GREEN Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA GREEN COMMISSION OCTOBER 15, 2024 MINUTES Staff Report Present: David Quick, Chair, Lia Colabello, Jim Westerhold, Mary Conley, Jaclyn Busching, Andrea Martin. Absent: Susan Johnson, Olivia Flynn. Rachel Honderd Staff: Michele Reed, Liz Boyles, Chris Lubert, Kevin Mitchell, Maeve Gimbert, Kara Browder, Kate Miller, Marissa Noble, Brad Morrison, Lynnette Lynes Mr. Quick called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm. A. Approval of Agenda Ms. Busching moved for approval of the agenda. Ms. Conley seconded the motion. All in favor. B. Approval of September Minutes Ms. Conley moved for approval of the minutes. Ms. Busching seconded the motion. All in favor. C. Public Comment Mr. James McKee, 1247 Palmetto Peninsula Dr., suggested that there is an opportunity to have a more active role in tree protection with the draft zoning code in the process of being approved. He stated that there is also the Community Forestry Master Plan (CFMP) that the GREEN Commission could take the lead in making sure those recommendations are implemented. He suggested that the main recommendation in the CFMP was to ensure there is a tree manager and suggested that this should be identified. Ms. Lisa Schniptke, 185 Mossy Oak, thanked the Commission for their efforts, particularly at the recent Symposium. She suggested that more trees should be planted throughout the Town. She suggested that the public should be more aware of the efforts of installing rain gardens throughout the Town. She suggested that the best way to reach the 30% tree canopy recommended in the CFMP would be to have the GREEN Commission oversee implementation of the recommendations.  GREEN Commission October 15, 2024 Page 2 of 3 Ms. Ryan Brody, 1690 William Hampton Way, stated that she is speaking for Diedre Kennedy on 971 Cliffwood Dr., who was not able to attend the meeting. Ms. Kennedy would like to have the changes to the tree ordinances delayed until more review has been completed. Ms. Kennedy is concerned that tree protection fencing is not required when a non-protected tree is being removed. She suggested that better enforcement of the tree ordinance and protection of the historic trees throughout the Town. She suggested that looking at ordinances regarding tree protection from surrounding communities should be reviewed. She suggested that more sustainability efforts should be considered. There being no further comments, Mr. Quick closed public comment. D. Impervious Surface Coverage Review Mr. Mitchell reviewed the impervious surface coverage in the Town with the Commission. Mr. Quick moved for approval to have staff pursue ideas discussed regarding impervious surface and to continue discussion in greater depth to decrease the amount of impervious surface in 2025. Ms. Busching seconded the motion. All in favor. E. Tree Canopy Restoration Proposals Mr. Lubert reviewed the applications with the Commission. Ms. Colabello left at this time (4:05 pm). Ms. Conley moved to ask staff to provide additional information on the viability of tree plantings for the following application areas: ➢ Carolina Park sport fields ➢ Cheryll Woods-Flowers soccer fields at Patriots Point ➢ R. L. Jones Center fields ➢ Patriots Point Nature Trail ➢ I-526/US17 corridor Mr. Westerhold seconded the motion. All in favor.  GREEN Commission October 15, 2024 Page 3 of 3 Mr. Westerhold left at this time (4:14 pm). There being no quorum, the Commission continued the meeting for discussion only. F. Written Report of Activities to Town Council Mr. Lubert reviewed the items that should be included in the report from the GREEN Commission to Town Council. He stated that the report should be completed by the January 2025 meeting. G. Comprehensive Plan Review Ms. Boyles reviewed the draft Comprehensive Plan with the Commission. H. Potential Agenda Items Mr. Lubert stated that this would be a recurring agenda item. I. Updates Mr. Lubert and Ms. Boyles provided an update for the Commission. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes GREENComsn10152024