urban planning
Cornelius will choose firm that will do Downtown Master Plan
March 19. By Dave Vieser. The choice of who should craft a Downtown Master Plan is down to two firms: Kimley Horne and Bolton & Menk. Both firms have extensive experience in the region. Seven different consultants, all from the metro Charlotte area, had originally responded to a request for proposals (RFP) on the development […]
Conditional zoning procedural changes will streamline the process
HOW OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS | By Dave Vieser Dec. 18. The newly adopted streamlined conditional zoning process should provide applicants, residents and board members with vital information sooner than previously required. The changes were unanimously adopted at the Town Board’s Nov. 20 meeting. Conditional zoning is a process whereby a municipality allows a change in […]
There’s lots of developable property available in Cornelius
Sept. 20. By Dave Vieser. Cornelius Today reported exclusively back in June that construction on more than two dozen previously approved projects in the town has never begun. The projects were expected to generate more traffic, not to mention tax revenue. While these projects remain on the back burner, there are plenty more tracts of […]
Planning Board approves Mills Market
Aug. 15. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Planning Board unanimously approved Mills Market, a 250,000-square-foot mixed-use project planned for downtown Cornelius. The approval last night comes with conditions, most of which are standard rezoning issues. The project is on a prime parcel: 2.3 acres on the south side of Catawba Avenue, just east of Meridian, […]
After more than 100 years, Smithville’s time has come
RENEWAL | By Erica Batten July 19. In the year since the Town of Cornelius approved the small-area plan proposed by the Smithville Community Coalition, the nonprofit has been steadily moving forward with its revitalization and affordable housing efforts for the historically African American community in the heart of Cornelius. A tour of the area, […]
Planning Board, Town Board OK revisions to Alexander Farm plan
May 17. By Dave Yochum. A request by Alexander Farms to increase a previously approved rezoning plan for 130 independent senior living units to 143 was unanimously approved by the Cornelius Town Board at last night’s meeting. Earlier in the day, the Planning Board had also approved the plan which includes relocating and preserving the […]
Building boom. Or bust? Major projects face obstacles
April 22. By Dave Vieser. During 2021, the Cornelius Town Board approved rezoning for 1,442 residential units. While growth in Cornelius is inevitable, the numbers are still astonishing. Politically, the volume of residential units approved turned out to be problematic. Indeed, four of the five Town Board incumbents were not reelected; development was a major […]
Alexander Farm project: First you Z it…then you don’t
April 13. By Dave Vieser. For those who recently saw the public hearing “Z” signs posted on the Alexander Farm development site—only to be removed a few days later—here’s the scoop. The signs were posted last month when Florida-based WIN Development appealed a decision by the town which wouldn’t permit them to build more senior […]
Smithville revitalization plan gets nod from Planning Board
March 15. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Planning Board has unanimously endorsed the Smithville Revitalization Plan. The approval at Monday’s meeting followed a detailed overview of the plan provided by Willie Jones of the Smithville Community Coalition which calls for workforce housing, rehabilitation of existing properties and subdividing some properties in the historically Black community […]
No place for home: Historic tenant house has no place to go
March 14. By Dave Yochum. It turns out there’s a glitch in the efforts to save the tenant house on the Alexander Farm at the corner of Westmoreland and West Catawba. The town may have identified a permanent site, but it won’t be ready any time soon. Meanwhile, an April 12 demolition deadline is looming. […]
