Two development projects and a town plan to build a multi-use bike path along Estes Drive account for all the tree cutting and activity on Estes Drive.
Butler property. (Estes Drive at corner of MLK) This property is owned by Catherine Butler. The owner has submitted several plans for hotels and apartments over the past few years, but up to now the proximity of the Horace Williams Airport prevented much development. Now that the airport is closed, one would have expected a development application. Instead, the owner is clear cutting the tract by bull dozing the trees with primitive techniques. (pictured above). The owner received a permit from the Town of Chapel Hill but under state rules the town would not be required to review a permit application for 3 – 5 years. The Town Council did not give good reviews to the latest 2017 concept plan for this property. The Town has created a webpage here for the tree clearing project.
Senior Residences. (east of Somerset Drive) The Senior Residences is the first project approved under the Central West Small area plan. Read a brief background of the context for the project here. While some see the need for senior housing in our community, everyone was surprised that every tree on this nearly 7 acre property was removed. Consequently, CHALT is calling for a revamp of the Town’s tree protection ordinance. Join us in asking the Town Council for a tree protection ordinance that works. Sign here.
Multi-use Path. (running off-road from MLK to Caswell Rd.) One of the few achievements of the Central West planning process that most neighbors celebrated was the plan to build an off-road bike path on the north side to Estes Drive from MLK to Caswell. Unfortunately this project will also take down some trees. Read more here.