Trees to Fall, Make Way for New CVS
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By Tom Embrey
Senior Writer
A stand of mature trees will come down after all so a developer can build a small retail center in Aberdeen that will host Moore County's first CVS pharmacy.
Aberdeen's town commissioners had been wrestling for almost a week over whether to stand by the town's regulations protecting removal of trees.
But in a special meeting Monday evening, Aberdeen commissioners voted 3-2 that the trees' presence represented a hardship to development and therefore could be removed.
Moseley Real Estate Advisors of Charlotte had asked to remove the trees because they presented an unreasonable burden to development.
Commissioners originally sided with the trees, a stand of about 17 located on the property near the intersection of U.S. 1 and U.S. 15-501. The board just last week had told town planners to work with the developer and find a way to save the trees.
In fact, the board first voted 3-2 Monday to stick to its original position that the trees should remain. Commissioners Pat Ann McMurray, Jim Thomas and Alan Parker stood by the trees, while Robbie Farrell and Walter Wright voted to let the developer remove them.
But after some discussion, McMurray agreed to change her vote.
"I don't think it's a dead deal, but I am hearing two different stories," McMurray said following the first vote.
She said she was under the impression that parking on the site could be altered without harming the development and preserving the trees. Developers, however, said that was not possible.
She also expressed a concern that the developer would not meet its commitments agreed upon, like replacing all the removed trees.
"We've had so many projects come before us and they have not turned out the way we thought they would," she said.
McMurray relented when representatives from the developer reiterated their commitment to replace all the trees they removed with more mature trees and agreed to be bound to it.
Also swaying commissioners was a comment from Bonnie McPeake, one of the property's owners. The site currently has an old hotel, and McPeake said she was worried about an opportunity passing the town by.
If the deal doesn't go through, she told commissioners, the old hotel that is currently on the site would remain, and she likely would not be able to sell the property for another five years.
"It's going to be a boarded- up building at the busiest intersection in Moore County," she said.
In allowing development to proceed, commissioners attached several conditions:
n A schedule will be implemented staggering over time the trees' removal.
n The developer will add trees that are larger and more mature than required by the town's tree ordinance.
n The landscaping for a second adjacent parcel along U.S. 1 would go in at the same time as the landscaping for the pharmacy.
n Developers will post a bond covering the cost of all the trees to be planted.
The developer will still need to bring back a site plan for the second adjoining retail parcel when it is developed.
Contact Tom Embrey at (910) 693-2484 or tem brey @thepilot.com.
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Comments
Matt_Woodruff 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Of course they will.
FightFireWithFire 5 months, 2 weeks ago
There are enough pharmacies, steak houses, coffee shops and golf courses around here to keep all the retirees happy now, HUH? Or not.
Courseaire 5 months, 2 weeks ago
There's also plenty of trees.
Matt_Woodruff 5 months, 2 weeks ago
There are
fugitiveguy 5 months, 2 weeks ago
"Aberdeen's town commissioners had been wrestling for almost a week"
They must have been exhausted. Who tapped out? I once saw bikini clad ladies oil wrestling, one of my fondest memories of youth.
Toda 5 months, 2 weeks ago
This all appears as a moot point when in fact climate change is occurring at an accelerated unprecedented rated. Trees provide sink for CO2 emissions. Driving through french-fry alley AKA Sandhills Blvd the past two nights, we need more trees than ever before.
mymindwanders 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Aberdeen town commissioners.United they stood. Divided they fell. Where's their backbone? I guess laws really are made to be broken. The way I see it the development created a hardship for the trees. So the same developers who told you they would keep the trees are now telling you they're going to plant new ones. And you believe them now because..
Thatcher 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Uh, I've said it before and I'll say it again to the opponents here: how many trees were cut down on the lots where you built/bought your house, or on the lots where they built your kids' school, or on the highways/streets that you navigate every day to take your kids to school and go to work? Answer those questions, then feel free to re-post. Cheers!
mymindwanders 5 months, 2 weeks ago
A. I have 25 acres and saved as many trees as I could.B I don't have 5 houses in a 1 mile radius already. There are 5 or 6 pharmacies already.C There was not a law in place to leave the trees when I purchased my land. D I am entitled to my opinion as much as you are to yours. SAVE THE TREES...
