Cashmere mixed-use, six-story building rendering

July 22. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Town Board on Monday night delayed a rezoning decision on the Cashmere mixed-use, six-story building proposed for Jetton Road Extension, moving the required public hearing to the Monday, August 4 board meeting.

Mayor Woody Washam and the five board commissioners urged citizens to make their feelings known about the proposal during the next two weeks after hearing from 12 speakers at the July 21 meeting, the majority of whom supported the project.

Previously, the Cornelius Planning Board had approved rezoning for the project, but only if the structure is no more than three stories high. The applicant had sought approval for a six-story complex.

“This project is consistent with the proposed uses listed in the adopted Land Use Plan for Catawba Mixed Use but is not consistent with the density and height characteristics,” said Assistant Planning Director David Cole. “Reducing the proposed building height to three stories would also better respect the neighborhood context. The base Village Center Zoning District, and the Cornelius Village Center master plan from 1999, caps all buildings at three stories, and all existing structures in the vicinity respect this height requirement, with the exception of the entitled (but not yet constructed) 19615 Bethel Church Rd., approved for four stories through a standalone Conditional District.”

Cole also noted that there are a significant number of entitled, unconstructed lots that would be capped at three stories should they ever be constructed.

The applicants, Adam and Iryna Jones of Cornelius, filed the required rezoning paperwork in February, asking to change the zoning from Village Center to Conditional. According to county tax records, the property is owned by the Zaika Group of Cornelius, of which Adam Jones is listed as the principal owner.

“Our vision for this project aligns with the Town of Cornelius’ planning objectives by creating a pedestrian-friendly, architecturally refined, and economically vibrant development that enhances the surrounding area,” said Adam Jones. “We believe this project will serve as a landmark development, contributing to the long-term vision of Cornelius as a dynamic and thriving community.”

However, at the conclusion of his remarks, Jones again took issue with the Planning Board’s height recommendation. “To be blunt, if the town limits the project to three stories, it will kill the project,” he said.

The property has an estimated appraised value of $224,000. It is vacant except for a seldom-used parking lot that occupies a portion of the site and is located just to the south of the UPS Customer Service Building, as well as the Dynamic Dance Studio.

The August 4 meeting will be held in Town Hall on Catawba Avenue, beginning at 6 p.m. It will also be live-streamed on the town website: www.cornelius.org.