Piper and Glen Fast Facts

Bald Eagle lifespan is 20-30 years.

Glen is smaller than Piper in fact female bald eagles typically weigh 10 to 15 pounds, while males weigh 6 to 9 pounds.

Photo Courtesy of Frank Vasto All Rights Reserved.

We think Glen is Piper's second mate and they have been together for the last eight seasons. (Yes Eagles mate for life).

Photo Courtesy of Frank Vasto All Rights Reserved.

Sometime during January Piper laid her eggs and they hatched on February 25th.

Their territory is approximately 1/2 mile in all directions from their nest.

Photo Courtesy of Frank Vasto All Rights Reserved.

As Eagles go, they have adapted to a relatively small territory of just over 830 Acres, bounded by Pineville / Matthews Road to the north and I-485 to the south. Then nearly to Raintree on the east and to just across Elm Lane to the west. 

Bald Eagles generally nest near water with territories that range from 2 and ½ square miles to as large as 15 square miles. By comparison Piper and Glen's territory is a very small 1 and ½ square miles.

This includes 4 large ponds; Gillespie Pond, Piper Glen Lake, Glynmoor Lake and Madison's Pond on No. 9 as well as 8 smaller minor ponds. 

Approximately 40% of their territory is tree canopy 

The destruction of the Gillespie property would mean a loss of nearly half the tree cover and one primary pond. Damage to wetlands that surround the Gillespie property would be immeasurable.

Piper on her nest:

                             

Photo Courtesy of Frank Vasto All Rights Reserved.

North Carolina Eagle Facts:

In 1982, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission began the North Carolina Bald Eagle Project. 

One of the first objectives of this project was a “hacking” program, which involved raising eagles in captivity and reintroducing them into the wild. 

Young eagles were released from artificial nests near Lake Mattamuskeet in Hyde County. Commission biologists released 29 juvenile bald eagles near the lake from 1983 through 1988. 

These juveniles were monitored intensely around the lake. In 1984, North Carolina’s first post-DDT wild bald eagle nest was documented just seven miles from Lake Mattamuskeet. 

Today, biologists monitor over 80 eagle nesting territories in the state.

North Carolina's total Bald Eagle population may number as high as 400, with most the population either in the west and mountains or on the eastern coast. Within the Piedmont there may be as few as 80. 

North Carolina is far behind states like Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida which has as many as 1,500 nesting pairs. Which makes South Charlotte's Piper and Glen pretty rare birds

Eagle News From Elsewhere: Bald eagle found unable to fly Rescuers race to save her from poisoning

A bald eagle that was found poisoned and too weak to fly is in critical condition in a Massachusetts animal hospital. 

The female bird was discovered on the ground in distress at a cemetery in Arlington on Feb. 27, according to a statement from the New England Wildlife Center. 

She was transported to the wildlife center and the veterinary staff began stabilizing her.

A poisoned bald eagle is in “very rough shape” after being found in a Massachusetts cemetery. 

Photo from the New England Wildlife Center

When admitted, she was “severely anemic, lethargic, and (barely) able to stand.” A physical examination and lab work strongly indicated that she had consumed a rodent that had ingested rat poison, according to the wildlife center.

“We have started treatments to help counteract the clotting effects the poison causes as well as fluids, pain meds, and oxygen support,” the wildlife center said. 

The eagle was monitored throughout the night, and “remains in very rough shape,” according to a Feb. 28 update from the wildlife center. Veterinary staff hope her condition will improve soon. Animals are regularly exposed to food tainted with rodent poison, which triggers uncontrollable bleeding, the wildlife center said.

The bird, known as MK, gained a wide following in Massachusetts, the wildlife center said. She and her mate, known as KZ, reside near the Mystic River and are viewed as an “ecological success story.” Bald eagle populations declined precipitously in America in the 1950s and 1960s on account of the extensive use of DDT, a toxic pesticide, according to the Massachusetts Audubon Society. 

The federal government banned DDT in 1972, and bald eagle populations across the country have recovered. In recent years, several bald eagle nests have been documented in Massachusetts, according to the audubon society.

