Residents still sour on newest plan for Folly, Camp roads

When plans for the intersection of Folly and Camp roads were presented in November, public reaction was so strong that Charleston County RoadWise went back to the drawing board.

Last week it presented a new option to residents who, based on their comments, were unimpressed.

One of the biggest complaints about the original plans created by RoadWise, the group that handles projects funded by the Transportation "Half-Cent" Sales Tax, was that they included removing 18 to 39 grand trees, which are defined as more than 2 feet in diameter.

So when residents showed up at the meeting last week, some expected to see a plan that would remove far fewer trees. Instead, the new alternative calls for removing 30.

About 60 people attended the meeting held at James Island Charter High School. Of the 16 who spoke, 14 were opposed to major aspects of RoadWise's plans, both new and old.

"We don't need to destroy all the trees on this island in an effort to (improve traffic)," said James Island resident Van Fleming during the public comment period. "I hope they put everything on hold until you come up with something decent."

Rod Welch, chair of the James Island Public Service District Commission, said he is opposed to cutting down two of the last remaining canopies on the island and urged RoadWise to consider a "minimalist solution" for the intersection.

"There are some modest things we can do that will improve it greatly at a much lower cost in money and trees," he said.

RoadWise's Peter Valiquette presented the two original alternatives, as well as the new one, which was largely based on residents' comments, he said.

Unlike the first two alternatives, the new alternative:

-- Does not include an exclusive right-turn lane on southbound Folly Road.

-- Does not include an exclusive right-turn lane on eastbound Camp Road.

-- Includes longer dual receiving lanes on Camp Road (extending 1,000 feet east instead of ending at Bradford Avenue).

It also does not include bicycle lanes and sidewalks on Camp Road, which is called for in one of the original alternatives but not the other.

All three of the alternatives include:

-- Dual left-turn lanes on southbound Folly Road.

-- Bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides of Folly Road.

-- Exclusive left-turn lanes on eastbound and westbound Camp Road.

Resident John Robinson praised RoadWise and the STV design firm for their work, and said they looked at the project as engineers should, for aspects of safety and movement of vehicles.

The trees are important, but could be replaced by planting others on Camp Road, Robinson said.

Something needs to be done to improve traffic flow at the intersection, particularly for emergency vehicles trying to get through, Robinson said. "An extra minute sitting there at Camp and Folly could cost somebody his life."

Valiquette said that based on public comments after the November meeting, more people were concerned with "traffic improvements" (32 percent) than "tree impacts" (24 percent).

But at the recent meeting, the topic of trees dominated comments.

"We all understand there is going to be a loss of trees, but this is a profound loss of trees," said Robin Welch, co-founder and vice president of Islanders for Responsible Expansion. She questioned the worth of a project that would not bring the intersection above a failing grade.

Tom Read said the laws protecting grand trees are in place for a reason, and questioned RoadWise's use of the term "impact" when it referred to affected trees.

"You obviously didn't want to use the word 'cut down' or 'destroy,' " Read said. "I think that would be a little more honest."

Valiquette said the proposed changes were scaled back significantly from what the intersection needs to save trees.

RoadWise also is proposing changes to two other James Island intersections: Folly Road and Eugene Gibbs Street/River Point Row, and Folly Road and Oak Point/Ellis Oak Avenue. The three alternatives are identical in their recommendations for those intersections:

-- Realign Eugene Gibbs Street and River Point Row to allow through lanes to line up with each other across Folly Road.

-- Add an exclusive left-turn lane on Eugene Gibbs Street.

-- Add an exclusive left-turn lane and an exclusive right-turn lane on River Point Row.

-- Add left-turn signals to the traffic signal cycle at Folly and Oak Point Road/Ellis Oak Avenue intersection.

Comments on the project will be accepted through May 30. Valiquette said RoadWise will look at the major concerns, modify the proposals if feasible and then make a presentation to Charleston County Council. It has not been decided if another public meeting will be held.

To comment, visit ccroadwise.com or write to Charleston County RoadWise, 4401 Belle Oaks Drive, Suite 105, North Charleston, SC 29405.

Reach Kristen Hankla at 937-5548 or khankla@postandcourier.com.