Additional stories:   Foe says development endangers Angel Oak tree, published 08/07/08 A plan to develop homes and businesses on property adjacent to Charleston's Angel Oak Park will face its most outspoken opposition tonight, seven years after initial plans to develop the site were approved. It's a bit late to oppose the project — final plans were approved by the city in July — but opponents are expected to turn out at 5 p.m. for the zoning meeting. The developers are seeking permission to cut down 25 grand trees on the development property, and while opponents hope to block that request, what they really want to stop is the plan to develop businesses and 600 homes on the site. Angel Oak Village opponents claim the health of the famous Angel Oak is at stake. "Certified arborists have told us removal of grand trees surrounding the Angel Oak will expose it to sunscald and other elements and will ultimately cause it to die!!!" said an e-mail from savetheangeloak.com on Tuesday. Those who support the development, including the Coastal Conservation League, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and most members of City Council, are in agreement that the Angel Oak is appropriately protected. In 2005 the city threatened to buy the land unless developers agreed to large buffers, hydrology studies, and the hiring of an arborist chosen by the city. The Angel Oak tree sits within Charleston's fenced, 2-acre park, which would be surrounded by an additional 150-foot undisturbed buffer. Robert DeMoura of Angel Oak Village Development LLC said the protected trees the developers are seeking permission to remove are those identified as damaged or diseased by the arborist that the city required the developers to hire. So many foes of the development have contacted the city that tonight's zoning hearing will be held in the Charleston County School District's large board room at 75 Calhoun St. Johns Island resident Samantha Siegel has been leading the effort against the development since she learned about it this summer. "It's something that was pushed through really fast, and Johns Island residents were unaware of it," she said. "We're hoping to have the entire tract of land put into conservation." Her online petition drive has attracted 6,000 signatures.

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