Roof Repair in Isle of Palms, SC

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) - The Isle of Palms could be saying goodbye to hundreds of namesake palmetto trees because of their proximity to overhead powerlines.

Unlike an oak tree, where crews can cleave or cut branches, palmetto trees cannot be trimmed for height in the same way. They eventually could grow to create hazards for power lines, linemen and arborists.

537 of them are now marked with red dots, facing removal from city properties, businesses and homes.

“The palmetto is really part of our identity and our namesake. It really is a loss for us at a time when we need to be adding back in more trees and living things, among other things, to help with drainage resiliency and quality of life,” Susan Hill Smith said.

Smith is a former city representative and a long-time homeowner. Two of her neighbors have palmettos that will eventually be gone.

“It’s not just trees in the public right of way that will be impacted,” Smith said. “Landscapers, property owners. Take time to consider when you’re planting new trees or palmettos, that you’re not planting them where they’ll come into contact with powerlines.”

292 of the historic trees fall into Category One, meaning they will be up for immediate removal in the next few months. The rest fall into Category Two, meaning they do not pose an immediate risk, but are being monitored.

Nearly one-third of the island has converted overhead powerlines to underground. The proposal to remove trees has ignited a push to bring the change to remaining parts of the city.

“When I became mayor three years ago, it was a high priority for me to start attacking it,” Pounds said. “Dominion Energy has a cautionary program where you can put lines underground. About four years ago, we identified five projects to take them underground.”

The Palmetto is considered one of the defining features of South Carolina. Its logs built the fort on Sullivan’s Island that protected soldiers against the British Royal Navy in 1776.

It also served as a symbol of resilience for the Lowcountry after Hurricane Hugo devastated homes and businesses. The Plant-a-Palm program hoisted a historic marker on Palm Boulevard to show the impact of replanting and preserving the iconic tree.

Several of those trees are also facing removal.

“It is resilient,” Smith said. “It is a native tree that is supposed to be here.”

City leaders plan to discuss the topic with Dominion Energy into the new year. This includes the consideration of a comprehensive plan that slows the removal of trees and lessens the impact. The group would also consider cost projections to move the powerlines underground.

“They’re obviously important, aesthetically and historically to our island. We’ll do everything we can to save as many as we can. But then again, what do you want? The beauty, or do you want the power to your house to make sure it stays on? You want the reliability of the service,” Pounds said.

Dominion Energy comes in five-year cycles to analyze the area and cut trees as needed.

The next Environmental Advisory Committees will be on Dec. 12 and Feb. 13. There will also be a City Council meeting on Jan. 28.

Dominion Energy spokesperson Paul Fischer said:

While we certainly understand and appreciate the passion surrounding palmetto trees across our coastal communities, safety remains our top priority. Trees that have grown too close to overhead lines and other facilities are a fire hazard and an issue of employee and public safety. Our goal is not to remove trees but to remove risk.

Dominion Energy is always willing to consider underground lines if the construction is technically feasible, system reliability is not compromised and there is a mechanism in place to cover the cost. Every project is unique, and each requires a thorough, detailed feasibility and engineering study to determine the true scope of work.

We will continue to work cooperatively with our municipal partners as they consider their next steps in the process.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) Almost 300 palmetto trees will be removed from the Isle of Palms for safety from powerlines.

Dominion Energy has identified hundreds of trees to be removed across the island because of their proximity to a power line.

Every five years tree removals are required for ensured use of powerlines around the island. Recently, Dominion Energy removed and trimmed trees from Mount Pleasant and Sullivan’s Island, and now it’s Isle of Palms turn.

“Its a balance between consistency of service and reliability of service versus aesthetics,” said Isle of Palms Mayor Phillip Pounds.

About a third of Isle of Palms powerlines are underground. Dominion Energy identified 292 palmetto trees for removal that will begin November 11th. Trees that will be coming down are currently marked with a red spot.

“Palmetto trees that have grown too close to overgrown lines are both a fire hazard and an issue of employee and public safety,” said Dominion spokesperson Paul Fischer.

The project will take several months but is set to be finished before next year’s hurricane season begins.

“Trees and tree limbs are the number one reason for power outages across our system so particularly this is important throughout the year but especially during hurricane season,” said Fischer.

Some city council members were disappointed about the high number of trees cut down. Council member Jan Anderson asked if they could be replaced with more trees away from hazardous areas which a Dominion Energy rep answered they would take that request back to the company.

“It’s really about consistency of service from dominion, making sure the lines are clear and there is nothing messing with the transmission of electricity to our homes and businesses.” said Pounds.

This is the first phase of tree removal. In the second phase an additional 200 trees will be scheduled for removal.

Read Next >

Charleston Public Safety Committee addresses homelessness in the city

Read Next >

Next story

Read Next >

Charleston Public Safety Committee addresses homelessness in the city

in

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) – Three candidates vying for an open seat on Isle of Palms City Council gave voters an opportunity Monday night to hear what they want to accomplish if elected to council.

The candidates were asked about three main issues for this election: beach erosion, short-term rentals, and residents’ quality of life.

The special election comes after former city councilwoman Elizabeth Campsen resigned from her position because she was moving off the island. Former council members Susan Smith and Rusty Streetman announced their candidacies shortly after, followed by newcomer Joshua Hooser.

Voters sent in questions asking about the plan for the future of the beaches. Candidate Susan Smith helped create the environmental advisory committee. She told the potential voters that if elected she wants to get to work on flooding resiliency and beach erosion.

“It’s only going to get more urgent as we see sea level rise and more storm intensity more flooding, and bigger king tides those are significant to have viable livable communities in the coming decades but at the same, there are lots of opportunities to do quality of life initiative and make sure everybody here is enjoying the natural resources,” said Smith.

Rusty Streetman said during the forum his top priority was stormwater drainage. He cited his experience on council working on drainage projects as why voters should re-elect him.

“We continue to have very significant drainage issues on the island we finished some outfall work which has really helped us down on the coastal waterway but we still have a lot of stormwater issues on Palms Blvd. and the interior of the isle where we have the drainage issues that need to be cleaned out, so they flow better,” said Streetman.

Candidates were asked their stance on short-term rentals which, Hooser says is a top priority.

“There a lot of short-term rentals and a decline of residents and houses that are getting bought are being bought by out-of-town investors and they’re either bulldozing or renovating them and pricing people out of the neighborhood and I want to have a city where my kids can grow up and can stay and afford a house to live and I’m hoping to be a new generation and a voice for the future,” said Hooser.

The forum was hosted at the Isle of Palms Exchange Club and sponsored by Lucky Dog Publishing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.