ROLESVILLE, N.C. — According to data from the latest U.S. Census, Rolesville is the fastest growing community in North Carolina. From July 2010 to July 2019, Rolesville’s population went from 3,811 to 8,501, and it has only continued to grow.

Rolesville is the fastest growing community in the state

Its population has more than doubled in a decade 

Residents are seeing increased traffic and development 

The growing population has led to new development and increased traffic in the area. Some residents, like George Garcia, feel like the small town he once knew and loved is slipping away. 

“A lot of folks that have bought houses here, came here with the idea of getting away from congestion and now they’re experiencing it — some people are even moving away. I know that decisions have been made without the proper thought about the impact on the quality of life of people around here,” Garcia said. 

Garcia says traffic is already pretty unbearable in front of his home, and it will only get worse. In 2018, the Rolesville City Council approved a plan to widen the road and intersection on Averette Road to accommodate new subdivisions. 

The problem is, some of this development is not only threatening Garcia’s quiet way of life, but also the 284-year-old oak tree standing tall in front of his home. Recently, markers have popped up around the tree for surveying. Garcia is worried that if piping is added to support additional infrastructure, it may damage the tree due to its shallow roots. 

Plus, given that the tree is so close to the road, it may be at risk, depending on what the city decides to do with the intersection. 

Kelly Arnold, the Rolesville town manager, says the design of the intersection has not yet been approved, so for now the fate of Garcia’s oak tree is unclear. 

“It would be an irreparable loss. I know to some people interested in development it’s just a tree, but for others it’s not,” Garcia said.