New statistics show what is painfully obvious at this point: The local housing market is in the dumps. We take a look at the latest Charlotte-area home sales and home price figures, and also at year-end building permit numbers, which were down sharply in Davidson this year. Also in this column:

• Commissioner Jenest voted one of region’s most business friendly officials.
• PostNet will recycle your packing peanuts after Christmas.
• Christmas in Davidson draws more visitors than expected.
• The Fish Guy changes tactics for winter.
• News about the Bradford Store, Davidson Village Inn, Homewood Suites, South Main Square and Lake Norman Currents magazine
• Area hospitals called nurse-friendly.

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An old motel is demolished on the site of the planned Augustalee mixed-use development Monday. (Cornelius Bromont LLC photo)By DAVID BORAKS

DavidsonNews.net

Developers of the proposed half-billion dollar Augustalee mixed-use development off Highway 21 in Cornelius have begun clearing the site, even as key elements of their development plan await government approvals. Over the past few days, construction firm Whiting-Turner and volunteer firefighters with Cornelius-Lemley Fire and Rescue burned and demolished an old motel on the site, which had long been a safety hazard. Read the full story

Developers of the Langtree at the Lake development just north of Davidson (at the planned Exit 31) are still trying to persuade Iredell County officials to create a special tax district to help pay for roads and other improvements near the $880 million project. The Statesville Record & Landmark reports that Iredell County commissioners do not support the developers’ request for the financing arrangement. The special district would allow the developers to use public bonds to pay for the infrastructure. See Dec. 14, 2008, Statesville Record & Landmark, via MooresvilleTribune.com, “Langtree’s answers haven’t satisfied board.”

Mayor John Woods (right) talks to fellow board members about the proposed Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission. (David Boraks photo)

Davidson’s Town Board on Tuesday approved a four-town agreement that would establish a new regional commission to lobby for and work on transportation improvements in north Mecklenburg and south Iredell. Huntersville and Cornelius also have approved the agreement, while a vote is scheduled in January in Mooresville.

The board also approved revisions to the town’s affordable housing ordinance, held a public hearing on a revised sign ordinance, and named Lingle Hut on Watson Street as a landmark (see separate story, “Board designates Lingle Hut as a historic landmark”). Commissioners and Town Manager Leamon Brice also discussed budget cuts that would help the town cope with a possible shortfall in taxes and fees because of the economic downturn. Read the full story

A scene from a past Christmas in Davidson (Bill Giduz photo)

As many as 20,000 people are expected in town over the next three nights at Christmas in Davidson 2008. The festival opens with a ceremony on the Village Green on Main Street tonight (Thursday) at 6 p.m. and organizers at Downtown Davidson Inc. have lined up a lively schedule of entertainment from 6-9 p.m. (See schedule below.) The fun continues Friday and Saturday nights, also from 6-9.

A few highlights you won’t want to miss: Santa arrives by fire engine tonight at 6:30 and then will be in the Davidson Public Library community room nightly. As always, Read the full story

The Davidson Board of Adjustment will meet Wednesday, Dec. 10, to hear a pair of appeals from the developer of the Summer’s Walk subdivision off Davidson-Concord Road over the fees it has been assessed under the town’s adequate public facilities ordinance. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 216 South Main St. Read the full story

Dave Martin

Dave Martin has been elected president of the Davidson Lands Conservancy for the next two years, and he says he hopes to continued the organization’s efforts to preserving the area’s natural assets, even as it faces the economic downturn. Dr. Martin, a Davidson College economics professor and former Town Board member, replaces Sterling Martin, who has led the organization for two years.

Also elected at the conservancy’s Nov. 17 annual meeting were: Vice President Pam Dykstra, Secretary Lacy Dick, and Treasurer Brenda Pressley. Danielle Knox and Ross Meentemeyer were elected to the board of directors. More about the meeting and Dr. Martin’s new role … Read the full story

Mooresville planner Tim Brown talks about plans for a 650-unit residential development on the Mooresville side of Lake Davidson. (David Boraks photo)

How should planners and town officials calculate potential environmental and public safety effects of future developments on Lake Davidson? Mooresville and Davidson officials on the Lake Davidson Commission were asking themselves that question Tuesday as they learned about a proposed residential development called Lake Davidson Village that someday could add up to 650 homes on the north side of the small lake. Read the full story