Savetheangeloak.org has responded with an appeal of this approval. (which can be viewed here).

You can view the approved stormwater application that I received from DHEC/OCRM attached to the copy of the appeal they received in their office.

Under paragraph IV, water body information, item (A), the applicant has checked that the wetlands are not jurisdictional.

This wetland was declared jurisdictional by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. (NOT ISOLATED)

Therefore, the application is false.  There have been other significant changes to the plans since the 2008 stormwater application, which was NEVER publically noticed for wetland impacts, (isolated or non-isolated).

Additionally, it has just been proven that storm water runoff will flow into Church Creek and see no need for ANY land disturbance at this time, as it is still uncertain whether this development will happen at all.  This permit should have been denied due to this project’s proximity to the Angel Oak and the valuable jurisdictional wetlands on site.

This application should have been denied due to the fact that more archaeological work needs to be completed on the site before any ground disturbing activities occur anywhere, as this could potentially risk the destruction of important artifacts that could provide valuable insight into the history and cultural significance of this area.  The State Dept. of History and Archives has received new information about a significant archeological find on the project site and this still needs to be evaluated.

We will need donations to fund the appeal!  Please send donations to:

Donations are currently accepted through the Coastal Conservation League.
Checks can be sent to:

Coastal Conservation League-Angel Oak Project
328 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401
*make sure you include Angel Oak Project in your note/on the check

Please write send your comments to Richard Geer @ SCDHEC or directly through our website

Richard Geer
Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
1362 Mc Millan Ave. Suite 400
Charleston, SC 29405
Phone 843-953-0242
Fax 843-953-0201
geerrv@dhec.sc.gov

The proposed project on the Sea Island Health Care Corporation property is considered by many residents and visitors to be incompatible with the adjacent Angel Oak Park.

Concerns include irreparable harm to the Angel Oak tree due to increased wind exposure and changes to the hydrologic regime, as well as negative impacts to the quality of place at the Park due to visible and audible intrusion on visitors. Specific issues include the close proximity of the residential homes, density of development, inadequate road capacity for increased traffic, and impacts to wetlands on the property.

The proposed project on the Sea Island Health Care Corporation property is considered by many residents and visitors to be incompatible with the adjacent Angel Oak Park. Concerns include irreparable harm to the Angel Oak tree due to increased wind exposure and changes to the hydrologic regime, as well as negative impacts to the quality of place at the Park due to visible and audible intrusion on visitors. Specific issues include the close proximity of the residential homes, density of development, inadequate road capacity for increased traffic, and impacts to wetlands on the property.

View the full report [pdf - 40 pages - 9Mb]

Prepared by:

Bridget Callahan Lussier
42 Anita Drive, Charleston SC 29407
Email: bridgetlussier@gmail.com
Phone: 843 270 7882

The Planning Commission endorses the new plan and City Council approves it, over the course of three public meetings in May and July.

In late July, Samantha Siegel launches an online petition drive opposing the development.

After days of contentious public hearings, a deal is reached calling for a 150-foot buffer around Angel Oak Park, a 75-foot natural buffer along unpaved Angel Oak Road, an extra level of city review as the development proceeds, a 7-acre conservation zone around the park, and the hiring of a hydrologist and a tree expert. The development would include a large grocery store, shops and 285 housing units.

In September, the city announces a plan to acquire 16 acres around Angel Oak Park for $1 million as part of a $3.5 million purchase of the entire property by Greenville developer Robert S. Small Jr.

That deal falls through, and the land is bought by a different developer.

Charleston’s Planning Commission approves rezoning the Sea Island property to allow a grocery story, office buildings and apartments.