Myrtle Beach board OKs oak removal

An 80-year-old tree in Myrtle Beach will soon be removed to make way for a new development along Ocean Boulevard, despite impassioned pleas from residents concerned the city is losing its heritage and history.

The Myrtle Beach Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously voted Thursday to allow the Ocean7 developers to remove the live oak that stands in the Westgate resort parking lot along Yaupon Drive between Sixth and Seventh avenues south.

The oak is part of a three-trunk cluster, and its crown takes up about a third of the Ocean7 lot, where construction has already begun on the work-live development.

Arborist Bill Bruner of Forestree Consultants said the tree is diseased, showing signs of rot, and its removal will probably have a positive impact on the other trees that share its cluster.

He said there's no way to trim the tree enough for the development without seriously damaging it, either.

About 10 people showed up at Thursday's meeting, most in support of the tree remaining where it is.

Tom Lorenz said the development is needed and the project is good, but the tree is a critical part of its habitat, even if it is rotting as an arborist hired by the developers testified.

"It's one tree, and it might not mean much to you, but it means a whole lot to that microenvironment," Lorenz said. "The city should be protecting every landmark it's got left. The small pieces add up - we've seen the area clear cut for one more beachwear store, one more resort."

Amy Todd, who owns a condo at the Holiday Tower across the street from the tree, spoke too.

She said the city hasn't retained enough of what drew people here in the first place, and asked if the designers could incorporate the tree into the project's plans.

"Sometimes you have to look at something besides money," she told them.

Resident David Galfetti said he is sorry to see the tree go, but thinks the development is needed and is a quality project. He spoke in support of removing the tree.

The eight board members questioned architect Craig Marz from Working Designs, who is helping design the project, about whether he had tried to find a way to save the tree.

"We had group meetings about it," he said. "We tried everything we could think of, but it's just not feasible to incorporate those plans and keep the developer within the profit margin he's got to hit," Marz said. "He's spending a lot of money on this project, especially in this economy.

"We're hoping this project will be the one that others will look at and say, 'They were really trying to make a difference in the community,' and follow suit."

Board Chairman Reuben Hyman said it's not that the board members are against development, "we'd just like to have a little tighter hold on it."

A portion of the discussion was devoted to the mitigation the city requires when removing a landmark tree. Ocean7 will have to plant seven new trees, each 4 inches in diameter, of a protected species.

They said the plan is to make planters in the Westgate parking lot for the new trees, but if the lot cannot accommodate all seven, the developer will have to pay the city for the balance of the trees to be planted elsewhere in Myrtle Beach.

Jeff King, attorney for Ocean7 and the Westgate, said the resorts' owners OK'd the tree-removal plans.

Some appeals board members said removing the old oak and planting new trees is a proactive approach that will serve future generations.

Ocean7 developer Eric Grebara said he hates to lose the old oak, too, and consoled Todd after the meeting.

Todd was philosophical about losing the battle.

"I understand what they are saying," she said. "I don't like it, but I can live with it."