Public Hearing Monday on Bethel Church Rezoning

By Dave Vieser — Citizens will have their only opportunity to address the Cornelius Town Board on Monday, Nov. 2, regarding an expansion plan proposed by Bethel Presbyterian Church.

The church seeks to rezone approximately 13 acres of its property on the east side of Bethel Church Road, just north of West Catawba Avenue, to accommodate a 6,500-square-foot building addition and other site improvements.

The proposal received unanimous approval from the town’s planning board in October. Under the proposal, the existing fellowship hall would be demolished and replaced with a new building. The playground would be relocated from the side of the building to the rear of the site. Parking spaces would be added around the new building to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Some buildings on the property were constructed before the town established its Land Development Code. To bring the site into greater compliance, the church proposes dedicating easements along the Bethel Church Road frontage for future bicycle and pedestrian improvements, installing bicycle racks, adding an internal sidewalk connecting the main building entrance to the existing crosswalk on Bethel Church Road, and screening dumpsters.

The church also plans to plant additional trees along Bethel Church Road and within the site.

The town used an abbreviated review process for the rezoning, eliminating the requirement for a community meeting. The process is used infrequently but was part of the approval of the Cornelius History Museum and is being considered for a potential Wegmans on Statesville Road.

“The town’s Land Development Code permits the use of an abbreviated conditional rezoning process when warranted, which still complies with state law,” said Planning Director Rox Burhans.

The Town Board meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Town Hall on Catawba Avenue. It will also be streamed live on the town’s website.