Downtown Master Plan Passes 5-0

By Dave Vieser — By a unanimous 5-0 vote, the Cornelius Board of Commissioners adopted the town’s downtown master plan during its July 20 meeting, capping a planning process that included nearly two years of input from consultants and residents, as well as multiple revisions based on community feedback since it was unveiled last fall.

The plan outlines a long-term vision for the future of downtown Cornelius, with recommendations for redevelopment, land use, transportation, public spaces, arts, branding and other initiatives. It covers approximately 220 acres in the town center and is intended to guide redevelopment and public investment over the coming decades. While the plan does not change zoning, it’s goal is to help shape future land-use decisions and capital projects.

Planning Director Rox Burhans said the final document reflects months of revisions prompted by public input.

“When we first unveiled the master plan, the community made some recommendations concerning transportation in the downtown area, and we were able to work through a series of some changes as we developed the plan over the past eight months,” Burhans said.

Burhans acknowledged that no master plan is perfect but said the document will continue to evolve.

“Probably not,” Burhans said when asked whether perfect master plans exist. “But this one — our 10th version — will mature over time and will continue to reflect the ongoing concerns of the community.”

Resident Michael Archer, who lives on Catawba Avenue, said change is inevitable.

“Our downtown area is going to change whether we have a master plan or not,” Archer said. “In my opinion we are better off with this plan than no plan at all.”

Commissioners said the master plan should be viewed as a living document and emphasized that concerns from downtown residents will continue to be considered as redevelopment moves forward.