Town board delays vote on Downtown Master Plan
Nov. 18. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Town Board unanimously tabled a decision on adopting the 2050 Downtown Master Plan after more than two dozen speakers—mostly representing the downtown residential area—voiced concerns during a 90-minute public hearing.
Town officials tentatively rescheduled the decision for the Jan. 20 board meeting. Tonight’s meeting was chaired by Mayor Pro Tem Scott Higgins because outgoing Mayor Woody Washam was not in attendance.
Residents raised a wide range of issues. Many expressed concern about changes to traffic patterns that could affect their homes and property. Several opposed plans to extend Academy Street.
Other residents, including Kim Sherrill, was worried about relocating the police station out of downtown. “With a rail line coming to downtown, I’d like to see a police presence retained there too,” she said.
The public hearing followed a presentation by town staff and the consulting firm hired 18 months ago to develop the plan.
“This plan contemplates a bold new vision for Old Town Cornelius over the next 25 years,” said Town Planning Director Rox Burhans, noting that it was created with input from residents, local businesses and planning experts. Burhans cautioned, however, that creating the plan was the “easy part.”
“The challenging part will be implementing the various elements outlined in the document,” he said. “This is just the beginning.”
That uncertainty was behind most of the public feedback.
“We do appreciate your comments and concerns, and we have heard that more explanation is needed,” Higgins said.
Commissioner Todd Sansbury moved to delay a decision to ensure the plan’s details are made clearer to residents, and the full board approved, and urged residents to review the plan and provide feedback ahead of the tentative Jan. 20 vote.
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It seems to me that the Catawba avenue should be addressed immediately. Leave those neighborhoods alone. You are not addressing the current problem.
They just built a new building within 20 feet of catawba. Now widening the road is not possible. Really no forethought at all from Our politicians about the future. That’s a problem in my opinion. I refrain from saying they are just plain dumb
Between the arts and performance events and activities, the alcohol social district and the focus to maintain a pedestrian friendly downtown where citizens are able to gather and celebrate, i cannot support moving our current police department. If the current structure will not carry us into the future then build another satellite office across the interstate to accommodate our needs. I had dinner in NODA last Saturday night and plopped down in the middle of the shops, bars and restaurants was a very old firehouse. Pretty cool to see the firemen sitting on rockers across the front of their old station on the ready should they be needed. People go where they feel safe and if we want to have the downtown thrive a police presence has to be a large part of it. Just my humble opinion.