SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) — The town is considering changes to the way trees are removed and replaced, giving homeowners and developers more flexibility while protecting the urban forest. The proposal is being discussed at Monday’s City Council briefing.
Two big changes:
• Commercial developers: The city would no longer provide an arborist. Developers would need to hire their own certified tree expert to assess trees for removal. Large projects would require an arborist report, which, combined with the town’s grading system, would determine which trees can be removed. This two-tier review puts more eyes on every tree before it comes down.
• Residential property owners: The Tree Replacement Fund, previously only for commercial projects, would now be open to residents. Homeowners could contribute to the fund instead of replanting every tree themselves. The money would go toward planting and maintaining trees elsewhere in town, allowing residents to mix and match — planting some trees on their property and supporting public plantings with the fund.
Jessi Shuler, the town’s planning director, says the proposal not only gives residents more choices but also allows the city to use the fund in new and more flexible ways…