CHARLOTTE — There’s a fight to save trees across Mecklenburg County as crews plan to cut down more areas that are near billboards.
According to one state lawmaker, there are dozens more spots where trees could be cut down.
We’ve told you about the trees that were cut down along Independence Boulevard to provide a better view of the billboard there. Business owners nearby were caught by surprise, and they say the clearing creates more noise pollution and light pollution.
A state law passed in 2024 allowed billboard companies to remove hundreds of these trees so people can see the billboard better. And this year’s budget makes the permit to do so cost only $400.
Now what happened along Independence Boulevard may happen in dozens of other places across the county.
Channel 9 created a map showing the 40 locations across Mecklenburg County where permits have been issued to cut down trees near billboards. The permits were obtained by Charlotte State Senator Caleb Theodros. You can see many are centered around the Brookshire corridor.
Theodros held a press conference Thursday morning to raise awareness about the issue.
State law doesn’t require nearby businesses or homeowners to be notified. It also doesn’t require trees to be replanted. Plaza Midwood businesses are furious about the destruction of the trees blocking the neighborhood from the highway and are warning this will happen to other neighborhoods
“I have to admit I didn’t realize what we had here until it was gone. I certainly knew how special this neighborhood and the people were. But to start to see those trees fall startled me in a way that I didn’t expect,” said Todd Huber, the owner of Undercurrent Coffee.
There are three trees still standing nearby, though -- those are Dogwood trees. Apparently, the law says they have to be preserved. But since they are now fully exposed to the sun, neighbors question whether they will survive.
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