Tree felling approval falls between oversight cracks, bypasses public comment; Wilmington Island, GA

Chain-saw diplomacy | SavannahNow.com
County should formalize MPC agreement to ensure openness.
THE CONTINUED vacancy of a cleared lot on Wilmington Island underscores the argument in favor of more public debate before a rush to fell canopy trees.
In March of last year, island residents learned of a decision to cut down two large oak trees on a lot at the corner of Johnny Mercer Boulevard and Penn Waller Road, owned by developer Bobby Chu.
To many on the eastside island, the move was underhanded: A site plan previously approved - and publicly debated - by the Metropolitan Planning Commission said one tree might be removed, not two (or three, as Mr. Chu also cleared a large tree on the interior of the lot).