Residents turn out to oppose Palillo project
Dec. 8. By Dave Vieser. Monday night’s public hearing on a proposal by developer Jake Palillo to build 252 apartments plus commercial buildings on West Catawba Avenue near Junker Drive attracted over 50 residents, with all those who spoke opposing the project. The proposal had previously generated strong opposition from local residents during a virtual community meeting conducted in November.
This time, residents gathered in the adjacent community room to monitor the meeting, and speakers entered the official town meeting room one by one to testify.
Deputy Town Manager Wayne Herron opened the meeting by outlining the review procedure for the project, while also revealing that the adjacent community, Lake Norman Cove at Jetton, may opt to become a gated community. “They maintain their own roads so they have the right to do so,” Herron said.
However, such a move would limit all ingress and egress for the development onto West Catawba Avenue. This could further complicate the project’s TIA (Traffic Impact Analysis).
‘Looks like a junkyard’
Palillo launched into his view of the proposal.
“This part of Cornelius looks like a junk yard and really needs some work. Our research shows that there’s a market for apartments such as these, which would rent out for between $1,600 and $2,000 a month,” he said.
Palillo also expects to attract pub/restaurants and possibly medical offices into the commercial segment of his development. He said retail was dead.
He went on to express disappointment with the level of opposition already expressed by some residents towards his proposal, calling them “crazy facebook fans.”
Residents opposed
When it came time for the residents to speak, they didn’t hold back either.
“We’re not against expansion, but let’s do it in a smart way,” said Colin Johnson.
Robin Blair unsuccessfully urged the Town Board to table the meeting due to the pandemic conditions and regulations.
Also speaking out against the project was former Commissioner Kurt Naas. “The board, through its conditional zoning process, can require numerous conditions for the developer. Frankly, this is the wrong time and the wrong type of project for this town.”
After the 10 live speakers, Town Clerk Lori Harrell read aloud 20 minutes of emails from residents, all in opposition. In addition, a petition opposing Palillo’s plan—containing 333 signatures—was submitted to the town board.
Next steps
This was the first public hearing for this project and the commissioners listened to the testimony without making any comment. A second Town Board hearing will be held later as well as a hearing before the towns Planning Board. The project will also be reviewed by the Architectural Review Board. Only after all these steps are completed will a decision on the requested rezoning be made.
Mayor Woody Washam told the residents that it would probably take at least 3-4 months for this process to play out and that they would have the opportunity to be heard again if they wish.
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It is truly time for the powers that be take the words of the people that live here into consideration. There is no more room on Catawba for more traffic. It is a major mess as it is and to add to it would be a disaster. I personally am not on Facebook and the people that oppose this construction are not crazy they just don’t want the value of their lives and their homes to go down the tubes because they are constantly stuck in traffic. If this contractor wants to widen Catawba prior to building his ivory tower then perhaps it would make sense.
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Calling them “crazy Facebook fans” while providing ZERO supporters for the project shows how out of touch and the bullying tactics of this developer.
I am new to the Denver area but have driven over to that side of the lake. W. Catawba, Highway 73, Business 16, Highway 150…all around Lake Norman the roads need to get expanded because traffic is always backed up or at a crawl.
When we agreed to build our house in Denver, our homebuilder told us there was a moratorium on approving more developments and that only like two or three were building right now. Either they were wrong or something changed in last 9 months because I see them popping up everywhere I go, while schools/roads remain the same, and wondering how bad it’s going to be 10 years down the line if they continue with a rubber stamp “build first, worry about infrastructure second” approach. I’ve seen this happen where I lived before and it’s not good!
The developer,Jake Palillo, is notorious for his nasty, unprofessional and divisive style of communications. In my opinion, he isn’t worthy of contributing to anything in our area as he has previously only contributed vicious comments, hatred and divisiveness. It started years ago when he consistently verbally attacked and lied about Mayor Jill Swain during her bid for reelection in Huntersville. Check the Facebook comments he has made over and over again, attacking anyone who disagrees with him.
I just got my Cornelius Today paper. I read this article about the development. I , having lived in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Charleston SC know how this is playing out around Cornelius, and the Lake Norman area. Thing is people who LIVE in Cornelius and LKN are here for mostly the same reason.Lifestyle..They are into boating, tennis, golf, dinner with friends etc. This developer clearly ain`t by his own statement. Why would any council member vote to allow for one persons self interest?
The areas I lived in ALL attempted similar multi family apartment type projects. Seemed like a good idea at first,steady tax base, but after a few years and economic hiccups the type of resident , well lets just say is was not the high-end of the rental spectrum. The unit owners became desperate to occupy these units at ANY price and well before we knew it this grand plan became a disaster! And did someone say (junkyard)? Should have seen the quality of cars parked around these places!! On down the line big money came to the rescue, bought the really ragged out rental buildings and turned them into exclusive vacation rentals and short term seasonal rentals. People seem to be willing to pay a bit more for this type of experience and plus the town has a constant stream of new money supporting local restaurants, venues and retail over the long term.Town Council even got a local options sales tax passed. I have seen this play out in every area I have lived . Too much of this rental based multi family will , most likely become Cornelius’ own nemesis as well no matter how wide the roads are!
This man took advantage of my father, who is elderly and has diminished capacity, to purchase his property below value so he could expand his “development” My father now has lost his home off 40 years now and this guy is just going to get richer. If this is who want developing your communities, I’m sure he’s someone who will do so with little regard to who it impacts besides his own wallet.
Where did your father live?