By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson’s Town Board voted 4-1 Tuesday night to revise the town’s development approval process in a move some town officials said would make it “more predictable” for developers. The vote came after a lengthy debate and discussion with citizens, some concerned that it would reduce public involvement in planning decisions.

The 4 hour and 47 minute meeting included a presentation and public hearing about the $9.3 million town budget for 2012-13 and a presentation by Carolinas HealthCare System officials about a planned mental health hospital off N.C. 73. The board also adopted a new ordinance limiting and regulating the use of golf carts and utility vehicles in town. Read the full story

Davidson’s Town Board adopted a new animal control ordinance Tuesday night that updates and consolidates existing rules and adds a new ban on “tethering” – the practice of chaining unattended dogs. The board also voted to renew the town’s contract with the City of Charlotte Animal Control for another year, approved master plan changes for the Exit 30-area Northeast Quadrant and River Run Phase 5 projects, and amended planning rules governing building facade design. Officials said the latter change was intended to help an unnamed developer considering a project in town. Read the full story

Updated 7:45 p.m.
Davidson’s Town Board will hold a 30-minute closed session before its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night, April 10. The topic has not been disclosed. The closed session begins at 5:30 p.m., and the board “anticipates” returning to open session at 6 p.m., according to an announcement Thursday. (UPDATE: On Monday 4/9/12 the board announced it was canceling the closed session.)

Tuesday’s meeting also will include public hearings on four planning and zoning amendments or projects: Read the full story

Joshua Kogas

Davidson Police are asking for help finding an 18-year-old man who disappeared in east Davidson Wednesday night after telling a 911 dispatcher he had intentionally overdosed on his medication.

Joshua Wilton Kogas called 911 around 8:30 p.m., saying he had intentionally overdosed on his medication and was laying in the wooded area near Mayes Road and N.C. 73. Davidson Police and Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department began a search of the area with officers, dogs and a helicopter, but were unable to find Mr. Kogas Wednesday night.

In a statement Thursday morning, police said Mr. Kogas has been seeing a doctor  for unspecified medical conditions that require medication. “At this time, it is unclear if he has his medications with him,” the statement said.

Mr. Kogas is white, six feet tall, 180 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen Wednesday night near Page’s Pond Court and N.C. 73 wearing blue jeans, black tee shirt and an orange or red backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Davidson Police at 704-892-5131.

RELATED COVERAGE

March 28, 2012, “Police search E. Davidson for teen threatening himself”

We've had some stormy weather lately, haven't we? Robert Taylor shot this lightning over River Run during a storm one evening last week. (Robert Taylor photo)

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Davidson police are investigating an incident on Davidson-Concord Road near the Pages Pond neighborhood Monday afternoon in which two  men attempted to break into a woman’s home while she was inside. The homeowner called 911 and watched as one suspect tried to break a glass door with a hammer before fleeing when an alarm sounded. Also over the past week, a North Main Street resident reported losing jewelry valued at $4,209, and a woman was charged after a hit-and-run crash on Davidson Gateway Drive. Police are investigating thefts from the GNC store on Jetton Street and River Run Country Club. Details on these stories and more (along with a tally of the past two weeks’ arrests, citations, and traffic enforcement) may be found below. Read the full story

Over the past week, Davidson firefighters assisted Cornelius emergency personnel with a furnace fire and investigated an odor of gas inside a River Run home. Units also responded to several calls on the Davidson College campus, including a stalled elevator in the Chambers Building, where they extricated two passengers  stuck between floors.  Details on these stories and more (along with a tally of the week’s medical calls) may be found below. Read the full story

Davidson firefighters over the past week helped Mount Mourne Volunteer Fire Department with a major accident on I-77 and assisted Cornelius and Huntersville units at an early morning house fire on Brinkley Street. Other calls included a smoke alarm at the Homewood Suites triggered when a resident tried fry a whole fish in his suite’s kitchen. Details on these stories and more (along with a tally of the week’s medical calls) may be found below. Read the full story