Town Board Approves Washam Potts Rezoning
By Dave Vieser — The Cornelius Town Board on Monday unanimously approved the rezoning of 0.51 acres at 9427 Westmoreland Road from Neighborhood Residential to Neighborhood Mixed Use.
The approval came after property owner Tina Karres withdrew an earlier request to rezone the property to Highway Commercial, which was opposed by the Planning Board. Karres operates a nail salon on an adjacent parcel and had initially sought the Highway Commercial designation.
Planning Board members recommended against that request, citing the property’s proximity to J.V. Washam Elementary School and nearby homes. Karres subsequently agreed to seek Neighborhood Mixed Use, or NMX, zoning instead.
Assistant Planning Director David Cole said the property serves as a transition between the higher-intensity Highway Commercial zoning along Statesville Road and the residential corridors along Westmoreland Road and Washam Potts Road.
“The town’s Land Use Plan considers NMX more appropriate on this property, as this zoning district allows small-scale retail and office uses, but on a smaller, more neighborhood-friendly scale in order to provide a logical transition between the two zones,” Cole said.
News and notes
Cook
- The board was introduced to Catherine Cook, who will become the town clerk later this fall when current Town Clerk Lori Harrell retires. Cook is joining the town from Huntersville, where she serves as deputy town clerk.
- Retiring Cornelius Police Officer Baxter Rowe received congratulations from Police Chief David Baucom during Monday’s meeting. Rowe spent the past decade as a school resource officer, most recently at Cornelius Elementary School, where he was popular with students, faculty and staff.
