Thursday, November 6, 2008

Please click on images to ENLARGE photos of unprotected trees in dedicated park area on Hill Place development site on November 6, 2008

Please click on images to ENLARGE photos of unprotected trees in dedicated park area on Hill Place development site on November 6, 2008.



The tree-protection fences have been moved even closer to the trunks of the large oaks in the dedicated park space and heavy machinery and other vehicles are routinely driving over what remains of the roots of these magnificent trees. The trees's roots were damaged by the Aspen Ridge contractors and now they are being further damaged, even cut back farther, by the Hill Place contractors. The standard that is supposed to be met is total protection of the ground within the drip line of the tree canopy. The surface roots are essential to keeping the trees alive. They cannot survive being compacted or cut off. This kind of failure to enforce the rules makes it clear that the incumbent mayor, Dan Coody, doesn't really want to protect what remains green in this formerly green valley.
Lioneld Jordan believes in protecting the city's parks and trees. He attended our neighborhood meetings with developers of the latest project set for the site of the failed Aspen Ridge Project. He heard the developers promise many good things. Unfortunately, the current mayor of Fayetteville didn't attend those meetings and he has not ordered the staff to ensure that the developer's promises are being kept.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aubrey, this is misinformation. The tree protection fence has not been moved; this is the tree preservation fencing that was approved by Greg Howe. Part of the reason the fence is inside the drip line is because that is where the previous (Aspen Ridge) grading left and "island" of roots. Please be sure to have correct information prior to posting.

aubunique said...

I photographed the tree fences put up after surveyors marked the appropriate places back in the summer and the fences have been moved back more than once.
There should not be any vehicles driving on any part of the dedicated park land. And the fill dirt on top should not have been rolled down and compacted.
It was promised that the disturbed portion of that parkland would be leveled at its original elevation, not higher than Hoodenpyle's property or ours. Only original topsoil should be there. NO rock, gravel, debris, etc., should be on the parkland. So much for all the promises made at the meetings earlier the year. The workers out there haven't been instructed to follow the promised environmental-protection actions.
But back to the posted photos. If you look closely at the photos you'll see new shaving off of the roots along the street dig and you'll see that the tree-protection fence has been moved closer to the tree trunks than even in the aspen ridge days. You will see some of the grassy area with the original soil now OUTSIDE the protection fence.
On what date did you visit that area of oak trees slated for protection with the tree administrator?
YOU KNOW that no work is supposed be done within the drip line of trees.
Let's don't use words like misinformation when talking about things on the Hill Place site unless you want to accuse yourself.
By the way, if the big culvert is at risk of being damaged, why were dump trucks driving over it today?
Has it been reinforced? Is the Town Branch being protected from erosion from the road above the culvert?
See you tonight.
Thanks for your interest.
Aubrey

Anonymous said...

Again, Aubrey, the work is being conducted in accordance with the approved plans, and as approved by Greg Howe. The surveyors have never staked the tree protection fence; only the E&S control items. Stating the contrary as fact is misinformation, regardless of how you would like to spin it. Some of the roots have been pruned; we knew this would happen from day one. Again, these root zones were pruned originally with Aspen Ridge. The parks department has approved of the fill that has been placed in the park area; failure to provide some level of compaction would result in large sunken areas and would be irresponsible construction. The contractor is free to drive across the parkland all he wants during construction, up until the time of certificate of occupancy. I know you're unhappy with the soil, but all of the soil placed in the park came from the site; it is not imported material. The big culvert should have been removed; YOU KNOW this is true, but because of your obstinance, it remains a detriment to the stream. The contractor has not broken any of the promises we made during our presentations of the project.

Anonymous said...

What about the level of that grade?

Austin, are you saying the parks people signed off on the grade being a foot higher than the original level and it's their fault for saying OK?

They don't have the jurisdiction to approve the grade. The fill dirt for the excavation done prior to new plans maybe, but not the grade. Are you figuring the contractor's vehicles will compact it another foot?

That strip of "parkland" held it's water (held crawdads, too) prior to Aspen Ridge debacle and it isn't now. That's in violation of what little FEDERAL watershed protection there is.