May 22. By Dave Vieser. The required public hearing on the Cornelius Business Park project will be held on Monday June 2, beginning at 6 pm, in Town Hall on Catawba Avenue. Developer Drew Thigpen of Greenberg Gibbons seeks town board approval to build a four-building complex on the north side of Bailey Road just east of Highway 115.

The proposal had met some opposition previously, particularly over traffic issues, but at the May 7 planning board hearing, a recommendation for approval was passed by a 7-1 margin. Opposition on the project had centered around traffic issues regarding Bailey Road, and Thigpen agreed with nearby Bailey’s Glen residents about traffic congestion, claiming that his project would actually help solve them.

Quotable

Bailey runs across the bottom of the site plan

“It delivers much-needed transportation infrastructure relief to Bailey Road, and it provides premier space for local businesses in Cornelius,” Thigpen said, alluding to the potential for 150-plus new jobs.

A relatively small number of opponents attended the May 7 Planning Board meeting, and it remains to be seen if opponents will be able to marshal their forces for the June 2 meeting.

Background

Bailey Road is a challenge when Bailey Middle and Hough High students are arriving and departing; a number of new residential neighborhoods, including Bailey’s Glen, are farther east, as well as access to River Run in Davidson and a new Publix shopping center on Highway 73.

Thigpen’s four-building plan includes a new left-hand turn lane from Bailey Road heading west to Highway 115 south, where the back-ups are routinely dozens of cars deep.

At the June 2 meeting, the commissioners can approve or deny the rezoning..or they can reserve decision for a future meeting.