DavidsonNews.net

Planning Director Kris Krider’s monthly planning report is out, chock full of updates on many of the development and planning projects underway in Davidson.

News in the report includes:

• An item suggesting that Davidson might amend its interlocal agreement with Cornelius to allow South Street to open into the Antiquity Cornelius development. This news comes although no progress appears to have been made on the required entrance at the southern end of the project. (See Village Infill Planning Area section of the report below). Town Manager Leamon Brice says the town is concerned about the lack of progress on the Cornelius side. (Details on our SouthandWalnut page.)
• News about the roundabouts on Griffith Street and other developments in the construction projects at Exit 30.
• Word that complaints have subsided about construction traffic into the Walnut Grove development, off Walnut Street.
• New development proposals for a hotel at Exit 30, a tear-down and six-unit development on Delburg Street, and a new subdivision near Mayes Road next to the Woodlands.
• A report on the Town Board’s adoption of interim house size and setback rules for the Village Infill area. (See our Dec. 4 news item, “Revised Village Infill design rules published,” for more information.)

Text of the Planning Director’s report follows:

Town of Davidson Planning Director’s Report

December 12, 2006

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
** Indicates new developer project
LAKESHORE PLANNING AREA
**Sheraton Davidson Hotel and Convention Center (Desai): Owner’s Ron and Jatin Desai are proposing a 155 room full service Sheraton hotel with 20,000 sf of meeting space. The site is located in the Southeast Quadrant adjacent to Davidson Gateway Drive. A community charrette will be held in Davidson Town Hall on Wednesday, December 20th from 2 pm with a pin-up at 7 pm that evening. The plan is being considered under site plan review as no new streets or subdivision of land is planned. Architectural design will be approved through the Design Review Board.

The Pinnacle at Peninsula Drive (Kennerly): Ron and Chris Kennerly are proposing a multi-story condominium and commercial development at the end of Peninsula Drive in the Southeast Quadrant. Staff met with the new site designer Desiree McSorely of Design Resource Group in early December to discuss outstanding site issues. Revised site plan being developed for staff review and comment.

Harbour Place (Childress Klein):
Homewood Suites Hotel by Hilton: No activity.
Harbour Place Commercial: No activity.
Office Building One: No activity
www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1324

Davidson Day School (Acclaim Academy): Under construction

Davidson Commons (Edens and Avant): Major infrastructure in place, including a 30 inch storm drain across Griffith Street that halted work on the roundabouts for approximately two weeks. Steel framing for three commercial buildings now underway. Brick veneer now being added to Building C. Site for Harris Teeter to be ready for construction by December 15th. www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1319

Jetton Corridor Development Group: Street lighting plan is complete. Duke Energy is now working through final design. Developers will pay for approximately 80% of the $500,000 cost for 150 new poles and fixtures. www.ci.davidson.nc.us/units/planning/griffith/

Littlegate Parcels N and O (JCB Urban): Under construction. No activity on Parcel B www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1321

Rusher Oil Gas Station (RushCo): Site plan has been submitted to staff and Mecklenburg County for first review. Redline comments have been returned to site engineer. Building must be re-submitted to the Design Review Board for approval.

The Park at Davidson Townhomes (Landmark Llewellyn): Site and building construction for 52 townhomes is near completion on exterior portions. First units are scheduled for occupancy in early 2007.
www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1325

Davidson Bay PH1 Development (Ryan Homes): Town homes under construction. The first two buildings are complete.

**Davidson Bay PH2 Development (Liburdi and Enderby):
The subject site is approximately 30 acres and is located along the north side of Armour St. west of Beaty St. facing onto Lake Davidson. A design Charrette was held on August 30th & 31st 2006, and input from the citizens and the Town staff resulted in a site plan which included single and multi-family residential units, office and retail, senior housing, artists’ lofts/warehouse, a soccer field, a private clubhouse and publicly accessible pathway along the entire shoreline. The proposed project was presented to the Town Board on October 24, 2006, and to the Planning Board on November 27, 2006.

Issues discussed at the Planning Board on November 27, 2006:

1. Traffic calming devices may need to be provided at the intersection of Beaty and Armour streets.
2. Single-family lots facing Lake Davidson should have their property lines end at the proposed pedestrian walkway.
3. Mixed-uses shown on the plan need to be defined.
4. Senior Housing proposed to the east of the soccer field needs clarifications on its phasing, age restrictions for the residents, number of units/square footage and possible pricing. The developer must provide detailed information about the required affordable housing units proposed within the Senior Housing component.
5. The Planning Board expressed additional concerns about the circle at the west end of Armour Street. Developer plans to provide revisions at the 12/12/06 meeting. (see tonight’s Work Session presentation)

Next step in the process:
January 29, 2007: Planning Board Recommendation to the Town Board
February 13, 2007: Town Board Final Vote
http://www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=924

COLLEGE PLANNING AREA

Duke Dormitory: Under construction.

