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Residents press council to save landmark maple as Circle K site plan moves ahead
Summary
Residents and business owners urged Black Mountain officials to stop or modify a Circle K gas‑station site plan that will remove a large sugar maple at the town’s Highway 9 entrance; planning staff said the development is a by‑right use in the HBA zone and the approved stormwater layout makes keeping the tree infeasible under the current site plan.
Planning Director Michelle Kennedy told the council the Circle K proposal for the former SunTrust parcel is a use allowed by right in the Highway Business (HBA) zoning district and that the company’s approved site plan locates stormwater mitigation infrastructure where the large maple sits. "They are willing to do whatever they can do to be in partnership with folks," Kennedy said, but she added that "the tree does have to come down" under the plan.
Dozens of residents and business owners used the meeting’s public‑comment period to call for the tree’s preservation and stronger local tree protections. "I sit across from you today, and I cannot help…
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