Thatcher 5 months, 2 weeks ago
mymindwanders-- Good for you! Cheers! (When you say you "saved as many trees as you could," why didn't you save all of them, law or not? These are trees.)
mymindwanders 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Must be a slow night for you, eh? Let me say it slowly. there was not a law which I agreed to when I bought my house.also my grandparents built it. I would have left more.Cheers yourself ...
Thatcher 5 months, 2 weeks ago
I see. But why would your grandparents cut down trees just to build a house? That you bought. You don't need a law to protect trees if that's what you want to do. Cheers!
mymindwanders 5 months, 2 weeks ago
I guess a treehouse wouldn't have been big enough. ;)
Thatcher 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Now that was funny! Great job! Cheers!
Truth 5 months, 2 weeks ago
McPeake was "worried about an opportunity passing the town by"? Seriously? Can no one else see a bizarre twist of journalism and read between the lines? While you are all focused on trees no one seems to be interested in mentioning the possibility that this person's opinion might be a bit convoluted since she apparently owns the land? Poor her, she might not sell the property for "another five years"? Does anyone really believe that she is really concerned about the town of Aberdeen more than her pocketbook? Why is she even being quoted? Wow. Doesn't anyone read the newspaper without being led into the discussion the authors want? I am shocked that people fall into the propaganda; and, in this day and age, I am a bit surprised that people are led into the divisive arguing which casts distraction on the real issues.
Thatcher 5 months, 2 weeks ago
You should buy her land for cash and save every tree you want to save. Bushes too. Cheers!
Truth 5 months, 2 weeks ago
And still we are talking about saving trees or not saving trees? That was far from my point.
fugitiveguy 5 months, 2 weeks ago
"You should buy her land for cash and save every tree you want to save. Bushes too. Cheers!"
Bushes is what got us in this mess in the first place!
mymindwanders 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Bonnie is in business to make money. Already knew that.the hotel is old.already knew that.the hotel is on the land in question. already knew that. Thats why she was quoted.Aberdeen also already knows that. Mute point. SAVE THE TREES...oh,almost forgot, and the bushes
RmeMP 5 months, 2 weeks ago
@mymindwonders:
just for you, i am going to go out and cut down three trees on my property this weekend; want to know why? BECAUSE I CAN!!!
i bought the property, and if i want to cut some of them down and let them rot where they lay - then i will :)
i feel pitty for some humans, and some pets - but i could give two turds about a danged tree!
mymindwanders 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Otay Buckwheat.Have fun.
TooHot 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Wow - go a half mile in either direction and there are a billion trees.
Flabbergasted 5 months, 2 weeks ago
How many in here have actually planted a tree for Arbor Day? Show of hands. Hmm, I thought so. I am one for saving the trees, but you can't stand in the way of progress. Sad, but true. I hope they have in place a beautification plan to make up for the loss. Wether around or behind for a natural border, they need to make up for the loss.
packwilleat 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Flabbergasted~ I have. But then again, I actually plant trees and ornamentals year long.
packwilleat 5 months, 2 weeks ago
You're welcome!
fugitiveguy 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Speaking of dead trees. Whats up with that Pilot phone book? I already get a phone book from the phone company. What a waste! I tossed one in the dumpster today.
njc17 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Pat Ann McMurray is and has been the weak link. But Bonnie McPeake said it herself, that it's to her profit to pass the cut the trees down. mss McPeake has no care for the looks, wellfare or business atmosphere of Aberdeen, just her profit. I am just as glad to see that old best Western go. It has become an eyesore, but how many pharmacies can the highway stand? Well, what's done is done. Now to see if the developer replaces the trees.
