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Resident urges reopening of Catawba riparian buffer case after tree removal; council requests staff follow-up
Summary
Resident John Brantley told the council he had photos showing hundreds of trees removed from the Catawba riparian buffer and requested the city reopen a closed case. Staff said it had closed the matter and would follow up; council later directed staff to shift attention elsewhere unless new violations appear.
John Brantley, a Mount Holly resident, asked the council during public comment on July 14 to reopen a case involving alleged significant tree removal in the Catawba riparian buffer. Brantley told council he had photographic evidence and said at least 500 trees — and possibly thousands when including the whole area — had been cut.
Brantley said a stop-work order had been issued after he reported earlier removals, but he later observed additional cutting. He told council a homeowner produced a letter from Planning staff member Greg Beal that, Brantley said, permitted more cutting. Brantley asked two questions: whether the stop-work order remained in effect and, if not, why it had been lifted; and he requested the case be reopened.
The mayor said staff would follow up and get back to Brantley. Later in the meeting, Councilmember Bill (surname not specified in the transcript) praised staff (including Mr. Bill and his team) for responding to the matter, said state and county officials had been involved, and moved that staff be directed to move on and focus efforts elsewhere unless a new violation arises. Councilmember Huff made the motion and Councilmember Reeves seconded; the motion passed.
Brantley told the council he intended to pursue the matter further, including with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ); the transcript includes a reference that NCDEQ had corresponded with Brantley. The council did not vote to reopen the case at the meeting.
