By Dave Vieser.  Pricey single-family homes and two commercial buildings are being proposed for a new development in Cornelius on the west side of West Catawba Avenue not far from the Nantz Road intersection.             

David Smith of Barringer and Smith Properties plans 21 new homes on the 8.4 acre, mixed-use project called “Cambridge Square.” A community meeting is set for Thursday Sept. 6 at 6:00 p.m. in Town Hall.

Wayne Herron, the town’s planning director, said the site is currently zoned Neighborhood Mixed Use within the Lake Norman Watershed Critical Area. The requested zoning is known as conditional.

The property in question includes the Iglesia Vida Nueva Church, which formerly served as the North Mecklenburg Senior Center. Smith says he expects the church will relocate and the building will be repurposed for a future commercial tenant.

Smith says the new homes, all with four bedrooms and 3.5 baths, will be similar in size and amenities to developments such as Jetton Place and Robbins Park. “With current market conditions, I’d estimate they would be in the upper $600s to upper $700s in price.  We are not planning any age restrictions on the new homes at this time.”

According to the application filed with the town, a new commercial structure will also be erected fronting on West Catawba Avenue. Both of the commercial buildings will not exceed 9,900 square feet each.

To promote walkability within the local business corridor, a walkway will link the residential portion of the site to West Catawba.

The infill project also reflects future anticipated NCDOT improvements to West Catawba Avenue.