Public Hearing on the Town's Tree Fund

The Town of James Island is holding a public hearing on the Town's Tree Fund on Thursday, June 19 at 7:00.   It is an amendment to the Town's Zoning and Subdivision Regulation Ordinance.   The proposed amendment will allow the funds to be used for beautification on James Island.

I support the change.   I would like the Town to sponsor Arbor Day events at James Island Schools.   Planting trees on the school grounds would be a central part of the program.    Most of our Town's children attend schools such as Stiles Point, Harborview, and James Island Elementary.   Stiles Point and Harborview are under City of Charleston jurisdiction and James Island Elementary is in unincorporated Charleston County.   The Assistant Principal of James Island Middle asked the Town if we could donate some trees.  While many Town children attend the school and it is near the center of our Town, it is under City jurisdiction.    James Island Charter High School is also under City jurisdiction.  Only Fort Johnson Middle is in the Town.  (And we have offered to donate trees to Fort Johnson Middle.)  By amending the ordinance to remove the restriction that the funds must be used in the Town, it will be possible to plant trees at our Island schools.

Depending on the location, I believe that beautification can be best accomplished by planting a mixture of trees and shrubs.    The Town is currently looking at beautification of the intersection of Dills Bluff and Camp.   While we may be able to plant some trees, other types of shrubs or flowers would be nice as well.

The Town's Dock Street Park perhaps could use an additional tree, but it is mostly well shaded.   However, some flowering shrubs would improve the park.   Also, many of the properties that the Town has reviewed for a new park are heavily forested.   While adding some specimen trees would be nice, adding flowering shrubs and other plants would help enhance a new park. 

It has always been my policy to bring proposals for Town action to Council for approval.   Usually, it is presented in the form of a  resolution.    This change in our ordinance will provide the Town staff and Council with flexibility in spending monies from the Tree Fund on beautification on James Island.