation, digging, soil compaction, or construction impact is permitted within these zones without full review and sign-off by all impacted agencies.
• Professional Oversight: All work proposed around drip lines must be under the direct supervision of an ISA Certified Arborist.
• Construction Method: Implementation of hand-digging and the most current, updated industry best-practice standards for working around root systems during construction.
3. Economic Liability & The "Self-Imposed Hardship" Precedent The developer's claim of "hardship" is invalid. They purchased an undeveloped lot, not a pre-cleared site. Creating a hardship by choosing maximum density on a greenfield site is a self-imposed hardship. Granting this variance sets a dangerous precedent that every future developer will exploit.
Furthermore, replacing the natural stormwater capacity of the 19 Grand Trees (approx. 68 million gallons over 300 years) with grey infrastructure will cost taxpayers $Millions over the lifecycle of the project.
• Demand: The developer must post a 100-Year Escrow Bond to fund all future infrastructure replacement, maintenance, and habitat restoration. No taxpayer funds should be used to subsidize this private development.
4. Political & Legal Contradictions Approving these variances contradicts the County's public stance on flood mitigation:
• NFIP & Biggert-Waters Act: Violates the requirement to maintain or improve flood storage capacity, jeopardizing federal flood insurance eligibility.
• FEMA BRIC Grants: Makes the project ineligible for nature-based solution grants the County claims to pursue.
• SC Floodplain Management Act: Violates the mandate that development must not increase flood heights.
• Executive Order 14008: Contradicts federal policy on protecting natural climate infrastructure.
Conclusion We urge the Board to DENY these variances immediately and condition any future approval on the fulfillment of the demands above. Do not let private profit override public law, environmental safety, and fiscal responsibility.
Respectfully,
[Your Name] Charleston County Tree Preservation Alliance [Contact Information]
oaks project please feel free to send this crafted message to city council, the mayor and any one else of importance.
See photo in comments for a few options to send to. If anyone has any other contacts, please post them in the comments.