Flabbergasted 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Packwilleat, looks like you and I are the minority. Thank you! Fugitive guy, recycle!!
handyssc2 5 months, 2 weeks ago
But folks will come from miles around to visit a new CVS... they are so rare and beautiful and unique to the Sandhills... what's a few trees compared to the beauty of a brick chain store. C'mon, people, get with the program!
geoffcutler 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Fugitive, congratulations on being able to read the phone book sent to you by the phone company. I can't read the entries without a magnifying glass. The Pilot's book is a great alternative, with print that's readable and a more economical advertising venue. Glad it's available. As far as trees for a drugstore...so goes the county.
Toda 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Scientist around the globe have produced viable research of climate change and global warming. Russian scientists are seeing lakes and large bodies of tundra and permafrost melting causing the release of over 200 metric tonnes of methane gas in the last decade. Polar bears are drowning - swimming as much as 60 miles trying to find ice platforms. Sea levels are expected to rise 2 to 3 feet within the next 50 years. Greenland has begun moving coastal inhabitants further inland with melting ice formations occurring now.
One responsibility of government is to maintain regulated growth. A mandate should be required for tree replacement based on the number taken down with replanting requirements for trees that don't reach maturity.
packwilleat 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Toda ~ water vapor???? You really are a f'n genius.
herecomesthescience 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Remember, this CVS is crucial for us to have! We so desperately need more banks, pharmacies, dollar stores, nail salons, and the like!
Arestorer 5 months, 2 weeks ago
If you cant see three more of the same type of establishment from your buisness's front door, theres not enough. Market saturation people.... :)
skylinefirepest 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Toda, I'll bet you can't find a reliable source that confirms those fuzzy white bears are drowning at any rate, much less an alarming rate. Global warming....excuse to make algore rich! Simple act of nature that has repeated itself since the birth of the earth.
Thatcher 5 months, 2 weeks ago
skyline-- One better: http://www.humanevents.com/2011/08/11/global-warming-link-to-drowned-polar-bears-melts-under-searing-fed-probe-2/. They lied. Cheers!
RmeMP 5 months, 2 weeks ago
wow, TOADa the troll so quite now? i still can't beleieve that loon ran as a republican - ROFL!!!
Steve 5 months, 2 weeks ago
WE all forget it's there land not yours.If don't like it buy it your self.
njc17 5 months, 2 weeks ago
No, Steve, it IS in the best interests of the community as a whole to adjudicate proper use of certain parcels of private lands depending where said lands are located, what the owner wants to do with the land, and what impact THAT use will have onthe surrounding land owners. Now the land along Route 1 and THAT particular intersection, is commercial property and as such, is designated for retail commercial. There is an eyesore complex there that has outlived it's usefulness. Bonnie McPeake has tried to change the business designation but because of what that property was 'motel/hotel, from the old school design, it did not lend itself to another use. The debate here is the removal of trees. There is a real sensitivity to indescriminate removal of trees, witness the Pinecrest Plaze in the 80's where the developer totally denuded the property and did not replace any tree until forced. Now do we need another pharmacy? not really; do we need another restaurant? wouldn't hurt but for the fact, what is there now is difficult to staff. My personal feeling is, Southern Pines and Aberdeen NEED to be extra careful NOT to let the route 1 corridor and the 15/501 corridor NOT BECOME another Bragg Boulevard.. I do believe there should be a better idea regarding wholesale cutting of the trees, but with the vote as stands, it then behooves Aberdeen to see a new planting plan and make the developer abide by it.
Toda 5 months, 2 weeks ago
"packwilleat 23 hours, 24 minutes ago Toda ~ water vapor???? You really are a f'n genius."
Source: Environmental Science, 4th edition, Jay Withgott and Scott Brennan.
Perhaps a semester in zoology or Environmental Science with Southern Pines resident Biologist and Professor Dr. John Roe at UNC Pembroke may - perhaps provide a body of knowledge that make some blog contributors seem less unintelligent.
I have taken his course...have you?
