Charleston, S.C. — A controversial plan to remove 24 protected trees on Daniel Island has moved forward despite strong opposition from local residents and community leaders. On Tuesday night, Charleston’s Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) voted 4–1 in favor of granting a variance request from Holder Properties, allowing the next phase of the Nowell Creek Village townhome development to proceed.
The Opposition
The trees, which are located along Daniel Island Drive, near what many residents consider the island’s historic entrance, have become a focal point for growing concerns about the impact of development. Hundreds of Daniel Island residents voiced their opposition ahead of the vote, citing concerns over safety, aesthetics, and the broader issue of overdevelopment on the island.
Jeff Caldwell, the secretary of the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association (DINA), expressed disappointment in the approval. “This was never part of any of their plans, and we’ve looked at them all,” he said. “And we support development where it makes sense. This does not make sense.”
Rebecca Roman, a resident, criticized the timing of the vote, suggesting it was intentionally scheduled during the holiday week to avoid greater public scrutiny. “I believe it’s calculated,” she said.
Jarrod Spilman, president of DINA, called the outcome “surprising and disappointing,” particularly regarding the potential visual impact on the island’s historic entrance. “To come across that bridge and see not a nice canopy of trees, but now a wall of buildings, is really disappointing,” Spilman added.
The Developer’s Response
In a written statement to News 2, Holder Properties defended its plan, emphasizing that they share the residents’ concern about the island’s trees. “We understand why residents care deeply about the island’s trees; we share that concern. That’s why we’ve planted more than 800 new trees and preserved over 500, resulting in a net increase in canopy,” the statement read. “We’ll continue this approach, with plans to plant more than double the trees we remove, if the variance is approved.”
However, many residents, including Roman, expressed skepticism about the developer’s replanting efforts. “That’s just to esthetically make a commercial rental property look a little more curb appealing,” Roman argued, emphasizing that it wouldn’t replace what is being lost.
Concerns About Precedents
Rita Hammond, another resident, warned that the approval of this variance could set a dangerous precedent. “Every time there’s a variance that gets approved, it just sets another tone that you can just buy your way and develop more,” she said. “It’s not a good sign. It’s not a good look either for Charleston.”
Next Steps
With the Board of Zoning Appeals’ approval now official, tree removal is expected to begin in the coming weeks. Despite the developer’s promise to replant and preserve the island’s canopy, many residents remain concerned about the long-term impact on the island’s natural beauty and the continued development of the area.
