CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One neighborhood’s battle against a proposed development continues to get a lot of attention.
A current change.org petition, centered around the Piper Glen development, has nearly 20,000 signatures against a rezoning petition for a rental community near Four Mile Creek Greenway.
Piper Glen is popular for its tree canopy and trails. "It’s a great community," homeowner Chris McIntire said.
McIntire and his neighbor were staking signs along the greenway on Bevington Place Friday, hoping to encourage the Charlotte City Council to oppose the development.
"Rather than seeing the trees, you’re going to see these big box apartments," McIntire said while pointing to the woods on the other side of the creek.
Developers want to turn 53 acres of land into 640 apartments and townhomes. Most of the housing units will be age-restricted for a retirement community.
McIntire said he and his neighbors are asking city leaders to vote no on the rezoning request due to density, traffic, and environmental concerns.
He also worries flooding in the area could worsen due to the development.
The developers told WCNC Charlotte the plan saves 15 acres of trees whereas the land’s current zoning code only requires saving about 6 acres of trees.
McIntire understands the land will be developed but he’d prefer to see houses for sale. Some neighbors want the land untouched.
Charlotte City councilman Ed Driggs, who represents the area, said that’s not an option.
"The county expressed an interest at one point to the owner in buying the site for a park," Driggs explained. "The owner said, 'I don't want to talk about that, it’s under contract.'"
Under the land’s current zoning, the developer can build about 470 homes but no apartments. Driggs thinks rezoning could bring the community more benefits.
"The UDO allows by-right development there that would remove most of the trees and wouldn't require the same kind of traffic improvements that the petitioner is offering," Driggs said.
Driggs said the project highlights concerns with the UDO, which is the city’s new zoning code. "I voted against it because I saw problems like this coming," Driggs said. "And now we have to deal with the fact that it is the law of the land."
However, Driggs said unless the homeowners and developer can come to an agreement, he will not support the project when it's time to vote on it.
The project has a public hearing on Monday, March 18 at the Charlotte City Council zoning meeting.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.