Photo by Jason Benavides

March 15. By Dave Vieser. Cornelius commissioners will consider recommendations to the town’s Land Use Plan next month. The Growth Management Task Force (GMTF) had previously submitted their suggestions which have been under review for several months.

How to manage growth became the leading issue in local elections two years ago, with four out of five commissioners losing their bids for re-election.

What is a Land Use Plan?

The Land Use Plan is a document designed to guide the future development of Cornelius. It presents a vision for the future, with long-range goals and objectives, and includes guidance on how to make decisions on land development proposals and sets the stage for how the Town will grow in the future.

How long will it be in effect?

This edition of the Land Use Plan has an anticipated shelf life of 5-7 years. The primary purpose is to manage growth until such time as NCDOT makes substantial progress on several road projects that will impact vehicle capacity and improve congestion.

What’s different?

At their March 13 meeting, the town’s Planning Board signed off on the previous recommendations with one major exception:

The limitation on downtown structures was originally proposed at 3 stories and 45 feet on the street stepping back to 4 stories and 60 feet in the rear of the property.

“The Planning Board amended this policy to say that height will be looked at in a form based technique, where each application will be evaluated on a case by case basis,” according to Deputy Town Manager Wayne Herron.

Whether this change will be accepted by the Town Board remains to be seen, possibly as soon as their April 3 meeting.

What happens in 5-7 years?

At the end of the 5-7 year period, it is anticipated the Town will revisit the Land Use Plan. Hopefully more NCDOT road projects in town will have been completed.