Commercial Development at 832 Folly Road

The owners of 832 Folly Road proposed to redevelop the property.   This property is on the corner of Highland Avenue and Old Folly Road.    It is in front of the Bi-Lo shopping center and across Highland Avenue from the Heart Restaurant.  There are three buildings on the property now.   The Wag Factory and Trudy's Dance operated out of two of them.     The third building's most recent tenant was the Box Factory.

The developer proposed to demolish those three buildings and replace them with two large retail spaces.  There would be sidewalks on the streets and the buildings would be next to the sidewalks.   The parking lot would be behind the building adjacent to the parking lot in front of the Bi-Lo shopping center.

To fit in the two buildings, the required parking lot, and required water retention ponds, the developer proposed to remove 5 grand trees.   The plan kept 10 grand trees and 23 other trees.   They proposed planting 41 new trees.

Here is a copy of the plan that was presented to the James Island Board of Zoning Appeals.

Based upon this plan, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved the removal of the 5 grand trees.

Robin Hardin, a member of the Planning Commission, claimed that the property was clear cut and that only one grand tree was saved.   This is false.   As mentioned above, 10 grand trees and 23 other trees were saved.   These other trees are all greater than 8 inches in diameter and include a variety of species--mostly oaks and cherry.   The trees removed from the foot print of the proposed buildings, the parking lot, and water retention ponds make up a substantial area.    That was cleared.   

Will the proposed retail space materialized?   What will it look like after the 41 new trees have been planted and have had a chance to grow?

We will see.