Rea Road Widening Approved

From WCCB:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Relief is on the way for drivers in south Charlotte. City council voted Monday night to widen Rea Rd around the Stonecrest shopping center.

“It’s busy. It’s stressful sometimes. You never know how long it’s going to take,” said Sadie Young.

Briana Moore works at Dolce Lusso Salon and Spa located inside Stone Crest shopping center.

“Honestly, getting to the bank which is 7 minutes down the road has taken me 30 minutes to get down the road sometimes. So, that’s a little bit insane to me,” explained Moore.

Moore says the terrible traffic causes clients to be late for appointments.

“I always tell people. Hey I have a lot of people stuck in traffic, so please be aware of that one coming to your appointments,” Moore said.

Charlotte City Council voted to allocate nearly $14,000,000 to add lanes on Rea Road stretching from 485 Outer Loop Ramp to Williams Pond Lane.

Nearly half of the money will come from a state grant Charlotte is eligible for because of the I-485 Express Lanes. The rest is city funding.

The project will also add left and right turn lanes at Piper Station and Ballantyne Commons Parkway.

Construction isn’t expected to begin until 2026.

RRNC Why It Matters to Us:

Charlotte City Council clearly understands the troublesome traffic situation in South Charlotte and along Rea Road in particular. The vote to spend $14 million is a poignant acknowledgment of Charlotte's planning failures in the past.

Adding an additional 4,000 motor vehicle movements from the Gillespie Rezoning Request alone is counterintuitive. Yet when combined with NCDOT's plans to "funnel" even more traffic from northern Union County on to Rea Road via both Providence Road and NC 84, and now you have the makings of an irreversible traffic planning error. 

From the City of Charlotte:

Project overview

​This project will increase capacity along Rea Road by utilizing the right turn lane drops and median to develop an additional northbound and southbound through-lane along Rea Road between the ramps at I-485 and Williams Pond Lane.This project will also increase turn-lane capacity and improve the intersection at Piper Station Drive and Ballantyne Commons Parkway. Pedestrian safety and mobility will also be maintained by providing sidewalks on both sides of Rea Road. Other specific improvements include curb and gutter, accessible ramps and driveways.

In short, while this is good news for South Charlotte it doesn't address the obvious issue of far too much development in an area that has long been mismanaged by the city with regards to roads, infrastructure and housing.

Did you know there are only 400 Bald Eagles In North Carolina?

Depending on who you ask there are maybe as few 192 nesting pairs in North Carolina, mainly in the mountains and along the coast. The Piedmont may have as few as 40 total nesting pairs total.

According to many sources Piper and Glen are the only pair in southern Mecklenburg County with the only other nesting pair said to be in the Meck-Neck area of Lake Norman.

There may be more or not at all, but if you think about it, if there are other pairs great, but this is the only pair within the Rea Road Area that is under threat.

This morning Frank Vasto who lives in nearby Raintree and posts wonderful wildlife photos on NextDoor spent some time watching Glen and Piper this morning. He sent this photo of Glen heading out to pick up "take home".

Photo Courtesy of Frank Vasto All Rights Reserved.

Given the proximity of the Gillespie Project to Piper and Glen's home and the construction time line that has been proposed it is doubtful this pair will put up with the endless intrusion.

You can sign the petition and send a message to Charlotte City Council that development at the expense of wildlife is unacceptable here. 

NOTE: The above data derived from the following sources:

A-Z Animals Bald Eagle Population By State

US Fish and Wildlife Service 2020 Bald Eagle Population 2020

Wildlife Informer 

TPC Piper Glen an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary - Tournament Players Club Piper Glen

Did you know that the TPC Piper Glen Golf Course was the first golf course in the Carolina's awarded this prestigious designation?

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program is an award winning education and certification program that helps golf courses protect our environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. 

Every day more than 100 golfers will pass this sign 

few even notice the two eagles in the distance.

By helping people enhance the valuable natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide, improve efficiency, and minimize potentially harmful impacts of golf course operations, the program serves an important environmental role worldwide. 

