Bailey Road runs across the bottom of this site plan

Jan. 13. By Dave Yochum. A commercial development that was proposed for the north side of Bailey Road just east of Hwy. 115 has been dramatically modified in hopes of making it through the approval process in Cornelius.

Greenberg Gibbons Properties withdrew their plans to build Cornelius Commerce Center in July of 2023 after opposition from neighbors—Bailey’s Glen in particular—largely about traffic.

The revised plan reduces the number of buildings from five to four.

It also:

±Reduces the square footage by over 10,000 square feet

Drew Thigpen

±Increases landscaping setbacks from 30 feet to 40 feet

±Adds green space and public amenities.

±Addresses an existing sight distance safety hazard at a current Bailey Road Park entrance.

Amenities

Drew Thigpen, partner at Greenberg Gibbons, said the amenities include a half-acre public dog park, four pickleball courts and more than 4,600 feet of sidewalks and walking trails at no cost to the Town.

“We’re really excited about the project, and we’re confident about the ultimate outcome, because we have made extensive changes and modifications to the proposed project, all of which result in a project that is drastically improved for all stakeholders, most notably the Cornelius residents,” Thigpen said.

He said it conforms to the land use that Cornelius planners have identified and reserved this parcel for, a business campus.

Next up

The project, renamed Cornelius Business Park, will go before the Pre-development Review Committee in a matter of weeks, then the Planning Board and, ultimately, the Town Board.

Background

The property has been owned by members of the Hunter family who are ready to sell.

“This is a project that anyone who is interested in or passionate about personal property rights should be following very closely, whether you’re in Cornelius or anywhere in North Carolina,” said Wes Hunter on behalf of the property owners.

Greenberg Gibbons will invest $40 million into the project.

Quotable

“It’s critical for all residents in Cornelius to know that one of the most difficult things to unwind for a town is if it becomes a bedroom community – if it becomes the type of town where everyone leaves to work. Once that happens, one of two things must happen: either the level of services the town can provide deteriorate or property taxes must go up. This project will directly reduce the need to increase property taxes.”

—Drew Thigpen, of Greenberg Gibbons