Hilton Head tries to speed up process to clear trees near airport

Hilton Head Island officials want to fast-track rule changes that would allow Beaufort County to expedite tree cutting at the county-owned airport on the island to ensure safety and to comply with federal aviation guidelines.

The move, led by Mayor Tom Peeples, is intended to end a debate with Beaufort County that has simmered through the years over trees that protrude into the airport's flight-approach path.

Town officials say they want to relax rules to make it clear they aren't standing in the way of safety. County officials have told the town its rules hinder them from doing the work.

"I want to make this the simplest process, that even the county can follow," Peeples said Nov. 3 after staff presented the plan to the Town Council.

Simplifying the process of removing or trimming trees and vegetation near the airport, however, could meet resistance on an island that prides itself on protecting the environment. Town officials expect the issue to pit residents who want to ensure the viability of the airport against those concerned about the threat of environmental damage and increased noise.

"What a divisive issue that's going to be," Planning Commission Chairman Al Vadnais said Nov. 4 after his group heard town staff present the plan.

The Town Council took the first step toward adopting Peeples' proposal Nov. 3, voting to set a public hearing for Tuesday.

The county plans to work first on the north end of the airport before proceeding to the south end and then to the sides of the runway, county airports director Paul Andres said.

County officials estimate more than 2,300 trees would be affected on the north end. They have yet to survey the south end or the sides.

The county can do much of the work under current rules, but the new plan would make it less costly and time-consuming.

Andres said removing obstructions as soon as possible is "clearly, first and foremost, a safety issue.

"It's something we need to advance as quickly as we can."

The town's plan, drafted by staff at Peeples' request, would treat trees and vegetation differently on and off airport property.

In both cases, an arborist jointly hired by the county and town would direct all work. In some areas, the county would be required to plant replacement trees and vegetation that would not grow back into the approach path.

Off airport property, the county seeks to cut and trim trees that are in the approach path or could grow into the path. Peeples' plan would allow that, although it requires the county to either obtain an easement from an affected property owner or file condemnation papers on any parcel where work is proposed.

On airport property, the county had asked to leave an "open pasture" on airport property to make recurring maintenance easier and less costly, Peeples said.

Although the first version of Peeples' plan would have allowed clear-cutting except in buffers, around wetlands and along neighboring roads and property lines, he said late last week he had reconsidered.

Noting such clear-cutting would be "really out of character" for the island, Peeples said Friday he wants to require the county to plant replacement trees and vegetation there instead.

He also wants the county to build a berm to shield St. James Baptist Church from noise.

He said he hopes those adjustments would limit noise and impact to wetlands.

"I think that's going to make the whole thing less controversial," Peeples said.

Comments from other town officials and residents such as Perry White prompted the adjustments, Peeples said.

White lives on Beach City Road near the airport and spoke during the Nov. 3 meeting. He urged the council to weigh its decades-long history of protecting trees when considering the plan.

"Are we now like, 'Let's just do it?' " White asked.