What is the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf? 

Through collaborative efforts begun in 1991 with the United States Golf Association, membership in the ACSP has steadily grown to now include approximately 2,000 golf courses in the United States and three dozen countries worldwide. 

Audubon International provides information and guidance to help golf course personnel with six key environmental components: 

• Site Assessment/Environmental Planning 

• Wildlife and Habitat Management 

• Chemical Use Reduction and Safety 

• Water Conservation 

• Water Quality Management 

• Outreach and Education 

We are proud of TPC Piper Glen's Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Designation and the course staff's relentless efforts to maintain the property as a resource for the game of golf and as stewards of the priceless natural habitat that the Piper Glen golf course occupies. 

Sign Our Petition to Charlotte City Council Here

Please Sign Our Petition Here

Update No. 4

Good Morning Rea Road Neighbors!

UPDATE: Gillespie Property Rezoning Request

(The NextDoor treads concerning the Rezoning have become unmanageable (But that is Awesome) even so later today I will close all the prior posts to further comments and just leave one open. That way we can all stay up to date)   

Here's the update:

More than 3,000 concerned Charlotte citizens have signed the VOTE NO Petition. 

Piper Glen HOAs are working with the Piper Glen Master HOA to present a unified Response.

I have spoken with a dozen or more area HOAs that also object to the proposed Rezoning.

I have also communicated with several conservation groups willing to help STOP this Project.

WBTV produced a 3 minute segment on the proposed Rezoning and Piper Glen's objections. You can watch the WBTV news story here.

Overall the the objections seems to have three main concerns:

First Infrastructure can't handle the proposed density

Second the project is unreasonable and not in keeping with the character of the surrounding neighborhoods.

Thirdly the environmental impact will be staggering, causing irreversible damage to the area.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Sign the petition here.

Email Charlotte City Council a list of their email addresses and phone numbers is here.

Let them know the Rezoning Petition is not a good fit for our residential community.

Spread the word to your neighbors to do the same!

Finally call your City Councilman, Ed Driggs 704-574-7262

Resources

We are reaching out to the following organizations for help in defeating this proposed rezoning and short sided destruction of our natural habitat. 

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​       The North Carolina Wildlife Federation

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​ ​ ​  Central Carolinas Master Naturalist

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                  Catawba Lands Conservancy

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                                       Wing Haven

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                 Catawba River Keeper
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                        Mecklenburg Audubon Society

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​              Clean Aire Carolina

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​ ​ Animal Rehabilitators of the Carolinas

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​  Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center    (wildlife rehabilitation)

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               Carolina Young Birders Club

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                             Sierra Club - Piedmont Chapter

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                            Sustain Charlotte

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             Trees Charlotte

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​Mecklenburg County  Extension Master Gardeners

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​ ​Mecklenburg County  Land Use  and Environmental Services

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In Person Petition Signing (Just an Idea at this Point)

We now have more than 3000 signatures on our petition!

Someone suggested we take over The Four Mile Greenway Parking Lot on Bevington Place across from Trader Joe's to add to our petition signatures. The idea being not everyone is on social media but they use the Greenway often. 

Perhaps the 2nd Saturday of March. 

We would offer our Petition for signature, US Fish and Wildlife Brochures, may even invite the Catawba Land Conservancy, Wing Haven and the Raptor Center to help out.  

We would need a couple of volunteers doing perhaps a two / three hour shift so maybe as many as ten twelve people total?   

Someone also suggested hitting up Trader Joe's for some help or even a second signing table at their store.

Open to suggestions.

If you have an interest please email to: ReaRoadNC@gmail.com or use the "Contact" button on the right ------------>

Thank You for your input!

WBTV: Neighbors fight back against development in Charlotte’s Piper Glen community

We appreciate the effort by local media to bring attention to this important challenge facing the Rea Road Community:

From WBTV News:

By Lowell Rose

Feb. 21, 2023 at 10:31 PM EST

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) 

A developer wants to bring multi-family units to a stretch of undeveloped land off Rea Road near the Four Mile Creek Greenway.

