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James Island BZA approves removal of two Laurel Oaks for proposed Roper St. Francis ER with arborist conditions
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a variance to remove two grand Laurel Oak trees at 832 Folly Road to build an ~11,000 sq ft Roper St. Francis freestanding emergency department, subject to staff recommendations and mandatory arborist measures including tree barricades, pruning and inch‑for‑inch mitigation.
The Town of James Island Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously to approve variance BZAV‑10‑25‑045, allowing removal of two grand Laurel Oak trees at 832 Folly Road so a freestanding Roper St. Francis emergency department can be built there. Chair David Savage read staff findings and the board attached staff recommendations plus the full suggestions from the submitted arborist report as mandatory conditions for approval.
Town staff presented the application and the ordinance standards the board must apply under the Town of James Island Zoning and Land Development Regulations Ordinance §153.049 and §153.334(e). Staff identified the two trees as a 25.5‑inch and a 27‑inch diameter at breast height Laurel Oak and recommended conditions including installation of tree barricades during construction, certified‑arborist pruning and fertilization prior to permits, and submission of an inch‑for‑inch mitigation plan to the zoning administrator. Mr. Hemmer, the town administrator, summarized those findings for the record.
Applicant representatives said the proposed building is just under 11,000 square feet and that the site plan was driven by parking, emergency access and overlay requirements. "We want to be able to provide the James Island residents with emergency services that they currently get at Roper," said Charles Fletcher, vice president of real estate and construction for Roper St. Francis Healthcare. The applicant also confirmed the site will provide 54 parking spaces per the town standard for health‑care uses (one space per 200 square feet) plus ADA stalls and that underground detention and pervious paving are being considered for stormwater.
Multiple residents testified both in support and opposition. Stephanie Tucker, a 37‑year James Island resident, said, "When there's a medical emergency, minutes count" and described a 2024 experience in which quick transport to Roper saved her husband's life. Neighbors who opposed the request cited traffic, safety near Martin's Barbecue, and increased flooding risk as reasons to deny removal of mature trees. The board heard both sets of concerns before deliberating.
After discussion about whether the variance would harm the public good and about parking and safety impacts, the board concluded the application met the ordinance criteria and approved the variance. The motion to approve (made by Joshua Hayes and seconded by Sheila Blair) included the requirement that the applicant follow staff recommendations and implement all suggestions in the arborist report. The chair said the applicant will receive written notice of the decision within 10 working days.
