Alexander Farm property at Westmoreland and Catawba
Nov. 18. By Dave Vieser. Plans for a convenience store and service station have been pulled from the Alexander Farm project, which has affected the partnership behind the $110-million project. The modifications will also delay approval timelines. Town officials confirmed today that a change is expected.
HERRON
“We are awaiting a revised plan or an amended plan that the applicant would like to have reviewed and presented for public review,” said Planning Director Wayne Herron.
Real estate sources confirmed that the convenience store was axed after ongoing concerns expressed at public and community meetings.
WIN Development’s original proposal for the property at Westmoreland and Catawba, called for a mixed-use development consisting of neighborhood commercial, senior independent living, single-family residences and open space. It would have included a combination convenience store and gas station.
SUSAN IRVIN
A community meeting and public hearing were held this past summer, and both brought out concerns over the convenience store, as well as traffic and development. At full build-out, the development was valued in excess of $110 million.
Susan Irvin, attorney representing the developer, estimated in August that, if the project was approved in January 2020, it could take 3-4 years to reach full buildout. However, since the required traffic study hasn’t begun, and it must be approved before the construction starts, a January 2020 approval will be impossible.
“Based on the necessary modeling and the required review and approval time by NCDOT Congestion Management, we have advised the applicant that it will most likely be a six-month process to approve the traffic study once it begins,” said Herron.
One of the other major concerns raised during the summer meetings was the possibility of construction work occurring simultaneously on the widening of West Catawba Avenue and Alexander Farm project. Since that time, the DOT has revealed a new schedule for the widening, delaying the project due to fiscal issues.
At the Aug. 5 public hearing, Herron said there would be efforts made to phase the two projects “to ease the pain as much as possible for our residents.” The phasing would be included in the final conditional zoning agreement authorized by the town.
