By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson commissioners are scheduled to vote Tuesday on a proposal to overhaul – and streamline – the town’s development approval process in a move designed to make it easier for developers. The board also will hold public hearings on the proposed 2012-13 budget, ordinance changes governing outdoor wall murals, changes in the conditional planning area approval process, and an ordinance spelling out how golf carts and utility vehicles can operate on local streets.

Also on the agenda is a presentation by Carolinas HealthCare System on its plan to build a $36 million, 66-bed mental health hospital on the former Davidson East site, off N.C. 73. Commissioners also will hear a presentation about results of the town’s recent citizen survey and will hear from Mary Anne Hammond, chair of the Committee on Aging. And they’ll vote on a budget amendment that will help fund a shortfall at the MI-Connection Communications System. Read the full story

Town officials on Friday confirmed rumors that the town’s public information officer is gone from her Town Hall job. Megan Pillow Davis, who had held the job since August 2010, was at work Friday morning but gone by the end of the day. No further information was immediately available. Read the full story

Town of Davidson announcement
Work will begin soon on a long-awaited public art project that will transform an empty space between the Davidson library side porch and CVS. A groundbreaking for the Main Street Book Garden will be Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m. at the site. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Carolinas HealthCare System said Wednesday it will build a $36 million, 66-bed mental health hospital on part of the former Davidson East site, off N.C. 73 east of Davidson, to fill what it says is a need for behavioral health care in the Lake Norman region. Read the full story

Town Day, a 5K road race, the Davidson Farmer’s Market, a college lacrosse tournament and other events are expected to bring crowds to downtown Davidson Saturday morning. Plan ahead to find a parking spot (see your options below). Better yet, walk or bike into town for the morning if you can.

The day’s events begin early, with the Davidson Farmer’s Market next to Town Hall. Farmers and volunteers will be on site by 6:30 setting up, and the market runs from 8 a.m. to noon.

Read the full story

Well, we all know what a great place Davidson is – even if N.C. Chapter of the American Planning Association got it wrong.

For the past few weeks, citizens around the state have been invited to pick from a short list of finalists for the 2012 Great Places Award, in a contest organized by the state’s professional planners. Main Street Davidson was among the six communities nominated. Read the full story

Davidson celebrates its 41st Town Day and the 175th anniversary of the town on Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a festival of fun, community service, food from local restaurants, and entertainment on the Village Green. The day starts with an early morning 5K road race, this year to benefit Community School of Davidson. And there’s even a Town Day T-shirt for sale. Town officials are using the day to promote a variety of official programs, from pet licensing to bicycle safety. Read the full story

The Davidson Police Department will be offering Davidson residents the opportunity to register their dogs, cats and ferrets at the police department booth on Davidson Town Day May 5, 2012 from 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.  Residents will need to provide the rabies certificate that has the tag number and the date of rabies inoculation.  Any questions please call Cheryl Dellinger at the Police Department 704-892-5131.