A couple of public meetings are on the schedule in Davidson this week. The Planning Board holds a special meeting Thursday, Nov. 4, that includes a review of  a developer’s request to amend plans for Davidson Commons East, off Griffith Street, to replace residential units with commercial space. Then on Friday morning, the town’s new interim downtown director will host her first monthly merchants’ meeting, with an agenda that includes Christmas in Davidson and town sign ordinance enforcement.

DAVIDSON COMMONS EAST

At Davidson Commons East, off Griffith Street near Community School of Davidson, developers Martin Kerr and Robert Tremblay have requested to change part of the project from residential to commercial use. The change would cover Parcel II of the 6.4-acre site on Davidson Gateway Drive, behind the Community School of Davidson and Harris Teeter.

Their request comes up the planning board Thursday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 216 S. Main St.

The master plan for the entire Davidson Commons project was first approved in 2004, and was revised in 2007. The original plan called for a series of residential units along the east side of Davidson Gateway Drive.

Because of the slump in the housing market and increasing demand for commercial space, the developers are requesting a new and “substantial” revision: eliminating all residential units, and adding two new buildings, both with up to 20,400 square feet of mixed-use space. The buildings would be two to three stories. The revised plan also calls for athletic fields at the east side of the site.

The project already has been reviewed at the Design Review Board. Read more about the request on our Real Estate & Home page, under the “Davidson Commons” tag.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the board will get an update from planning manager Lauren Blackburn about amendments to the board’s rules of procedure.

MERCHANTS’ MEETING

Davidson Town Hall’s monthly merchants’ meeting is scheduled Friday, Nov. 5, at 9 a.m., at Town Hall. Kim Fleming, who was appointed as interim downtown manager after the recent departure of Sandy Lemons, will host her first meeting. Here’s the agenda:

• Steve Fraher, parks & rec – Upcoming events and review of Halloween March
• MI-Connection Update – Alan Hall
• Christmas in Davidson Update
• Main Street Solutions Small Business Grants available
• Sign Ordinance Review and questions
• Parking Study update
• Merchant communication – map & newsletter