Chad Robinson, Lee Fleming at Town Hall May 5
May 6. By Dave Vieser. It looks like more residents on Nantz Road have joined the opposition to Sunset Cove, a rezoning proposal to establish a venue on lakefront property near Ramsey Creek Park. The proposed rezoning includes converting two large single-family homes into event space for weddings and corporate events. The proposal also includes a 6,000 square foot event tent space.
At Monday’s Town Board Meeting, resident Chad Robinson urged the town to turn down the measure. “The proposed venue is the wrong business in the wrong spot,” he said. Several other neighbors attended the meeting as well.
Signs have recently emerged along Nantz Road expressing opposition, which focuses on parking and traffic issues. The proposal is tentatively scheduled for a planning board hearing in the June/July time frame.
Almost every resident on Nantz Rd has signs out expressing their disfavor and the neighborhoods adjacent such as Yachtman Shores and the mature living community down Lakeside Loop have verbally expressed their disapproval of this passing but the ball in in the town’s court now. Let’s see if money and influence win over representative government in Cornelius…again.
Posted by James Retarides | May 6, 2025, 12:20 pmRight venue, wrong spot indeed, this is a residential zoning area. Not a commercial, with alcohol sales one.
Posted by Redd Williams | May 6, 2025, 12:21 pmThe Griffin’s stated the reason for the rezoning request is to preserve their property. Very self-serving! With no concern for the community or our property/values. Will they be here to help us preserve our property?
Posted by Beverly Miller | May 6, 2025, 8:13 pmI understand the concerns of property owners who want to maintain quiet, well-preserved neighborhoods, and appreciate how such care can enhance property values-just as we see with our homes on the lake.
If I may share a similar example from Plaza Midwood: I owned homes there, including one just two blocks from the historic VanLandingham Estate. This estate, built in 1913 on nearly 3 acres with beautiful gardens, has been a cherished wedding and event venue that actually increased the value of surrounding properties.
Think of it like a private neighborhood clubhouse-if community members were granted special access or privileges, it could add unique value that few neighborhoods enjoy.
I encourage everyone to keep an open mind. Like the VanLandingham Estate, this event center proposed by the Griffin family offers benefits that outweigh the negatives. Beyond personal property value, it’s about sharing the beauty and resources of our community with others who might otherwise only admire it from afar.
My hope is that the homeowners and the Griffin family collaborate to create added value for all-perhaps starting with a community advisory group to guide management, operations, and neighborhood benefits. A neighborhood capital fund could also support improvements funded by event revenues.
I’m not saying all my ideas are perfect, but I urge thinking bigger-not smaller. Let’s seek multiple ways to enjoy and enhance our neighborhood, beyond just being a place to live quietly. Bigger thinking can bring us all a better quality of life and greater home values.
Please allow me a moment to think out loud:
What if…….the Griffin family agreed to:
• Social Hub: A clubhouse serves as a central gathering place where residents naturally meet and build connections.
• Event Venue: It provides a convenient, accessible space for hosting community events, classes, parties, and meetings, encouraging resident participation and engagement.
• Space: Clubhouses can be used for private events, creating a revenue stream for the community and showcasing the neighborhood to potential future residents.
• Enhanced Security: Clubhouses often include security features like staffed desks or surveillance, improving overall neighborhood safety.
• Fitness and Recreation: Many clubhouses offer gyms, pools, playgrounds, and recreational spaces that promote healthy, active lifestyles without the need for off-site membership.
• Family and Educational Benefits: Private rooms can be used for studying, tutoring, or family gatherings, providing quiet, distraction-free environments that support learning and enrichment for elderly or youth exclusive to your community.
• Increased Property Value: The presence of a clubhouse is a sought-after amenity that can boost home values.
• Convenience and Lifestyle: Clubhouses reduce the need to travel for social, recreational, or fitness activities, making it easier for residents to maintain an active and connected lifestyle,
• Inclusive for All Ages: Amenities and social spaces cater to diverse age groups, from children to seniors, enhancing mental and physical well-being across the community.
