Photo by Jason Benavides

March 29. By Dave Vieser. A final decision on the Land Use Plan changes submitted by the Cornelius Growth Management Task Force (GMTF) may happen at the next Town Board meeting April 3.

Growth was a deciding factor in the November 2021 town board elections, when four of the incumbents were defeated. The following January the new Town Board members formed the task force to study the town’s Land Use Plan—a policy document to guide growth and development.

The task force met 14 times throughout 2022 and then issued a report which contained recommendations for the Land Use Plan.

The suggested changes would apply to such issues as the height of buildings in various portions of the town, as well as density along the West Catawba Avenue and open space. The new rules would cap out the population at about 39,000 vs. the 45,000 projected now.

The proposed Land Use Plan would increase potential open space in the Rural Preservation category by 54 percent compared to the 2020 Land Use Plan.

The plan has a five- to seven-year shelf life.

The GMTF report has been reviewed by several town committees including the Planning Board and some additional modifications have been suggested. For example, the limitation on downtown structures was originally proposed at three stories and 45 feet on the street stepping back to four stories and 60 feet in the rear of the property.

The Planning Board amended this policy to say that height will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Prior to any decision on April 3, an opportunity for the public to comment on the GMTF recommendations will be provided by the commissioners.

The meeting will begin at 6 pm in Town Hall on Catawba Avenue. It may also be viewed via live stream on the town website: www.cornelius.org.

The GMTF recommendations can also be found on the town web site.