The Lake Norman Transportation Commission voted unanimously Wednesday night to endorse I-77 widening and other road improvements associated with the proposed half-billion-dollar Augustalee mixed-use development in Cornelius.
In a 2 1/2 hour meeting at Mooresville town hall, the commission also agreed in principle on a compensation package that will keep executive director Carroll Gray for another 12 months.
The commission, which includes representatives from Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and Mooresville, voted 7-0 in favor of a resolution that backs – with a few reservations – the roughly $90 million in projects proposed by Augustalee developer Cornelius Bromont LLC.
Among other things, the resolution endorses the idea of widening I-77 to 3 lanes in both directions from Exits 23 to 28. It also “encourages the N.C. Department of Transportation to consider also widening the road to three lanes all the way to Exit 30 in Davidson at the same time.
It says high-occupancy vehicle lanes are the “preferred option” for additional lanes on I-77. And it seconds the requirement by Cornelius that no certificate of occupancy may be issued for Augustalee until the roadwork is finished.
Davidson officials also have said that although they endorse the roadwork, they do not necessarily concur with the financing method the developer has proposed.
Mr. Gray said Wednesday’s vote does not indicate a unanimous endorsement of all aspects of the Augustalee development. “We’re not saying this is a great project. We’re saying we think these road improvements will be good for this region and for the economy.”
BIG PROJECT
The developers are proposing a massive project of shops, offices, high-rise condos and hotels on about 108 acres at Statesville Road (Hwy. 21) and Westmoreland Road, next to I-77 in Cornelius. The project was approved last year by Cornelius, but the list of road improvements and a complex funding mechanism to pay for them still need various approvals. The developers have said they hope to complete the roadwork and open the first retail stores and luxury condos in 2012.
The resolution also endorsed the conditions and amendments to the work that were approved by the Mecklenburg Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO) on April 29.
Approval by the commission follows a round of discussions with elected officials at the four towns on the commission. Three of the town boards – Davidson, Mooresville and Cornelius – took votes endorsing the Augustalee road improvements. The fourth, Huntersville, did not take a vote, though Commissioner and commission member Ken Lucas said his board gave him the go ahead to “vote his conscience.”
Although only three of the four towns formally supported it, Mr. Lucas’s yes vote Thursday means “From the LNTC’s position, we got a unanimous vote in favor,” Mr. Gray, the executive director, said Friday.
The transportation commission Thursday discussed Huntersville’s non-vote and decided to push for a change in the four-town agreement governing its operations that would make it easier for commission members to vote independently of the town boards. “Implicit in the interlocal (agreement) is a desire for this group to prove itself and become more independent,” Mr. Gray said.
I-77 WIDENING, NEW EXIT
Augustalee’s developer has offered to pay up front for the widening of I-77, a new highway exit and other work. Here’s the list:
- Widen I-77 from I-485 north to Exit 28 in Cornelius.
- Construct a new interchange, Exit 27, at Westmoreland Road.
- Create a new road (Jim Cooke Road) stretching from east of Statesville Road at the Bailey Road curve westward across Statesville Road and I-77.
- Building a new segment of Northcross Drive from Jim Cooke Road to Westmoreland Road.
- Widening Statesville Road (U.S. 21) near the Augustalee project.
- Widening Westmoreland Road.
- Realigning Bailey Road at Poole Road
The developer would obtain private financing, but is asking to be reimbursed by the town and the county primarily through a portion of the increased tax revenues the project generates. (It’s a modified form of what’s called tax increment financing.)
DIRECTOR RETAINED
On Wednesday, the four-town commission heard a plea from Charlotte City Council member Nancy Carter for support in her efforts to have Independence Boulevard designated as a rail corridor, rather than reserve it for bus rapid transit.
The commission also reviewed accomplishments and groundwork completed in its first half-year of operation. And members reached an agreement in principle with Mr. Gray that will keep the Cornelius resident and former Charlotte Chamber chief on board as executive director for another year.
Andrew Grant, assistant town manager in Cornelius and a transportation commission member, said the group agreed to pay Mr. Gray a base salary of $65,000 over the 12 months beginning July 1. He also would be eligible for bonuses of up to $15,000 total during the year.
DOCUMENTS
Download the 2-page resolution approved by the LNTC, (in PDF format), CLICK HERE>
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Find previous coverage of Augustalee and road improvements on the tag “Augustalee.”
