Jan. 17. [Opinion] Growth of Cornelius is a positive sign that we live in an innovative and thriving community. Growth also increases the demand for public services, and public safety always ranks as the top priority for local government. While it’s easy to vilify the frustrations that accompany growth and change, the alternative is living in a declining area where services need to be cut due to declining revenue.

Leaders, past and present, work within constraints (money, demand, availability of land, etc) to provide outstanding services at that time.

I assume no one desires a reduction in public safety amid an increasing population. Proper planning is crucial and future projections for growth and demand always accompany proposed projects.

Please reach out directly (704-301-4441), I would love to hear creative or innovative solutions that haven’t been vetted by city planners.

Infrastructure

Lack of infrastructure is a consistent theme when new development arises. “North Carolina local governments have limited authority to charge impact fees. North Carolina courts have ruled that impact fees cannot be used to fund general government infrastructure or services.”

Todd Sansbury

We, as local leaders, feel the same frustrations and lobby our leaders in Raleigh to give municipalities more local authority. Please direct your energy towards the change agents (state representatives).

Road projects

Cornelius has six road projects underway and receives 8-10x investment back into our community compared to what we pay in regarding road infrastructure.

—Todd Sansbury, commmissioner

Cornelius Town Board