The area in question is mostly wooded with housing subdivisions, a park and creek surrounding it.

Rezoning plans listed on the city’s website shows a proposed project that’s denser than what people are accustomed to in this area,

“My biggest concern, the community’s biggest concern is the amount of units that they’re proposing to put in there,” said Tom Coyne, a resident in the Piper Glen area.

A 53-acre site is at the heart of the issue, vastly undeveloped, sandwiched between Rea Road, Elm Lane, Bevington Place and the Old Course at Piper Glen subdivision to the south.

Russell Ranson, a partner with RK Investors, said, “we’re proposing up to 1,100 rental homes which would be luxury in nature and a great addition to south Charlotte.”

The site plans call for a change in zoning for the area to develop multi-family units, active adult communities, nursing homes, and single-family units.

“Our intention is to be respectful of all types of housings and have opportunities for a wide range of incomes in this area,” said Ranson.

Despite the proposal from developers, neighbors are not fans of the idea.

Coyne said, “this area right now, if you drive up and down Rea Road at various times of the day and to get out of our community here, it’s impossible and that’s without 1,100 additional units, and who knows how many cars are going to be in there.”

Charlotte City Councilmember Ed Driggs is among those not in favor the proposed plans as well.

Driggs said, “I first heard about it several months ago and I advised the petitioner then that I thought the development was inappropriate for the location, excess density, overloading the infrastructure,”

Driggs said he would only support the project if there were major changes to the plan.

Neighbors cite environmental concerns too, but the developer tells it plans to preserve trees on the site, clean up the lake and build trails for pedestrians.

Ranson added, “we’re deeply concerned about doing the right thing for this land and that includes listening to the area residents, the neighbors.”

This comes as neighbors plan to push for changes to the current plans.

“We’re hoping that we can have a positive impact on the plans as they exist today,” said Coyne.

Both the developer and councilmen acknowledge this project is months away from any type of vote by city council so people will have numerous opportunities for meetings and providing feedback about this proposal.

If things pass without hurdles, the developer said this area would start seeing buildings on this property within 14-18 months, but it would take 10 years to complete the entire development.

Charlotte’s parks are some of the worst in the country according to new study (May 2022)

The following was posted to Charlotte Agenda now called Charlotte Axios in May of last year, the original post is here. But this highlights the lack of "greenspace" in Charlotte that could be addressed by a NO VOTE on the David Gillespie Property rezoning request.

Charlotte’s parks system ranks near the bottom among 100 U.S. cities, according to the latest annual report from the nonprofit The Trust for Public Land.

By Danielle Chemtob | May 4, 2022

What’s happening: Charlotte/Mecklenburg ranked 83rd in the report released Wednesday, moving up eight places since last year. 

Between the lines: Parks were also scored on five factors: equity, access, amenities, investment, and acreage.

• Our parks were among the largest, at a median of 22.3 acres, but we received low marks for access.
• Just 37% of our residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park, according to the report.

Why it matters: Access to the outdoors increases quality of life and improves health outcomes. But for decades, government investment in public spaces overlooked low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.

Charlotte has slowly been moving up the rankings but has consistently ranked near the bottom of the list.

• Last year, we came in at 91st, and the year before that, we were 95th.

Charlotte’s parks were rated the worst of the cities the study examined in North Carolina: Durham was 82nd, Winston-Salem 80th, Greensboro 76th and Raleigh 50th.

What they’re saying: Will Klein, a parks researcher with the Trust for Public Land, cited the expansion of greenways and increased investments in parks as part of the reason Charlotte/Mecklenburg fared better this year.

• Still, the area is in the middle of the pack in terms of its spending per capita, at $106 per resident.

Of note: Mecklenburg County says it will release a statement on the rankings today.

Let's Talk Density - How Much Is Too Much?

There has been a lot of talk recently about population density. 

Population Density creates a city and a neighborhood's character and quality of life as much as architecture and climate. 

