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Neighbors press for a binding tree-protection and monitoring plan as MRA details protection measures
Summary
Residents urged the Planning & Zoning Commission to require specific, enforceable tree-protection measures, oversight and monitoring covering MRA property, the town-owned Georgia Terrace island and large trees just east of the site; MRA presented a draft plan and an 'area of disturbance' delineation but said survival of trees within disturbance zones cannot be guaranteed.
Multiple residents told the commission they welcome the applicantengagement but want stronger, codified protections for trees and clear monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
"We are most appreciative of the details the MRA has provided in its tree protection plan...We would like to know the exact measures that will be taken to protect the indicated trees," Nancy Fox said, asking that the plan spell out protocols, oversight and that protections extend to trees on adjacent town land and neighboring yards.
MRA's team presented a draft tree-protection plan and a landscape schematic (L100) that marks trees "to remain," "required trees" and trees "requiring protection." The civil engineer explained the plan will show an "area of disturbance" (red dashed line) where roots and foundations will likely be affected and where, by industry practice, delineation (silt fencing), tree wells and pre-construction photographic documentation are used to reduce risk. The applicant stressed it will consult an arborist and make reasonable preservation attempts but declined to guarantee survival for any particular tree affected by excavation or utilities.
Neighbors asked for oversight language—who enforces the protections, whether monitoring and photographic baseline documentation will be included in permit conditions and what immediate remedies will be required if construction damages neighbor trees or walls. The applicant said those monitoring steps and the disturbance boundary will be shown on the construction and civil drawings submitted for zoning compliance and building permits, and that contractor Bloom Construction will implement monitoring and pre-condition surveys where they deem the risk is significant.
Why it matters: the site includes mature trees that neighbors and the applicant agree contribute to Montreat's character; stormwater infrastructure, parking and underground storage needs may expand the disturbance footprint and increase risk to roots and adjacent properties. The commission asked for more specific, enforceable language to include in a recommendation to the board.
