Residents prepare to speak at the Town Board meeting on Lightbridge Academy
Nov. 12. By Dave Vieser. Plans to build a pre-school facility at the intersection of West Catawba and Edinburgh Square Drive have been withdrawn and a commercial office building will be constructed at that site instead.
The pre school project would have required rezoning of the site from Village Center Zoning to Conditional Zoning.
Quotable
“The property owner has approved plans for commercial development on the property“ said Cornelius Planning Director Rox Burhans. “Our understanding is that he intends to develop the property consistent with those plans.”
Indeed, all trees and brush on the site have been leveled.
Rendering of Lightbridge Academy
Background
At a town board meeting held on July 15, residents voiced strenuous objections to plans from First Hartford Realty Co. to construct a 13,400-square-foot, one-story early childcare center and preschool. The proposal called for 42 parking spaces.
The major source of concern from the residents was the traffic. In response, attorneys for the applicant noted that the current zoning for that site would permit more parking spaces than the preschool proposal.
That did not mollify the dozens of residents who stated that their concerns were more focused on the many cars picking up or dropping off the children.
Efforts to reach officials from First Hartford Realty were unsuccessful.
The pre-school proposal was withdrawn in October. Town regulations do not require that any announcement be made.
“Indeed, all trees and brush on the site have been leveled.” Cornelius politicians take another step toward achieving a concrete jungle!
Posted by Donn Leppard | November 12, 2024, 9:05 amThis makes no sense whatsoever, still a building and more parking spaces with traffic.
Posted by chris smith | November 12, 2024, 11:30 amCongrats to the residents that “voiced strenuous objections”. Now a development with no town nor citizen input. Guess everyone got what you wanted. 🙂
Posted by Jerome Ross | November 12, 2024, 11:53 amJerome…Someone will certainly clarify but it is my understanding that the current development was approved several years ago as was the [building] that now contains the coffee shop. The school was going to replace the original plan thus the need for new hearings.
Posted by Kevin Moore | November 13, 2024, 7:48 amThat is correct, it was already zoned for office space like that across from Edinburgh Square so they did not have to have hearings.
Posted by Steve | November 14, 2024, 10:27 am