New York City has twice the population density as Los Angeles. Which means that while shopping along 5th Avenue, you're likely to bump elbows with some stranger every 30 feet, but in Los Angeles while shopping along Rodeo Drive you might even find a curbside parking spot. 

 Above US Census Data NPA 262 and 181 and the Location of the Gillespie Property 

A quick search of US Census Data from 2020 shows that in Charlotte, NPA 181 and 262 make up much of Piper Glen. (Each NPA is a unique geographical area assigned by the US Census Bureau.)  

The site of the proposed David Gillespie Project and Rezoning Request is located in NPA 181 and 262 above. They are similar in size and have a combined area of 2,101 acres and include 6,072 residents. Which equates to a population density of 3 people per acre.

Above US Census NPA points for the Rea Road Area Neighborhoods and Gillespie Property 

If you step back a little further and include the surrounding neighborhoods that make up the Four Mile Creek Watershed and the Rea Road Neighborhood Coalition, you find that the population density increases to 4 residents per acre living on 6,680 acres.

County wide, Mecklenburg County has a population density of 3 people per acre. A total population of 1,115,482 residents, living on 349,491 acres, which gives Charlotte it's comfortable easy lifestyle and our wonderful Rea Road neighborhood's their character. 

It is also the reason both New Yorkers and Californians move to Charlotte.

David Gillespie wants to rezone the Gillespie Property with a density of approximately 3,300 people on just 53 Acres. That is a density of 63 people per acre versus the Rea Road Area's 4 per acre. Building 22 homes per acre in an area that according to Charlotte and Mecklenburg County has only one (1) home per acre.

Even the rather crowded nearby Arboretum Apartments, at Providence and Pineville-Matthews Road (US Census NPA 206) has a density of just over 11 residents per acre.

Want to learn more? Explore Mecklenburg County's Quality of Life Data Base.

Zoning Signs - Is Just One On Rea Road Sufficient?

I thought this was a good observation. Charlotte City Staff put a notice of Rezoning Petition sign up on Rea Road sometime ago. But the property address is Elm Lane does that still count?

And so one of your neighbors emailed John Kinley with the city and asked the following:

I'm inquiring about the Gillespie Property Rezoning Petition 2022-121 9621 Elm Lane Charlotte, NC 28277.

I noticed the yellow "Rezoning" sign a month or so ago on Rea Road but there's no sign on Elm Lane, the actual address of the property. Accordingly many of the residents of White Oak and other subdivisions along Elm Lane are unaware of the rezoning request. 

Was this intentional? Or just an oversight?

I look forward to hearing from you.

John Kinley's Reply:

We typically follow State law regarding rezoning signs which doesn’t require that signs have to be placed on every street front.   

We posted on the Rea, a major thoroughfare while Elm is a minor thoroughfare, however I do see your point that many residents along Elm may never travel Rea and see the sign.

 

I will look into this a bit more and see if we can get an additional sign posted.

Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

 

John Kinley

Project Manager, Entitlement Services Division+Rezoning

Planning, Design & Development
600 East 4th Street | 8th Floor| Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 336-8311 | john.kinley@charlottenc.gov |rezoning.org | charlottenc.gov/planning

Ed Driggs On The Gillespie Rezoning Request

Ed Driggs Charlotte City Council Member and Piper Glen Resident posted with comment about an hour ago on Next Door:

This is City Council Member Ed Driggs.  I have made clear to the petitioner that I oppose this rezoning mainly but not only because of its excessive density.  

I did want to clarify the timeline for the process: there will be a Public Hearing no sooner than April, and the final Council vote will not occur until at least a month after that.  

During that time, staff will analyze the petition, including a traffic assessment, storm water engineering, public safety and numerous other factors.  

I have been in touch with the HOA steering group and will work with residents to ensure Council is aware of their concerns.  

Write to me at ed.driggs@charlottenc.gov if you wish to be added to a mailing list I will use to send out updates.  

I am also willing to attend neighborhood meetings to explain the process and how you can make your voice heard.  

Approval of this petition is not a foregone conclusion, you can make a difference