Sept. 17. By Dave Vieser. Developer Jake Palillo has plans for Boatyard Lake Norman, the 3.4 acre outdoor music venue at the corner of Westmoreland and Hwy 21/Statesville Road, which would turn the site into an automotive services complex with a convenience store and gas pumps, a car wash, multiple detailing options and an oil/lube facility.

The proposed redevelopment, which would require rezoning, goes before the Cornelius Pre-development Review Committee (PDRC) tomorrow, Sept. 19.

The PDRC acts as an advisory group, providing feedback developers before they file their formal rezoning applications with the town.

Quotable

Reached Wednesday morning, Palillo said the site is under contract with the current owner, Old Swan Development. “Assuming we receive zoning approval from the town, I would like to have the car wash facility open by late next year,” he said. Palillo also envisions that this will be one in a series of similar car wash facilities he would open in the region.

The contract price was not disclosed.

Background

Palillo is one of the most prolific and noteworthy developers in North Mecklenburg with projects like Bailey’s Glen in Cornelius and Symphony Park in Huntersville under his belt as well as multimillion-dollar lakefront estates.

But plans for a “Crystal Lagoon” sank in Huntersville when residents turned out against the proposed development which included condos and retail along Hwy. 73 near Westmoreland on what is now farmland.

BoatYard launch

The BoatYard property is a landmark in Cornelius, having opened in the 1970s as a boat dealership until ultimately closing with inventory still inside. Members of the Stockwell family purchased it in 2016 for $1.7 million, opening it as BoatYard Eats in 2018.

When it first opened, the facility generated numerous complaints from many neighbors regarding loud music. The town worked with the business owners and neighbors to address those concerns, including the adoption of new town sound ordinances.

The food, beverage and live entertainment business changed hands in 2020, but the property remained in the hands of Old Swan Development, where members of the Stockwell family are members of the LLC.

The visionary behind BoatYard Eats was David Stockwell who passed away in May of 2023 at the age of 42.

Bouk Management owner Chris Boukedes took over operation of the venue in 2020, and it has hosted an increasing, steady stream of live entertainment since.

Boukedes could not be reached for comment.

Attend the meeting

The PDRC meeting is scheduled to begin at 12:30 pm Thursday Sept. 19, in Room 204 at Town Hall on Catawba Avenue. It is open to the public.