New Hotel Approved by Town Board

By Dave Vieser — The Cornelius Town Board narrowly approved a rezoning that will allow developer Jake Palillo to build a hotel known as the Cornelius Inn on N.C. 73 in the southeast corner of town.

The 3-2 vote followed a roughly one-hour public hearing at Town Hall, where much of the opposition came from Davidson residents who live near the proposed site.

Commissioners Susan Johnson, Robert Carney and Scott Higgins voted in favor of the rezoning. Commissioners Colin Furcht and Mike Osborne voted against it.

The commissioners who supported the rezoning said the project would help meet the need for additional hotel rooms in the area. Furcht said he liked the proposal but opposed its location.

About 30 people attended the hearing, with several expressing opposition to the project.

Palillo was seeking to rezone 6.3 acres at the intersection of N.C. 73 and Mayes Road for a 45,000-square-foot, 40-room hotel. The proposal also includes seven cottages and a 4,500-square-foot spa and clubhouse.

The project has generated debate, particularly among residents who live near the site.

In July, the town Planning Board voted 5-3 to recommend approval of the rezoning.

Before the hearing, town planning staff recommended approval with conditions, saying the proposed low-intensity commercial development would be appropriate for the site and would provide a transition between higher-intensity commercial uses and existing homes along Mayes Road.

Palillo said construction of the Cornelius Inn would likely take at least two years.