Home Sales
Area soccer teams prep for season
in south Charlotte
page 3
page 13
Serving The Arboretum, Ballantyne, Blakeney and SouthPark communities
Locally Owned & Operated www.thecharlotteweekly.com
Volume 15, Number 33 • Aug. 14 to 20, 2015
Residents worry about vanishing trees South Charlotte’s tree canopy thinning with increased development
Hannah Chronis/SCW photo
by Justin Vick justin@thecharlotteweekly.com
Inta Lidz fell in love with Charlotte 28 years ago when she and her husband flew to the city for a potential job opportunity. She remembers admiring the beautiful trees from the plane. Lidz is now concerned Charlotte is losing too many mature trees to construction projects. She’s not against development, but wants the city to save larger trees instead of replacing them with smaller ones that take a lifetime to grow.
“The last few years, Sardis Road and the areas around us, have become pockets of devastation,” Lidz recently told Charlotte City Council. “Complete clear-cutting of beautiful trees – just barren red dirt.” Her sister, Kim Holmes, is launching a nonprofit to help preserve trees. Holmes wants to convince the city to strengthen its Tree Save Ordinance. Holmes would like to see single-family developments held to the same standards as commercial projects, in which developers are required to save 15 percent of the
trees on a site, or plant 36 new ones. Single-family developments are only required to save 10 percent of the trees on a site. Holmes believes there might be a problem enforcing the ordinance, and worries trees along Marvin Road and U.S. 521, Old Ardrey Kell Road and Providence Road West, Lancaster Highway and U.S. 521 won’t have any protection. Ed Driggs, who represents District 7 on city council, believes a shrinking tree canopy is an issue, specifically naming intersection improvements at Elm Lane. “A lot of mature trees were cut down, and it wasn’t apparent that they had to be,” Driggs said. “A few scrawny new ones have been planted and those have died.” Mayor Dan Clodfelter said the council has an aggressive policy on tree planting and preservation. He called on city staff to update the council on its progress restoring the tree canopy. Charlotte lost 49 percent of its tree canopy from 1985 to 2008, according to a study by American Forests. The city boasted a 45 percent tree canopy cover compared to Mecklenburg County’s 50 percent. (see Trees on page 5)
Back to School It’s almost time for the bell to ring! Public school students are less than two weeks away from the first day of classes. Find out what families need to know about bus safety, the importance of proper sleep and what to do before before students strap on their backpacks on page 9.
CMS remains in limbo as state extends budget deadline by Courtney Schultz education@thecharlotteweekly.com
The school bell will ring on Aug. 24 and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will not know the fate of its teacher assistants. State legislators meant to complete the budget for the fiscal year that began July 1 by Aug. 14, but this week they voted to extend the deadline to Aug. 31. Legislators passed a bill on Aug. 12 would extend last year’s budget until the end of the month. The Aug. 14 deadline came after the legislature passed a 45-day continuance bill before the original June 30 deadline. The delay leaves state school districts at a standstill as the state determines whether to cut 8,500, or about 52 percent of, teacher assistants across the state, as well as potential need to hire more teachers to decrease class sizes. Hiring more teachers could serve as a larger issue, as CMS still has 395 teacher vacancies, including 236 with recommended candidates, Superintendent Ann Clark told the district’s Board of Education on Aug. 11. School districts will continue to wait in limbo as the state determines public education’s fate.
INDEX: News Briefs, 6; Education, 9; Rev. Tony, 11; Calendar, 12; Sports, 13; Classifieds, 15
DISH IT OUT POTTERY PAINTING STUDIO
Offering pottery painting, mosaics and glass fusion at two convenient Charlotte locations. No appointment needed, just drop in and get creative with us! Ask us about parties, office and corporate events, camps, group outings, and field trips! We will also come to your location for large groups or we can help you plan a To Go party.
Open Mon. - Thurs. 10am - 8pm | Fri. & Sat. 10am - 9pm | Sun. 1 - 7pm Bring this ad to either Dish It Out location and save $5 off any purchase over $25. Not valid with any other offer. One per customer. Expires 10/31/15.
7828 Rea Road Stonecrest Shopping Plaza 704.544.4848
1600 E. Woodlawn Rd. Parketowne Village Shopping Plaza 704.529.1766