Brewery, beer garden and residences

Aug. 15. By Dave Vieser. The developer of Greenway Gartens has asked the town to schedule their public hearing—and possible approval—for the Sept. 7 Town Board meeting. The project encompasses 25 acres on Zion Avenue and includes 398 multi-family units, 50 townhomes, and 55,000 square feet of commercial space including a brewery and beer garden.

The Planning Board will review the project, in conjunction with the adjacent Caroline mixed-use development, on Sept. 2.

Greenway Gartens has generated some opposition in nearby Antiquity.

Density is an issue

“It concerns us greatly because of its density, its disregard for preserving a beautiful wooded area, and because of the added traffic it would bring to an already congested area,” said Bill and Kathleen Tilburg, who live on Innkeepers Way. “We would hope that the Planning Board and commissioners would not accept the current proposal, request changes from the developer and share these changes with residents prior to approval.”

Antiquity residents formed Citizens Advocating Responsible Development (CARD) and held candidate forums in recent weeks.

“The level of density proposed in this project is not only irresponsible it is actually destructive to both the environment and our quality of life in Cornelius,” said Jacquelyn Culpepper and Clem Huffman who live on Chapel Way.

Background

Northwood Ravin was formed in 2011 by Northwood Investors and Ravin Partners LLC. Ravin Partners was formed by David Ravin from the former residential division of Crosland LLC, one of the most prominent diversified real estate companies in the Southeast.

Efforts to reach the developer were unsuccessful.

The planning and town board hearings will be streamed live on the town website: www.cornelius.org.