Charlotte's Trees Fiction Versus Reality

The Gillespie Property Developer RK Investing, LLC has offered a "possible 30% tree save" that they are calling "Green Belt" in other words a "tree collar" that leaves the trees on the very edge of the property and in this case also in the flood zone somewhat intact.

In reality this is what this developer does.

RK Investors, LLC Proximity NorthLake Project

This alone fails the intent and purpose of Charlotte's recently adopted Unified Development Ordinance which specifically calls for the preservation, protection, and conservation of natural resources and historic resources.  

In other words the developer wants to take this old growth forest with hundreds of heritage trees from this ....

To this on Endhaven Road just 1 mile southwest:

Endhaven at Elm Lane June 2023

Or this at the new high school just two miles west:

Community House at Endhaven CMS Relife High School June 2023

A "tree collar" around the property is not conservation any more than the destruction of 70% of an old growth heritage forest is a "tree save" or preservation.

Even then with minimal requirements for tree saves, most developers ignore their promises and operate on what is called "payment in lieu of preservation". In other words just replace the old growth trees with a new sapling or write the check for a nominal sum and all is forgiven.