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Cornelius News

Not quite a border war, but Cornelius defends northern edge

Sept. 21. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Town Board will look into how to write a resolution in opposition to the Potts Street Development that straddles the Davidson town line near the YMCA. Although the Cornelius portion of the rezoning application from Crescent Communities for nine homes has been withdrawn, plans for a 295 unit complex across the town line in Davidson remain in place.

“I know this is off our calendar but I think it would be helpful to still do something since this project is on neighborhood land which will have major implications for our town,” said Commissioner Dave Gilroy, who has strenuously opposed the project. His argument: Big multi-unit housing projects put too much strain on existing infrastructure.

It’s an interesting turn of events in a town that has put its seal of approval on almost anything with blueprints.

Indeed, roads to and from the proposed Davidson site traverse both towns in an area on North Main Street that sees plenty of congestion due to left-hand turns near the YMCA on Davidson Street and Potts Street near the railroad trestle. A significant number of Davidson residents have actively opposed the project.

Crescent Communities, well-known for high-quality projects, is the developer in this case.

Mayor Pro Tem Woody Washam took a more measured approach than Gilroy. “I’m also opposed to the project but I don’t necessarily like other towns getting into our business. I’d like to discuss this with our town attorneys.”

Town Manager Anthony Roberts said he will meet with the town attorney to see what the commissioners can do in a situation like this. “We need to focus on the impact this could have on Cornelius,” said Mayor Chuck Travis “and not necessarily telling Davidson what to do.”

In other action, the commissioners:

  • Tabled a resolution until the Oct. 1 meeting opposing the CMS $922 million bond package which will be on the ballot in November. Opponents to the bond package, including the Huntersville Town Board, do not believe the proposed school projects include enough in the northern section of the county. The board had prepared a draft but some members were not happy with the wording. Earlier in the meeting, former CMS Superintendent Ann Clark made a lengthy presentation on the bond issue.
  • Appointed James “Trey” Fouche to Seat 2 on the PARC Commission, to fill a partial term that will expire February 2020. This seat was vacated by Karina Baril, who has moved out of state.
  • Reappointed Teresa Hawkins and Rick Kamakaris to serve an additional two years on the town Architectural Review Board. Their terms will expire in 2019.