By Dave Vieser. Cornelius’ 2014 Land Use Plan appears headed for a review if not an overhaul. The reason has to do with recent rezoning hearings where residents, current commissioners and past commissioners expressed concern about some of the density guidelines in the current master plan.
“I’ve been using this as my guiding document but I think its time for the town to dust it off and take another look,” said Commissioner Mike Miltich. “We should also take this opportunity to roll in affordable and workforce housing too. This all has to come together as a unified plan for the town.”
A land use plan guides how, when, and where new growth, redevelopment and preservation should occur in a particular area of the town. It is a general policy guide which forms a set of strategies for achieving specific community goals. While it is often used for guidance, the plan in itself is not necessarily regulatory or legally binding.
Cornelius’ existing land use plan was put together over a two-year period and adopted in 2014. It carries a permitted residential density maximum of four units per acre. This limit came under intense criticism at recent hearings on townhomes proposed near Washam Potts Road.
Assistant Town Manager Wayne Herron, who was previously the town’s planning director, said he would devise an approach which will reach out to the citizens of the town and get as much input as possible. “We would also plan to have a series of community meetings and if possible go to the impacted parts of town and get their input too,” Herron added.
Once citizen input is compiled, the Planning Board would step in and complete the review. “We have an entirely different board than the one in 2014 and I know the members would be excited about the prospect of reviewing our land use guidelines,” he added.
Mayor Woody Washam agrees that a review is needed now. “This is especially important for future planning and in terms of the workforce and affordable housing aspect, we need to have a plan in order to meet the funding requirements of the federal and state government. Right now we have no plan.”
