CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nearly 20,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to a proposed housing development in south Charlotte. 

What You Need To Know

  • A housing development proposal in south Charlotte in 53 acres of woods is drawing opposition

  • Nearly 20,000 signed a petition asking the city to deny the rezoning, citing concerns about the habitat of two bald eagles, traffic, infrastructure and flooding

  • The developer, RK Investments Charlotte LLC, said the eagles are far enough away that they wouldn’t be affected 

  • City staff is not recommending the proposal as it stands

RK Investments Charlotte LLC submitted a petition to build 640 homes, including apartments, townhomes and a continuing care retirement community in 53 acres between Elm Lane and Rea Road. 

“It is more dense than what is surrounding the site but we think given the infrastructure, it’s an appropriate location for a development of this density and of this quality," John Carmichael, who is representing the petitioner, said during a zoning meeting Monday. 

Opponents are concerned about two bald eagles whose habitat is at the TPC Piper Glen golf course, which is located in the vicinity of the proposed development. 

Chris McIntire, who started the petition, wrote that protecting, preserving and conserving natural resources is the duty of citizens.

"It is of utmost concern that a pair of American bald eagles who have called Piper Glen home during the last two decades are also in jeopardy, as the development will come within 900 feet of their nest they have maintained for 16 years or more,” McIntire wrote. 

According to UNC Charlotte, this is the only bald eagle nest in the city. 

Carmichael said the petitioner contacted North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, which said the eagles nest tree is beyond the 660-foot protected zone of the development. 

"They say the development poses little risk to the eagles,” Carmichael said. 

Kim Hombs and other neighbors disagree and believe the development will impact the eagles.

“They fly and hunt over there,” Hombs said. 

Hombs, the executive director of Trees, Bees and All of These, a nonprofit organization aiming to save green spaces in Charlotte, helped organize neighbors opposed to the development. They provided signs and buses to charter concerned neighbors to the zoning meeting on Monday. 

“Getting the word out. To kind of stand up, speak up and show up and that’s what matters,” Hombs said. 

They wore green shirts that had the words "No Rezoning" printed along with an eagle. 

Hombs said they are also concerned about the impact on other wildlife that live on the proposed site, which is close to the Four Mile Creek Greenway.

“It’s just devastation of beautiful 53 solid acres with pond and wildlife,” Hombs said. 

The developers said 30% of the site will be a tree-save area. However, Hombs would rather keep the wildlife and trees untouched.

“This is something that needs to be preserved,” Hombs said.

City staff is not recommending the proposal in current form in part because of the number of apartments proposed and lack of clarity of the tree-saved areas. 

Hombs and other neighbors during the zoning meeting expressed other concerns regarding not having the infrastructure to support the development, increase in traffic and flooding. 

City Council District 7 Rep. Ed Driggs, who represents the area, said he’s aware of the concerns of his constituents and wished there was a way to preserve this land.

“If you remain united against it, I’ll support it, but what I’m concerned is what happens if it is withdrawn,” Driggs said. “If it’s withdrawn, there’s an option under our current land use policies for the only petitioner to proceed with a different type of development without a meeting like this.”

He added the petitioner has been showing willingness to adjust the plan. 

The earliest the council could vote on the proposal is May.