Oct. 14. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Planning Board at its Oct. 13 meeting unanimously approved the Downtown Master Plan, the culmination of 15 months of work that aims to shape the future of downtown over the near- and long-term future.

“This plan contemplates a bold new vision for Old Town Cornelius over the next 25 years,” said Town Planning Director Rox Burhans, who added that it was developed with input from residents, local businesses and planning experts.

The master plan focuses on a 220-acre area along Catawba Avenue and Main Street (Highway 115). It not only analyzes existing conditions but also provides a cohesive vision for the future of Old Town. The key sections of the plan include:

• An overview of recommended land uses identifying preferred uses, development characteristics and economic development sites throughout the study area.

• A redevelopment design and implementation strategy for the core downtown area, including an analysis of current and future parking needs and infrastructure.

• An emphasis on new art, branding and placemaking opportunities that build upon existing assets such as the Cain Center, as well as improved gateway corridors.

• A detailed implementation strategy, timeframe and funding recommendations.

• A reimagined transportation network that prioritizes multimodal users, recommends the preferred location for the future CATS park-and-ride, and reconnects the adjoining street grid to improve traffic flow.

The full master plan is available here, and an executive summary can be found here.

The vision was developed in partnership with Kimley-Horn, a Charlotte-based engineering, planning and design firm that was paid $169,200 by the town to prepare the plan.

Kimley-Horn’s Kyle Baugh expressed appreciation for the community’s engagement.

“I’ve done many of these studies, and the input and cooperation we received here in Cornelius was really outstanding and very much appreciated,” he said.

The final step will be a public hearing and a decision by the Town Board. The date for that meeting was not discussed Monday night. A town official indicated it would occur sometime in the coming months but no firm date was set.