Stricter Tree Ordinances Imposed

Council voted 3 to 2 to impose stricter tree regulation on James Island homeowners.    Starting tonight, it is necessary to get a permit to cut down any tree other than a pine, sweetgum or chinese tallow with diameter over 18 inches.   The permits cost $25.   If the tree is diseased or dying, a permit will be issued and it can then be removed.   Otherwise, the BZA must approve the removal.   Mitigation is imposed to replace the trees, and this is usually interpreted to mean inch-for-inch replacement.

Voting in favor of the stricter regulations were Councilmen Kernodle and Mullinax and Councilwoman Berry.   Councilman Blank and I voted against.

Planning Commissioner Millken again made it clear that he sees this as just a first step and plans to propose even more detailed micromanagement of your yard.

Speed Humps on North Shore Drive

Two speed humps appeared on North Shore Drive today.   They are located near Waites and James.   North Shore is an SCDOT road and so this required SCDOT approval.  The part of the road between Waites and James is under City of Charleston jurisdiction.  Presumably the City of Charleston requested the speed humps and paid for them.  We were as surprised as everyone else.

Here is a map showing the approximate location.   The red is City of Charleston.   The grey is the Town of James Island.

Gun Shops on Folly Road. Will the Town Prohibit Them?

The public hearing on the Folly Road Overlay District will be on October 17 and a first reading is scheduled.   The recommendation from the Planning Commission includes a prohibition on gun shops on Folly Road.   This was revisited by the Planning Commission and they voted 3 to 2 to keep the ban.    I plan to propose striking gun shops from the list of prohibited uses at first reading.   I believe Councilmen Blank and Mullinax will join me.   Where do Councilman Kernodle and Councilwoman Berry stand?   We will find out.

Please come to the Town Council meeting and speak out in opposition to this effort to keep gun shops off of Folly Road.

Tree Update: New Restrictions Likely After October 17

The second reading of Chapters 8 and 9 is coming up at the October 17 meeting.   And that means that stricter tree regulations will be imposed if the ordinances pass.    At the last meeting, they passed 3 to 2, with Councilmen Kernodle and Mullinax and Councilwoman Berry in favor.   Councilman Blank and I were opposed.    The new tree regulations will require a permit to cut down any tree other than pine, sweet gum, or Chinese Tallow with a diameter greater than 18 inches.    The existing ordinance requires a permit to cut down oak trees with a diameter greater than 24 inches.   If a tree is dead or dying, then the Planning Director can issue a permit and the cost is $25.    Otherwise, it is necessary to get permission from the Board of Zoning Appeals and provide inch-for-inch mitigation.

We have had several calls to Town Hall about cutting down trees right now.   Today, and up until October 17, there is no penalty for cutting down any tree other than an oak, nor is there any penalty for cutting oak trees with a diameter less than 24 inches.   No permit or permission is needed.   Our code enforcement officer will not, and cannot, give a ticket to people for doing something that is not illegal at this time.

I am thinking about cutting down one or both river birches in my front yard.

However, if you come to Town Hall asking for a zoning permit for a new project, you will be instructed to follow the procedures consistent with the new law.   For example, if you need to do a tree survey, you will be asked to identify all trees with diameter greater than 18 inches other than pines, sweet gums and Chinese Tallow trees as grand trees.   This is based upon the "pending ordinance doctrine."

Public Hearing Folly Road Overlay on October 17

Town Of James Island

The James Island Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on the Proposed Draft of the Folly Road Corridor Overlay Zoning District (Article 5.4, Zoning and Land Development Regulations), including a proposal to remove Gun Shops from the list of Prohibited Uses. The Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the Town of James Island Town Hall, 1238-B Camp Road, James Island, SC (843) 795-4141. Copies of the draft Folly Road Corridor Overlay District (FRC-O) Plan are available for the public to review Monday-Friday during normal business hours.

1238-B Camp Road  795-4141

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FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.jamesislandsc.us

The language recommended by the James Island Planning Commission is here.

Town Administrator Wanted

Town Administrator
Town of James Island, SC

The Town of James Island invites qualified and experienced candidates to submit resumes for the Town Administrator position. James Island is a predominately residential community with a population of 11,500 in the Charleston, SC area. Our budget is approximately $2 million and we have 8 full time employees. Town services include Public Works, Planning, Code Enforcement, Building Inspection, Finance and Administration. Other services are provided by Charleston County and the James Island Public Service District.

Please submit your resume to:  Frances Simmons, Town Clerk at townclerk@jamesislandsc.us. We prefer that all resume materials be submitted via email. Current salary for this position is $65,000 a year; however, salary offered will depend on qualifications and experience. Position will remain open until filled.

Town Council Report

Town Council Meeting

The James Island Town Council met on Thursday, September 19.

The Mayor reported that the petition drive to annex the West Fort Johnon Road area and the East Lighthouse Point area has begun, with the goal being 100 signatures of registered voters in the areas.   The petititon drive is more than 25% complete.

The Mayor also reported on the meeting held for the Folly Road business community regarding the Folly Road Overlay District on August 29.   A public hearing and first reading on the overlay district is scheduled for October 17.

A public hearing was held on Chapters 8 and 9 of the Zoning and Subdivision Regulation Ordinance.    Council voted 3-2 to pass the proposed amendments on first reading.  Councilman Blank and Mayor Woolsey voted against the amendments, speaking against imposing stricter tree regulations on Town homeowners.   

Town Council passed a resolution 4 to 1  asking SCDOT and the City of Charleston to put turn signals on the traffic light at Maybank and Wappoo Creek Drive.  Mayor Woolsey voted no, pointing out that the resolution was premature, and that this issue will be discussed by representatives of the Town, City, and County at the James Island Intergovernmental Council on Sept. 25.

Town Council passed a resolution 3 to 2 asking the City of Charleston and Charleston County to pass ordinances prohibiting the use of hand held devices while driving.   Mayor Woolsey argued that it was inappropriate for the Town to advocate that other jurisdictions pass ordinances that the Town is not proposing to pass.   He also noted that this will be discussed at the James Island Intergovernmental Council and that a resolution calling for all James Island jurisdictions to pass an ordinance on this matter would be more appropriate there.

Council briefly discussed providing a contribution to support the Angel Oak preservation effort.   Since no resolution had been provided to the Clerk by the deadline, no vote was taken.