VILLAGE INFILL PLANNING AREA
Spring at Walnut: John Marshall Custom Homes, Inc – Developer Rodney Graham received master plan approval from the Town Board on November 14, 2006 to subdivide the 2 acre property into eight or nine lots for single family homes.
Pott’s Cottages: No significant activity.

Walnut Grove (JD North Construction): Site construction underway. Neighborhood residents have expressed complaints about dust and truck activity. Developer and site contractor have been notified on several occasions and complaints have subsided at present. Staff will continue to assist neighbors to ensure construction activity does not negatively disrupt neighborhood any more than necessary. www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1046

Spring Street Infill (Royal Building Co.): The extension of Goodrum Street across South Street has begun with clearing and initial grading. Low impact roadway has been designed to avoid two large trees in the existing Right of Way. Davidson Fire Department used existing house on Spring Street for controlled burn exercise on December 9 prior to demolition. www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=919

Hoke Property (Keener and Jenest): No site activity until utilities are extended.

Village of South Main (Corinthian Development): Initial site clearing and grading complete. Recently completed underground storm water detention system was modified to protect existing trees along southern property line adjoining Jackson. www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1332

307 Armour Street: No site activity. Building design approved for interior lot. Corner lot to be subdivided into two single-family lots.

**323 Delburg Street
A design workshop was held on Oct 16th & 18th regarding this 0.29-acre property. The developer planned to demolish the existing mil house on this site and construct a two-story six-unit townhome. At the end of this workshop the developer’s architect incorporated the inputs/comments from the citizens and the Town staff in developing a site plan. The proposed site plan presented at the pin-up session included only two detached single-family homes. The proposal showed rebuilding the existing one-story mil house with an addition to the rear and a two-story single-family home on the rear yard of the property.

A follow up meeting was held on November 27th and on the same evening the Planning Board received a presentation by staff and the applicant. However, staff was recently advised that the applicant has chosen to hold off on this process until further notice.

NC 73 PLANNING AREA

Davidson East (Frank Jacobus): William Brewster Company, Inc. (Frank Jacobus) is anticipating a final approval by the Town Board on a Master Plan proposed for 172-acre property along the north side of NC 73, between Ramah Church Road and east of McAuley Road. The proposed mixed-use development includes 478 residential units and 217,680 square feet of office/retail. (See tonight’s presentation)

• Outstanding issues:
• School Site - The Developer is currently trying to come to an agreement with the Mecklenburg County School Board representatives in setting aside appropriate land feasible for an elementary school within the development.
• Community Park - A Community Park is required to be provided with the development per APFO requirements, once accepted to meet guidelines set forth in the Davidson Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The Community Park shall either be constructed or bonded prior to Final Plat being recorded for any dwelling units, regardless of phase. The developer plans to seek a payment in-lieu option, should other options fail and should the Board approve this option request. www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1350

RURAL PLANNING AREA

Davidson Wood (Artisan/Knox): The site is complete, Final Plat recorded on the first 30 lots. APFO payments made. Building permits for the first two houses have been submitted and approved by staff. www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=769

Bailey Springs (Provident Homes): Under construction. See Manager’s Report for update on road connection. www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1307

Summer’s Walk (Forest City): Final Plat approved and APFO payments completed for first 100 market rate lots and 30 affordable housing lots. Developer met with Town Board at the November Work Session to discuss possibility of the town taking ownership of swimming pool and clubhouse facility. Developer hopes to satisfy Community Park requirement through negotiation.
www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1331

River Run Phase V (River Run Ltd Partnership): Staff is working with developer to add additional building lot in return for a 100’ easement for future Rocky River Greenway. Revised preliminary plat submittal expected by late December.
www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1328

Robbins/Mayes Road/Davidson Woods (John Robbins): Developer has submitted affordable housing plan for Board approval. (See tonight’s Consent Agenda). www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1161

Abersham (Frank Jacobus) Developer has signed letter of intent with the Davidson Lands Conservancy to establish a Conservation Easement on the open space. This is the first CE for DLC. Town Board must approve final terms. Preliminary plat approval anticipated within the next 30 days. www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1308

Montgomery/Moore Low Impact (Tom Montgomery): No activity
Low Impact Subdivision off of June Washam Road (Dewey McConnell Property, Presented by Tim Wahl) – – No activity
**Low Impact Subdivision near Mayes Road (adjacent to the Woodlands at Davidson): The owner, John Robbins, and his design team, the Lawrence Group, held a workshop for a low impact subdivision on the site on November 16. The design team and owner proposed creating five new lots on the property and protecting the heavily wooded portion. Preliminary subdivision plans will be presented to the Town Board in February or March of 2007.