Posted by Joe a vagnone | May 7, 2025, 11:58 amThe chances of the Griffin Family allowing any type of community access to their facility is zero. They have their driveway marked with “private drive” and the first time they even acknowledged the community was when they needed support for their rezoning and invited neighbors over for a meeting.
The Griffins are all about the Griffins. They have an extensive portfolio of businesses and don’t need this space for another. It’s all about greed…shameful that they are trying to do this to our community.
Posted by Anonymous | May 7, 2025, 6:51 pmI believe this rezoning would be spot zoning. Spot zoning refers to the practice of rezoning a specific parcel of land in a way that is inconsistent with the surrounding area’s zoning or the broader zoning plan, often to benefit a particular property owner or developer.
Posted by Mike | May 7, 2025, 1:56 pmIf the Nantz rd rezoning is approved— will your neighborhood be next?
Posted by Beverly | May 10, 2025, 8:39 amEveryone who is against this Self-serving venture should email the five Town Commissioners & Mayor at Cornelius.org. There is an easy link to follow. If you don’t let the powers to be know of all of our opposition, then i’m afraid Jame’s response will be prophetic. Also, please know that all these meetings are open to the public. They are not that well publiciced, but you are allowed to show up & speak your disproval in person. I’ve found over the years that this is the most impactful! But we are all very busy, so a bombardment of their email is ecfective as well!
Posted by Lee Fleming | May 7, 2025, 3:06 pmGood call.
ElectedOfficials@cornelius.org
Posted by Mike | May 7, 2025, 3:35 pmThe Griffin’s real estate value goes up substantially once it is rezoned to commercial. The adjoining residential properties will go down. The Mayor and planning board have already voiced their support, so it will take some aggressive action from residents to bring this to a halt.
The Griffins are professional real estate developers and they know exactly what they are doing here. This is their foot in the door to get the property rezoned and expand aggressively from there. They will buy adjoining properties, get those rezoned, add a restaurant, add a marina, add condos, etc… 10 years from now, you will not be able to recognize Nantz Rd. They are counting/planning on neighbors being so frustrated, they just sell their homes to the Griffins.
The City has given zero visibility into controls of this property. Access, headcount limits, operating hours, quiet hours, vehicle limits, light pollution from parking lights, expansion rights, acquiring additional property rights, rules in case of bankruptcy, rules in case of sale, new ownership rezoning rights, just to name a few.
The Griffins have the City Council in their hip pocket and is playing them for fools. Every aspect of this proposal would get shot down if anyone else on Lake Norman tried to get this same exception. That tells us one thing – The City Council stands to benefit personally from this deal. Money has exchanged hands and/or promises given.
Posted by Concerned Cornelius Family | May 7, 2025, 3:14 pmI believe this to be spot zoning, which is unlawful.
Spot zoning refers to the practice of rezoning a specific parcel of land in a way that is inconsistent with the surrounding area’s zoning or the broader zoning plan, often to benefit a particular property owner or developer.
Posted by Mike | May 7, 2025, 3:20 pmI should also inform everyone that this has been an ongoing profit driven endeavor in my opinion, since the Griffins first bought their neighbors adjacent property back in 2020-21. At that time, they were trying to convince the town into a “land swap” agreement with this same property including their Mansions for the “Corner part of the park”. I believe where the current entrance is located, closer to Catawba for something else. This plan was obviously denied by the Town, although that was a different board of five completely different town commissioners. I I sincerely hope these commissioners follow their commitment of Representative Government. Elections are around the corner!
Posted by Lee Fleming | May 7, 2025, 3:32 pmAs a resident of Nantz Rd, one of the top attracting factors to move here was the relaxed and low-key atmosphere that exists. I moved here knowing the entire road was zoned residential and was protected from development.
The Griffin family also built their homes knowing this was zoned residential. You can’t change the rules just because your lifestyle has changed. Do what everyone else has to do. Sell your home and move somewhere that allows the type of development you want.
The City Council needs to step in and protect the residents of Nantz Rd and across Cornelius. This would set a dangerous precedent for others to follow suite across the City.
Posted by Nantz Rd Family | May 7, 2025, 7:16 pm