Public Hearing Tonight on Cornelius Inn
By Dave Vieser – A public hearing on a proposed 40-room hotel to be built in the far southeastern corner of Cornelius will take place Monday, July 13, at Town Hall, beginning at 6 p.m. The Cornelius Planning Board will conduct the hearing, which comes on the heels of a recommendation for approval with conditions issued last week by the town’s planning staff.
Developer Jake Palillo seeks to amend the zoning on approximately 6.3 acres of vacant property near the intersection of N.C. 73 and Mayes Road so he can construct a 45,000-square-foot, 40-room hotel complex. The proposal also includes seven cottages and a 4,500-square-foot spa and clubhouse.
In a recommendation to be issued at the meeting, the town planning staff will recommend approval of the project with conditions.
In its explanation, the staff said: “We believe low-intensity commercial use, such as a residentially scaled small inn and spa, would be an appropriate use for this site due to its location at the intersection of N.C. 73 and Mayes Road and the changing character of the area. This use would also provide a good transition between the higher-intensity commercial uses in the vicinity and the existing residential homes on Mayes Road.”
A community meeting on the project was held April 7. Approximately 45 people attended, including eight Cornelius residents, four Huntersville residents and the remainder from Davidson. Concerns were raised about several issues, many involving traffic.
The Planning Board will also hear a request to rezone 0.51 acres at 9427 Westmoreland Rd. from Neighborhood Residential to Highway Commercial. Town staff will recommend approval of the request with the stipulation that the property be rezoned to Neighborhood Mixed Use instead of Highway Commercial, consistent with the current Land Use Plan.
Approval process
The Planning Board may recommend approval, approval with conditions or denial of the projects, and is not bound by the recommendations of town staff.
Regardless of the board’s decision, rezoning requests ultimately come before the Town Board for a separate public hearing and final decision.
The Planning Board hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at Town Hall on Catawba Avenue. Public comment will be accepted, and the meeting will be streamed on the town website.
