CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — An east Charlotte apartment complex with a troubled past will soon be a thing of the past.
The Charlotte City Council voted Monday to rezone the Silver Oak Apartments on Monroe Road for retail, restaurants and new housing.
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Some residents were outraged about the idea. Eyewitness News told workers in the leasing office and a tenant about the City Council's decision.
"I'm not happy about the change at all," said tenant Darlene Enos.
Enos has lived in Silver Oak Apartments for three years and will have to look for a new home because of the rezoning decision.
"They let us know in phases when the exterminator is coming, but they don't want to let you know when your apartment is going to be torn down," Enos said.
Goode Development Corporation plans to demolish the complex, which stretches nearly 20 acres, and build new apartments, retail shops and restaurants.
Management officials told Eyewitness News that 92 percent of Silver Oak's 337 apartments are occupied.
Goode Development plans to build 275 apartments.
District 5 Councilwoman Nancy Carter said the change is a step in the right direction.
"In the past, it's been a crime hot spot," Carter said.
Carter said the land will be redeveloped in phases.
"It will establish a neighborhood service code for the residents so it's even more walkable," Carter said.
But for current residents like Enos, there are still a lot of unanswered questions.
"If they're going to tear my building down, where am I going to go?" Enos said.
Carter said the long-term goals for the area near Monroe Road include access to the light rail, extended bus service and streetcars.