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Planning commission approves multiple ZLDR amendments on trees, fill and stormwater; sends packages to County Council
Summary
The Charleston County Planning Commission approved a set of proposed amendments to the Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance addressing tree definitions and protections, fill and setbacks, road and drainage plan timing, and violation mitigation fees, and will forward the package to County Council for hearings.
Planning staff presented a package of proposed changes to the Charleston County Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance intended to implement the comprehensive plan, reduce Board of Zoning Appeals caseload, and improve resilience and consistency with neighboring jurisdictions. Staff said the amendments clarify distinctions between clearing and grubbing, add standards for fill and setbacks, tighten road and drainage plan sequencing, require as-built surveys and stormwater maintenance covenants before final plat approval, and revise tree-protection language.
Wynn Carlisle (planning staff) explained several specifics: the draft would require BZA approval to remove trunks, major branches or stems with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 8 inches or greater when originating below 4.5 feet, and would allow administrative approval for certain tree encroachments with an approved arborist plan of up to 35%. Carlisle also said the mitigation-fee approach was set by looking at surrounding jurisdictions and referenced a figure of $250 per inch for a particular mitigation fee calculation.
Commissioners asked technical questions about how fill and setback approvals would be handled and whether public works already reviews such items as part of permitting. Staff said the fill/setback permissions would be handled case-by-case and that some of the changes aligned with public works’ practices. Commissioner Davis questioned the new DBH threshold; staff explained the 8-inch figure is used so that multi-trunk trees count correctly toward a tree’s cumulative diameter calculations.
The commission voted by roll call to approve the package of amendments and forward them to County Council. The roll call recorded ayes from Commissioners Davis, Hussain, Jones, McConnell, Morris and Vice Chair Pilatos. Planning staff said County Council will hold a public hearing on 08/26/2025 and the Planning and Public Works Committee will review the package on 09/11/2025; council-level approval requires up to three readings at council’s discretion.
Staff noted public input was limited during the commission hearing; the record included one comment for each amendment listed in the staff report. Planning staff present for follow up included Kyle Foster (trees) and Chris Wanamaker (public works). The commission directed staff to proceed with forwarding the amendments to County Council for formal consideration.
