Hilton Head mayor backs off airport tree-trimming plan

Hilton Head Island Mayor Tom Peeples backed off a proposed amendment to the town's land management ordinance that would have made it easier to trim trees at the island's airport.

After Community Development Director Charles Cousins described the amendment, Peeples asked for a moment to address the audience, gathered for a public hearing on the matter Tuesday night.

Peering over his glasses, he said of the proposed changes,"I will be the first to admit, the first stab at that (change) overstated where we needed to go. Council members registered concern with the extreme measure of the change."

The changes would have allowed the permanent removal of trees within airplane approach paths, with the exception of those trees that create a buffer for wetlands or nearby properties.

Peeples on Tuesday proposed less drastic changes.

"We still need to find a way to expedite the tree-removal process," he said, suggesting the vegetation be pruned to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The trees would then be reexamined at ten-year intervals to determine if they'd grown into the flight path again.

Peeples also proposed an "earthen berm" as a sound barrier at the end of airport property to protect St. James Baptist Church from noise.

However, a motion to delete a planned vote on the changes from the agenda didn't stop residents from having their say.

Reverend Charles Hamilton of the St. James Baptist Church read a prepared statement opposing any changes to the current amendment. He cited the impact tree cutting could have on the safety of his congregation. "The church and the town have coexisted for years, and we can continue to coexist if these changes do not go through," he said. That statement was met with applause, which Peeples silenced by saying, "This is not a popularity contest."

Those who supported cutting the trees also cited safety concerns.

Graham Kerr, a member of the Beaufort County Airport board, turned to the crowd and said, "The FAA safety standards are real and intended to counter mortal threats." A pilot, Kerr was concerned about the possibility of accidents at the airport. "There is nothing quite as nasty as the smell of burning kerosene, aluminum, and flesh," he said, drawing murmurs from residents.

Speakers ran the gamut from those opposed to any changes to those advocating a permanent cutting of problem trees. Most fell somewhere in the middle.

Now the amendment returns to the Public Safety committee for review. Changes will be made, and it will be heard again by town council at the end of December, according to the Peeples.