Cornelius Business Park property outlined in red
March 5. By Dave Vieser. Two former Cornelius town officials—former Mayor Jeff Tarte and Commissioner Denis Bilodeau—have staked out markedly different positions on the business center proposed for Bailey Road east of Hwy. 115.
In a letter to the Town Board Tarte said the project should be approved—and is critical of those who oppose it.
“When evaluating a project, elected officials should consider the interests of the entire community, rather than be influenced inordinately by a very small group of individuals with a NIMBY attitude, who influence their neighbors’ opinions without presenting all the facts,” Tarte wrote.
Tarte
Tarte was, but is no longer, a paid consultant on the $40 million project.
Bilodeau
Bilodeau has reservations about the project location. “Let’s be up-front with Greenberg Gibbons and stop draining time and resource for this misplaced development. Residents have offered up several reasonable land use alternative options. Let’s make student/resident safety a top priority and help a frustrated landowner move forward with retirement plans,” he wrote in his open letter.
Over 60 residents, most from Bailey Glen, attended a town board meeting on Monday March 3. Many expressed their unhappiness with the proposal. The town will be conducting full public hearings before both the Planning Board and Town Board at future dates and times to be announced.
The problem with the Town having approved in the past rather dense residential development in outlying areas is that the Town then creates a natural base of opposition to business development. Business development is what fuels local jobs and allows workers to avoid long commutes to make a living. Business development also is a positive to the local tax base whereas most housing worth less than $500k is a drain. I am also always amazed that the most vocal opponents are people who moved here like three years ago.
Posted by Cliff Homesley | March 5, 2025, 9:28 amWe are not opposed to business development, but to this specific industrial park proposed for East Bailey Road, due to its significant negative impacts on our community. Residents and community members, including school and park users, are deeply concerned about the projected 907 daily vehicle trips, including 79 truck trips, which will create significant traffic congestion and safety hazards on Bailey Road. This type of industrial development is incompatible with our established residential, educational and recreational areas. While we are not ‘anti-business,’ we depend on the free flow of traffic on East Bailey Road. A comprehensive transportation plan is essential for this proposed industrial park. We urge the Town to prioritize the safety and well-being of our community by rejecting this rezoning proposal.
Posted by Paul Herbert | March 6, 2025, 2:03 pmDevelopers are only interested in one, maybe two things – how much money they will see and saying anything and everything to get their plans approved.
WELL SAID previous two commenters, well said.
An industrial park??? How is this good for MY quality of life in Cornelius???
ANSWER – it’s NOT!
The only time I will see it is when I pass it on the way to drop my daughter at Hough High, and picking her up from Hough High. I will NEVER use it, and it won’t ever contribute to my life, except in dealing with the extra traffic it will generate. NO THANKS!
I look forward to seeing this project rejected. Not out of spite, out of common sense.
Posted by JW | March 6, 2025, 6:21 pm