PLANNING PROJECTS
** Indicates new in-house planning priority

Village Infill Overlay Districts– The Town Board adopted an interim ordinance for the Village Infill Planning Area to address house size and setbacks on October 17, 2006. The Board instructed staff to draft an ordinance(s) for more specific sub areas of the Village Infill Planning Area as soon as possible. Staff is working on a draft including several proposed overlay districts covering parts of the Village Infill, addressing floor to area ratios and setbacks on a more neighborhood level. The ordinance should be ready for a public hearing in February 2007.

Historic District – Consultants Mattson Alexander have completed draft summary reports of the architectural and general histories of the portion of Davidson being nominated as a National Register Historic District. They will continue to work on the survey files which describe each property within the proposed boundary over the next two months. We hope to have a complete draft application for residents and state preservation officials to review early Spring 2007.
Prosperity Church Road Extension Study– The City of Huntersville passed along recommended alignment for the Prosperity Church Road extension from their Planning Board to their Town Board in October 2006. Davidson staff, elected officials, and residents suggested changes to the recommended alignment, calling for a series of two lane roads terminating near Davidson Concord/Sam Furr/NC 73, NC 73/Ramah Church Road and NC 73/Shiloh Church Road. Huntersville Town Board members asked their transportation planning staff to reassess an alignment alternative along MacAuley Road. Huntersville transportation planning staff will present their staff analysis of these alternatives at a future Huntersville Board meeting, possibly in mid December.
Potts – Sloan – Beaty Corridor Study: Urban design consultants Kinzleman, Kline and Gossman (KKG) held a public planning workshop for the proposed Potts – Sloan – Beaty corridor on October 19, 2006 at Town Hall. Stakeholders and residents were asked to identify the key planning issues along the corridor. KKG and transportation planning firm Parsons Brinkerhoff are collecting data on traffic volumes and circulation needs for the corridor. The team will begin working on draft land use and road design plans over the next couple months and hope to return to Davidson for a follow-up workshop in March 2007.
**Post Construction Stormwater Ordinance – Mecklenburg County Division of Water Quality Program Manager Rusty Rozzelle and Davidson Town Planner Lauren Blackburn updated the Town Board and answered questions regarding the proposed Phase II Post Construction Stormwater Ordinance at their November 14 regular meeting. A public hearing was also held for the proposed ordinance changes. Town staff is working with the County to revise the ordinance and expects to present a final draft for the Board’s approval by February 2007.
Transit Station Area: The Metropolitan Transit Commission voted in November to go forward with the North Corridor Commuter Rail Line project, aiming for completion by 2012. Funding for the project has not been finalized. Staff and mayors from north corridor towns are meeting December 14th to discuss funding strategies and work program for the next 6 months.
MPO/TCC – The draft 2007-2013 North Carolina DOT Transportation Improvement Program has been published to the NCDOT website. See http://www.ncdot.org/planning/development/TIP/TIP/Trans/pdf/div10.pdf for specific plans for Mecklenburg County. No projects are planned within the Town of Davidson over the next seven years, aside from plans to widen I-77 from NC 73 to I-40. The draft is subject to local planning organization scrutiny and comment before finalized.
Griffith Street Roundabouts: After numerous delays for utility line burial and stormwater upgrades, work on the Jetton roundabout has resumed. Blythe Development anticipates substantial completion by mid -January barring bad weather. Final asphalt overlay and striping to be completed as weather permits in February.
www.ci.davidson.nc.us/units/planning/griffith/
PATRICK JOHNSTON CONNECTION: Coordination with landscaping near the Taylor lot and integrating the Southeast Greenway are continuing.

BAILEY ROAD CONNECTION: Road construction is complete, final inspection for the extension of Robert Walker Drive is pending.

SOUTH STREET CONNECTION: No activity in Davidson. Work on covered bridge continues in Cornelius, no estimate for completion. Two houses are now under construction. Original agreement with Town of Cornelius for Catawba Street extension expires at the end of December. Developer has made good faith effort with permitting agencies NCDOT and Norfolk Southern railroad with little success. Davidson and Cornelius will need to amend agreement in order for connection to South Street to open.

TRAFFIC CALMING: No activity.

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD SUBMITTALS

On September 13, 2006, the DRB approved (with conditions) the following project:
Harbour Place Townhomes
Located along the west side of Jetton St. north of Griffith Street consisted of 15-unit two-story townhomes including 5 affordable units.

On October 11, 2006, the Design Review Board approved the following projects:
307 Armour Street (David Sorenson) A two-story, four-unit, residential development (Approved with conditions)

Summers Walk Townhomes
A 60-unit townhome along NC 73 near Cabarrus County line to be built by Meeting Street Homes. (Approved with conditions)

Two wall signs within the Historic District for:
Classic Bride located at 106-A South Main Street
PaperLily located at 106-B South Main Street

On November 20, 2006, the DRB approved (with conditions) the following project:
South Main Square
Retail & Town-homes: a three-story structure including retail units on the first floor accessed from the east side of the building and 24 residential townhomes accessed from the west side.

END

Filed under: Davidson general news, Links, Planning & Development, Village infill rules changes