Town officials have unveiled a new set of proposed planning ordinance revisions designed to clarify and tighten restrictions on home construction in the old part of town.

The rules changes, published on the town website, would affect the height, square footage and setback requirements for new homes, renovations and additions, in the Village Infill Planning Area.

A public hearing on the revisions is planned during the Town Board meeting Tuesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

The town decided to tighten the rules last year after concerns arose that some residential construction projects were out of character with surrounding neighborhoods. Read the full story

The second of two new roundabouts on Griffith Street near Exit 30 off I-77 could be completed as early as Feb. 1, improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety, Town Manager Leamon Brice said Tuesday night.

Brice offered the timetable in response to residents’ complaints during the citizen comment period of the monthly Town Board meeting.

Development-related traffic and construction issues have become a major headache amid Davidson’s current building boom, and those concerns were on many residents’ minds during the comment session Tuesday.

Several speakers described construction-related problems around Exit 30, including storm-water runoff, a lack of sidewalks and dangerous traffic. Meanwhile, citizens who live on or near Concord Road asked the board to address the effects of construction traffic and speeding on their street.

Town board members and other town officials promised to look into many of the concerns, and in some case are already doing so, but no specific actions were before the board for a vote. Read the full story

Planning Director Kris Krider’s monthly planning report is out, chock full of updates on many of the development and planning projects underway in Davidson.

News in the report includes:

• An item suggesting that Davidson might amend its interlocal agreement with Cornelius to allow South Street to open into the Antiquity Cornelius development. This news comes although no progress appears to have been made on the required entrance at the southern end of the project. (See Village Infill Planning Area section of the report below). Town Manager Leamon Brice says the town is concerned about the lack of progress on the Cornelius side. (Details on our SouthandWalnut page.)
• News about the roundabouts on Griffith Street and other developments in the construction projects at Exit 30.
• Word that complaints have subsided about construction traffic into the Walnut Grove development, off Walnut Street.
• New development proposals for a hotel at Exit 30, a tear-down and six-unit development on Delburg Street, and a new subdivision near Mayes Road next to the Woodlands.
• A report on the Town Board’s adoption of interim house size and setback rules for the Village Infill area. (See our Dec. 4 news item, “Revised Village Infill design rules published,” for more information.)

Text of the Planning Director’s report follows:

Read the full story

The town has finally made public the text of revisions to the Village Infill Planning Area rules that the town board adopted in October.

The changes will set new maximum building heights, setbacks and house square footage limits. The revisions are posted on the town Website. To read, CLICK HERE> (You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document.)

The changes, approved by the Town Board Oct. 10, came in response to concerns that some new homes and renovations to existing homes in the old part of town are out of character with the surrounding neighborhood. Key provisions:

• Additions of more than 250 square feet must meet design and size restrictions.
• Front setbacks cannot be greater or less than other structures within 500 feet on either side, and must be within 10 feet of the closest adjoining house.
• Heights are restricted to 37 feet or 2 1/2 stories, whichever is less.

(Comments welcome – by clicking “comments” below)
Read the full story