First a huge thank you to everyone who took time to attend last night’s Gillespie Property Rezoning Community Meeting. The standing room only crowd, with more than 2 dozen neighbors turned away at the door and not allowed to enter, let the developer RK Investors (Russell Ranson), know the Gillespie Project DOES NOT have community support.
Your neighbors voiced the following concerns:Traffic – The Traffic Impact Study prepared by Design
Resource Group seemed severely flawed and perhaps of dubious intent. The
presenters suggested that the traffic study has “approved” by both the City
and State DOT. However, there seems to be some confusion as to being “approved” which is perhaps
only accepted. The use of 2020 traffic counts as a base line also seems problematic.
Band-Aid fixes to nearby intersections seemed illogical at best. Enhancements to Elm
Lane and Bevington were tossed to the crowd with little appreciation. And the
threat of resubmitting the traffic study based on lower density and not being
required to provide any traffic enhancement was not appreciated. Those in
attendance believe that an additional 4,500 vehicle movements daily at a minimum
would be added to the already over stressed Rea/Elm/Pineville Matthews
gridlock.
Schools – Teacher and Bus Driver shortages. While CMS
reports a shortage of more than 500 teachers and 100 bus drivers as of June 28th
according to a news story by WCNC. This fact was disputed by the developer. It
was noted that Southern Mecklenburg County schools are well above capacity and
will remain over capacity even after the new junior and senior high schools located
off Ardrey Kell and North Community House respectively. These schools are to be completed in 2025
and 2024.
Wildlife and Nature including our Eagles (Piper and Glen)
– Developer Ranson claimed that the Bald Eagles are only located on the Piper
Glen Golf Course and will not be affected by construction. However, the facts
show otherwise, eagles typically have a 5-10 square mile range and have frequently been spotted on the Gillespie Property and the project may be in violation of state and federal mandates.
The developer admits that no environmental study has been completed or is
planned.
Tree Canopy – A "possible" 30% tree-save is not impressive. Replacing
100-year-old oak trees with lovely pink crepe myrtles is even less attractive.
Stormwater Runoff – RK Investors will need to remove
nearly 20 feet of elevation from the Gillespie property. Severely altering the topography
of the land and destroying much of the natural wildlife habitat. The risks are immeasurable
at this point.
Infrastructure – City County Services, Duke Energy, Law Enforcement, US Postal Service are clearly under stress. The power grid dropping out with even the
mildest of thunderstorms. Something that was rare a decade ago.
Construction – A ten-year construction buildout is
not acceptable. The thought of a decade of dump trucks and endless hammering
and equipment backing warning signals offers only a nightmarish perception.
Project Size - The development was reduced from the original
1,100 units to 980, now down to 636 apartments on 53
acres is troublesome, considering that Piper Glen has around 850 homes on more
than 1,000 acres. The Fairways Apartments at Piper Glen has 272 units on 23 acres. The
density is just unacceptable.
Housing Types – It is unfortunate that the developer has
not committed to the type of housing. This continues to range from afforable housing
to nursing care, to luxury apartments to an over 55 community.
Ed Driggs – Clearly Council Member Driggs is not a
fan favorite. Oddly Mr. Driggs felt it was warranted to speak to the two CMPD
Officers on hand and warn them to be on their toes in case things got out of
hand. Perhaps "Pitchforks and Torches" were expected? When asked if he would commit to
voting against the Gillespie Rezoning Request Mr. Driggs dodged the
question using words like, negotiation, and common ground. Then when pressed
further simply refused to answer. It is clear that Driggs will vote for the developers.
Finally, the first rule of public speaking is “read
the room” and the developer, Russell Ranson, our Charlotte City Council
Member Ed Driggs, John Carmichael with the law firm Robinson Bradshaw, the architect,
and traffic study presenters could not have been more clueless.
While proudly offering increased access to the greenway and wider
sidewalks, Mr. Ranson failed to notice that the crowd of more than 200 hundred
gathered may enjoy an occasional walk around the neighborhood, but the mostly
empty nesters have little desire to lace up a pair of Nikes and head off on a five-mile
morning run. Even a walk to Starbucks in the summer afternoon heat is rather unappealing
to most of those in attendance.
What does matter is traffic, crime, wildlife and infrastructure,
nothing said really addressed these concerns.
In a room filled with property owners, many who have made
the area home for more than two decades and understand the reason they chose to
live in the Piper Glen area, is the character of our community. The combination
of golf course fairways, gently rolling hills, trees, ponds, and wildlife is a
welcome change from much of Charlotte. Sadly, the proposed Gillespie Development dramatically
alters the character of our neighborhood.
By rezoning from single family detached homes to rental apartments
the area will lose its biggest asset homeowners. For it is that pride in homeownership
that adds value that is lost within a rental community, no matter how proactive
the property management company.
Again, thank you for your support, kind words and continued encouragement.
Beyond the meeting - Our petition is 100 signatures away from 11,000 and we will plan on increasing our efforts as the weeks progress. We are somewhat hesitant to place signs along the Gillespie Property as it really goes against our desire to be be environmentally aware, our collective HOA's have rules against signs and its pretty unattractive. Perhaps as we get closer to a Charlotte City Council vote. Thoughts on this? Finally we encourage everyone to write letters to City Council - email is great but if you have time a real letter has even more impact!
change.org/SavePiperGlen
5 comments:
I was surprised at the number of people who cared enough to go to an event that they didn't even offer bottle water. Really poor move on the "event center".
As everyone attending Thursday's meeting knows Ed Driggs is pretty worthless. The little man wanders about offering little value it is amazing that he keeps getting re-elected. Obviously he's already to Ranson he'll support this nightmare project. The traffic study is bullshit. Both entrances to the property are on blind curves. Reduce the speed limit to 35 and one lane in each direction plus add traffic signals and bike lanes?
There are parts of Charlotte were it feels so freaking tight it is almost as if I'm going to suffocate. Yet if I drive to Rock Hill or Fort Mill or Gastonia there is lovely green space parks and wide streets. Who wants to live of top of other people like that? Is everyone from up North, Asia or India? That's the only places I've been where people seem to like being elbow to elbow. Spread our to stupid people let me breath!
Why is everyone saying Ed Driggs is "owned" by the developers? Prove it? Show some hard numbers or facts if you can't put up then shut up.
Driggs champaign finance report says he's owned by developers and real estate professionals. 90% of his money comes from guys like Russell Ranson.
Yep he's a weasel.
In June alone he took money from Northwood, First & Early Partners, Hopper Communities, Beacon Partners, Selwyn Property Group, Inc. and Childress Klein.
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