Workers from Bucks Turnkey Demolition tore down a home at 403 Walnut St. Wednesday. (David Boraks photo)

Workers demolished a 1,600-square foot home on Walnut Street Wednesday, apparently to make way for construction of a new home. Read the full story

In the news today, a report that state officials have declared 85 of the state’s 100 counties a disaster area because of the drought. Last month, Mecklenburg County began enforcing mandatory water-use restrictions.

Meanwhile, officials in Raleigh are studying the trend of tear-downs. A city study found 588 tear-downs in the past 5 years, where existing homes were demolished to make way for bigger homes. Nearly half the new homes were 4,000 feet or more, according to the News & Observer of Raleigh.

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The Town Board Tuesday approved amendments to the town planning ordinance that tighten restrictions on the size and height of new construction and renovations on existing homes in the traditional center of town.

The changes stipulate what developers can do if they tear down and replace or substantially renovate existing homes in the Village Infill Planning Area. The rules do not affect new construction on vacant lots. Read the full story

The Davidson Town Board is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to adopt planning ordinance amendments to tighten restrictions on home sizes in the old part of town.

The board also will hold a public hearing Tuesday night about the proposed $7 million 2007-2008 town budget. And it is expected to vote on an ordinance that would allow the town to levy a new annual motor vehicle user fee. Read the full story

Rodney Graham is a Davidson resident and owner of John Marshall Custom Homes.

Recently, Davidson United Methodist Church invited our former pastor Dr. James Howell to speak as part of a series of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the church. Dr. Howell – who has lived in Charlotte the past three years – spoke humorously about getting off Exit 30, seeing all the construction and wondering if he had gotten off on the wrong exit. Read the full story

As Davidson debates new rules aimed at preserving the character of existing neighborhoods amid market pressure to tear down smaller houses and replace them with big ones, it’s helpful to know we’re not alone. Read the full story

The Davidson Town Board Tuesday night approved a conditional rezoning request for the Pinnacle at Davidson Gateway project near I-77 Exit 30, which includes a six-story, 78-foot residential condominium tower (illustration) and four other buildings.

The vote was 4-1, with commissioners John Woods, Cary Johnston, Evan Webster and Margo Williams in favor. Only Commissioner Bruce McMillen voted against the rezoning, arguing that “the mass and scale of the (condo) building is not appropriate for this site. This is the entryway to Davidson.” Read the full story

The Town Board agenda for Tuesday, April 10, is shaping up as a busy one, with a variety of presentations, two public hearings on proposed ordinance changes and a closely watched vote on whether to approve the Pinnacle at Davidson Gateway development near Exit 30.

One of the public hearings concerns proposed changes to the Village Infill Planning Area rules for residential new construction and renovations. Read the full story