Toda 5 months, 2 weeks ago
"i still can't beleieve" General I still can't believe that you can'[t spell!
Toda 5 months, 2 weeks ago
SLFP => Are you asking me because of your limited computer skills? As usual waiting for someone else to provide information that you probably don't understand but here it is LINK Stupid
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AL GORE !
Toda 5 months, 2 weeks ago
*"RmeMP 3 hours, 20 minutes ago wow, TOADa the troll so quite now? i still can't beleieve that loon ran as a republican - ROFL!!!
Ever try reading as a pass-time or just for a greater body of knowledge? Or just be blatantly stupid the rest of your miserable life. Shall I change parties? Would that make you happy?
Toda 5 months, 2 weeks ago
General ~ "TOADa the troll so quite now? Quiet not quite!
cmptrepair 5 months, 2 weeks ago
so funny - you go Toda!
aggou 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Seriously? Trees? They need to cut a few in Pinehurst while they're at it.
JohnChappell 5 months, 2 weeks ago
In England a few years ago the Home Secretary wanted to widen a road, which meant cutting some some 400 year old oaks. He offered to plant new trees further apart to replace them. Fine, said the town council. Go ahead and plant your new trees. When they are the same size, you can cut down the old ones and build your road.
packwilleat 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Toda ~ well according to you and professor douchetards from.......... Pembroke?? Haha! Sorry man you should have referenced someone from Sandhills CC. It would have carried more weight. But anyhow, I say cut all the trees down since they account for 10% of all water vapor released into the atmosphere. And a good solid layer of concrete and asphalt everywhere would do wonders for that whole evapotranspiration problem. Oh yeah and all my professors from NSCU still claim you're an idiot.
packwilleat 5 months, 2 weeks ago
10% figure......................... http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleevapotranspiration.html
packwilleat 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Toda ~ get back with me when Pembroke makes the list.....................
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/collegerankings/tp/top-north-carolina-colleges.01.htm
RmeMP 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Hey TOADa, I normally never nitpick over grammatical errors on threads, I in this case since you pointed out two of my spelling errors:
Look up to your post when you were trying to retort to SLFP, and notice YOUR OWN spelling error when you wrote, "GENUS" - not only did you make yourself foolish looking, but you did so in the utmost way with the word you misspelled!
What's the saying, "people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks"? Or is it, "the pot calling the kettle black"?
Either way, guess you're not as bright as you like to claim. Have a nice day :)
Oh, and ps: you're also wrong about the polar bears drowning at record numbers due to there being no ice for them to live on...
geoffcutler 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Were it that we get away with some of the same tactics, John. Good tale.
skylinefirepest 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Toda, toda, toaaada, what are we going to do with you?? You ran as a Republican but you're just another stinking liberal. Your liberal buddies gave up on the slogan "global warming" and went to "climate change" when the gw bullhockey didn't sell. Algore is making a fortune off of stupid "want to save the planet and the polar bears" non-thinkers. Climate change has been going on for the life of the earth and will continue to do so regardless of human beings. You made fun of me for having been trained in weather but at least I know that weather and climate are linked and you apparently know only what you have read "somewhere". Get a life, man, you are going to end up as excess molecules in the dirt one day and it won't matter what's going on up above you.
Toda 5 months, 2 weeks ago
packwilleat => So did you graduate from NSCU? Or just a wannabe? Randy why not come out from hiding and let the rest of the world know who and what you are? Wussy perhaps?
Should I run on the Republican ticket next election? Please share with the intellectual community what office you stepped up to run? Or are you just mouthing off like an ignorant blowhard?
Toda 5 months, 2 weeks ago
yeah and all my professors from NSCU => Help me out here Randy ~ what does NSCU stand for? It can't be North Carolina State University (NCSU), North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Could it possibly be a typo? Undergrad perhaps who didn't have to write papers? Try spell check or in your case , look at your paper they gave you at graduation or a week or two later ....
njc17 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Man-------I find, that when some folks here, have no salient repost or general , to the topic, comment they resort to inane chatter.