Property, outlined in red, is southwest of Cornelius Elementary

Jan. 18. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Town Board unanimously approved a rezoning for a 3.9 acre parcel on Smith Circle. Applicant Steve Terpak plans to develop a 12-lot, single-family residential subdivision at that location. The stately mansion that was once the home of the Smith family will eventually be demolished.

The density of the project, called the Reserve at Smith Circle, is under four units per acre, which is the recommended limit for that location pursuant to the town Land Development Code. Projected prices for the new homes have risen from the mid-$400,000 range to above $600,000.

Residents’ concerns

Prior to the vote, commissioners who ran on a smart growth platform addressed concerns expressed previously by nearby residents. “I like that this project is residential homes and that it is smaller and less dense than what we require” said Commissioner Colin Furcht. Fellow commissioner Dave Gilroy concurred.” This is reasonable, it’s infill, high quality homes. It’s progress in an area of town where we need more progress.”

Photo by Jason Benavides

In other action, the town board:

—Honored retiring Police Chief Kevin Black. “ We owe Chief Black a huge debt of gratitude for his 30 years of dedicated service to the Town “ said Mayor Woody Washam. “He has led our Police Department through three decades of growth and I am grateful to him for a job and career very well done. “

—Approved the expenditure $162,500 in asset forfeiture funds to provide $65,000 for a new police undercover vehicle, $31,000 to purchase ballistic helmets,$30,000 to purchase replacement K-9, $17,500 to purchase SWAT Team equipment, $10,000 to purchase ammunition for training and $9,000 to purchase rifles and handguns.

—Reappointed Trey Fouche to the Parks and Recreation Board for a term ending inJanuary 2026, and Andrew Heywood to a term also ending in January 2026.