urban planning
After more than 100 years, Smithville’s time has come
RENEWAL | By Erica Batten July 19. In the year since the Town of Cornelius approved the small-area plan proposed by the Smithville Community Coalition, the nonprofit has been steadily moving forward with its revitalization and affordable housing efforts for the historically African American community in the heart of Cornelius. A tour of the area, […]
Planning Board, Town Board OK revisions to Alexander Farm plan
May 17. By Dave Yochum. A request by Alexander Farms to increase a previously approved rezoning plan for 130 independent senior living units to 143 was unanimously approved by the Cornelius Town Board at last night’s meeting. Earlier in the day, the Planning Board had also approved the plan which includes relocating and preserving the […]
Building boom. Or bust? Major projects face obstacles
April 22. By Dave Vieser. During 2021, the Cornelius Town Board approved rezoning for 1,442 residential units. While growth in Cornelius is inevitable, the numbers are still astonishing. Politically, the volume of residential units approved turned out to be problematic. Indeed, four of the five Town Board incumbents were not reelected; development was a major […]
Alexander Farm project: First you Z it…then you don’t
April 13. By Dave Vieser. For those who recently saw the public hearing “Z” signs posted on the Alexander Farm development site—only to be removed a few days later—here’s the scoop. The signs were posted last month when Florida-based WIN Development appealed a decision by the town which wouldn’t permit them to build more senior […]
Smithville revitalization plan gets nod from Planning Board
March 15. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Planning Board has unanimously endorsed the Smithville Revitalization Plan. The approval at Monday’s meeting followed a detailed overview of the plan provided by Willie Jones of the Smithville Community Coalition which calls for workforce housing, rehabilitation of existing properties and subdividing some properties in the historically Black community […]
No place for home: Historic tenant house has no place to go
March 14. By Dave Yochum. It turns out there’s a glitch in the efforts to save the tenant house on the Alexander Farm at the corner of Westmoreland and West Catawba. The town may have identified a permanent site, but it won’t be ready any time soon. Meanwhile, an April 12 demolition deadline is looming. […]
Town Board calls time-out on some new projects
Dec. 21. By Dave Yochum. The Town Board voted 5-0 Monday night for a resolution calling for a time-out on multi-family projects and development of land set aside for rural preservation. Additionally, the resolution, which states that traffic congestion in Cornelius is “overwhelming and critical,” calls for a prompt review and revision of the town’s […]
More parking coming to downtown Cornelius
Dec. 21. By Dave Vieser. The Town of Cornelius has awarded a $712,957 contract to Sloan Construction for the construction of two new parking lots in downtown Cornelius as well as 25 new parking spaces behind Town Hall. Cornelius-based Sloan was the lowest of three construction firms which bid on the project which will comprise […]
Town Board defers rezoning request to December meeting
Nov. 16. By Dave Vieser. Three Cornelius residents addressed the six-story height contained in a proposal for a new mixed-use building at last night’s Town Board meeting. Developer Justin Ckezepis (pronounced kuh-ZEP-is) hopes to rezone approximately one half acre at 19615 Bethel Church for a building with four stories devoted to commercial; two for residential; […]
What do they think? 9 candidates for Town Board discuss Bus Rapid Transit
Sept. 27. By Dave Yochum. A commuter rail line serving North Meck looks more and more like pie in the sky, despite transit oriented developments—like Antiquity in Cornelius and Bryton in Huntersville—that were built around promises made by Charlotte leaders over the years. North Meck voters have had a history of supporting transit, dating back […]
