The 2023 Apex Tree Canopy Assessment exposed a crisis: 23% of our trees (2,180 acres) vanished in a decade, making Apex Wake County's #1 deforester. Cookie-cutter density sprawl threatens our air, homes, pets, children and identity. We demand smart growth, transparency, and action from the Mayor and Town Council to protect our trees and shape a sustainable future.
What's Broken vs. What's Possible:
We've Been Told: Apex is exempt from its tree ordinances, causing deforestation in public spaces (e.g., Pleasant Park).
Possible: Apex must comply with its ordinances, leading by example for tree preservation.
We've Been Told: UDO 8.1.2 lets developers bypass or meet minimal tree preservation standards.
Possible: Strengthen UDO to expand tree protections, following Raleigh's 2022 model (directed 2/15/2022).
We've Been Told: 20% of canopy loss is due to I-540 expansion.
Possible: Partner with NCDOT, like Morrisville, to replant along I-540 and restore canopy.
We've Been Told: Apex's 240+ miles of road right-of-way are underused for trees.
Possible: Adopt Durham's 10,000-tree program to plant in road right-of-ways, enhancing streets.
We've Been Told: Wake County identified planting sites (e.g., Pleasant Park, schools), but action stalls.
Possible: Publish planting sites and collaborate with pro-tree groups to replant now.
We've Been Told: Apex's Plant-a-Tree program costs more than neighboring towns' programs.
Possible: Cut costs, increase Town funding, and leverage partnerships for efficient replanting.
We've Been Told: Development drives tree loss, seen as inevitable.
Possible: Enforce strict tree protections, as other communities do, balancing development with greenery.
Our Demands:
• Accountability: Require Apex to follow its UDO tree protections for all Town projects.
• Community Voice: Host a livestreamed, accessible workshop to address concerns, with replays on YouTube.
• Transparency: Publish development data, including: Development Name, Year Approved, Acres, RCA % per zoning, Mass Grading Penalty (Y/N), Developer/HOA Contact.
• Clear Goal: Develop a strategy for 50% canopy coverage within Town limits, with annual goals, loss reports, and progress updates.
• Economic Clarity: Include the economic impact of tree loss in every new development application, per the Canopy Assessment.
Sign now to nurture a greener, open Apex every day!
