While the Merry Bells keep ringing

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Are Hopefully Done

Now that we are into December, I will be removing the Hurricane and Tropical Storm information. Seem like we were very lucky this year, and let's hope our luck continues throughout the following years to come. Remember, if the coastal/hurricane area can avoid expensive damage and keep insurance claims low to zero, our insurance rates will hopefully drop to match our HOA budget. The hurricane information will return later this year, when the season returns.

Now That's Interesting

Did you know?

Between 25-30 million real, natural trees are sold each year. A growing awareness of environmental sustainability among the millennials compared to artificial variants increased the demand for natural Christmas trees, which has augmented the sales of fresh-cut real Christmas trees in the region in recent years.

The North America Christmas Tree Market size is expected to grow from USD 1.33 billion in 2023 to USD 1.64 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 4.28% during the forecast period (2023-2028).

Growing Consciousness Toward Environmental Sustainability

• Artificial trees are manufactured from several types of plastic and metal. Processing these components takes significant energy and causes significant pollution. sustainability and eco-friendliness are becoming increasingly important factors in consumer purchase decisions, particularly among younger generations.
• As such, the demand for environmentally-friendly products, including real Christmas trees, will continue to rise in the coming years. This factor further corroborates a shortage in the domestic supply in the region, as trees, once planted, need 7-10 years to grow. Although a sizeable portion of trees planted in eastern Canada is shipped to the United States every year, demand in the destined market still outpaces the exports.
• Real Christmas trees can also be recycled for a considerable amount of time without any underlying environmental threat and can be turned into mulch or biofuel. With a declining number of farms amid a shortage in operations by senior farmers, a new wave of young farmers is expected to fill the documented gap in the country, thus stabilizing the domestic supply in response to the growing demand in the coming years.

So, just to be upfront.... I have an artificial tree.

Source: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/north-america-christmas-tree-market

Seeing Our Community Flourish

Indigo Hall Community celebrate the holidays with the addition of holiday wreaths. I want to thank Brian and Sara Yuncker for their generosity in purchasing the beautiful wreaths.

Just A Reminder

Many people are decorating their homes for the holidays, but pet owners should be aware that some plants used for holiday decorating can be dangerous to cats and dogs. Understanding which plants are toxic, and which are not, can help bring home the festive spirit and avoid danger for pets.

One of the most popular holiday plants often considered poisonous are poinsettias. But in fact, they are “non” to “mildly” toxic and do not deserve their bad reputation. Pets that ingest poinsettias generally have no clinical signs or mild gastrointestinal discomfort. A mild rash may develop if rubbed on the skin, but they are considered safe to keep in the home. Dr. Dorothy Black, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVM), explained, “Poinsettias are usually referred to as highly toxic, but they really aren’t. Feel free to display them at Christmas.” 

Mistletoe, on the other hand, can be quite poisonous to pets. If ingested, pets may experience gastrointestinal upset, or show clinical signs of poisoning such as a change in mental function, difficulty breathing, or a low heart rate. "If you see these symptoms in your pet and suspect or know they ingested mistletoe, you should seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible,” Black said. “Mistletoe shouldn’t be used where pets could possibly reach it.”

Another holiday decorative plant, holly, can be dangerous for pets and is considered poisonous. Clinical symptoms may be displayed as vomiting, diarrhea, decreased energy, and general upset stomach. Owners should seek veterinary assistance if they suspect their pets of ingesting holly.

Amaryllis and Daffodils are also considered poisonous for pets. If ingested, pets may vomit, appear depressed, or show signs of a painful abdomen and a loss of appetite.

“Some pets who consume amaryllis or daffodils will show symptoms of tremors,” Black said. “This can be a sign of severe toxicity.”

Lilies are particularly toxic to cats. The ingestion of any part of any type of lily can lead to kidney failure. The clinical signs can include vomiting, depression, or loss of appetite. If you suspect your cat of ingesting lilies, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. There is no antidote, and intense supportive care is needed for cats to recover.

“The more toxic the plant, the more careful you should be with displaying them in your home. While Poinsettias and Christmas trees are generally safe for pets, holly, mistletoe, amaryllis, daffodils, and lilies should be considered quite toxic,” Black said. “Pets should not be allowed to come in contact with poisonous holiday plants, and if they are displayed in the home they should be kept out of reach, and pet’s behavior should be monitored to make sure they do not show symptoms of poisoning.”

Which Holiday Plants are Toxic to Dogs? | Modern Dog magazine

Our Next-Door Communities

AN UPDATE TO THIS PREVIOUS ARTICLE 

At a public hearing before Charleston County Council about thirty residents spoke out against proposed zoning changes requested by Charleston County's Public Works Department.  No one spoke in favor of the changes.

The Charleston County Planning Commission voted to disapprove the proposed "Health and Wellness Village" on Betsy Kerrison Parkway.  It now goes to County Council. 

I will continue to monitor any information pertaining to this new development. I will keep this article up for December to allow anyone who have not reviewed it to do so.

A high density planned development is proposed for Betsy Kerrison Parkway near Kiawah Town Hall.  The development ... which would allow professional and medical offices, general services, retail, restaurants, and multi-family housing ... goes by the name "Island Park Place Health & Wellness Village".  

Under current zoning, no more than 53 houses could be built.  Due to the location of the wetlands, it is likely that the actual number of houses would be less than that.

Although some of the occupants of the development could be medical in nature, this is not an actual medical facility such as the Trident Medical Center to be built on Maybank Highway or the MUSC medical facility to be built near Freshfields.

As is abundantly clear in the site plan graphic above, this would be a very high-density development.  It would consist of 14 two- and three-story buildings, a parking garage, a private wastewater treatment plant, roadways and parking for 557 vehicles.  To accomplish this the developer proposes to fill in up to 2.5 acres of wetlands and cut down 12 grand trees.

The remaining parcel would primarily consist of the required buffers, stormwater ponds and what remains of the wetlands.  This does not remotely resemble the bucolic wellness campus the developer had described in the past.

It would be a 159,846 sq-ft mixed use development, which would include 18 multi-family units (e.g. apartments).  In comparison, Freshfields is 192,000 sq-ft, which would make this development about 83% the size of Freshfields.

If the developer cannot make a go at it, it would revert to General Office (GO) zoning.  This zoning would allow even more by-right uses, including hotels and motels.  It appears that it is solely up to the developer to decide that they cannot make a go of it.  We asked you to give us your views on the proposed "Health and Wellness Village" proposed for Betsy Kerrison Parkway.  This proposed development would be located just north of Kiawah Town Hall. 

Note that this is NOT the Trident Medical Center proposed for Maybank Highway or the MUSC medical facility proposed for near Freshfields. The survey showed overwhelming opposition to the rezoning.  This was the case for both those from Johns Island as well as those from Kiawah and Seabrook Islands. This rezoning will come before the Charleston County Planning Commission on Monday, November 13, at 2:00 pm. A notice from the Johns Island Advocate will be send out an action alert once the application package becomes available. This should be at least a week before the meeting.  The action alert will include where to send your comments and the location of the meeting. 

We continue to be encouraged by the number of residents of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands who are in solidarity with Johns Islanders.  (The Johns Island Advocate)

Final Image of the Month

Rick, Allison, Kathy and Erin

Wanted to wish my family and everyone here a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year. 

The blog will be short this month. I have been busy with various activities that have taken away from my writing time. With the holiday seasons approaching, Decembers blogs will be short, but will return to full, hard hitting, kicking butt and taking names blog in January... hmmmmm or maybe just some dog photos and fun stuff......