A photo of a neighborhood developed by Ross Chapin Architects shows what a pocket neighborhood might look like – a collection of small cottage-style homes.” (Ross Chapin Architects photo)

Davidson developer John Marshall Custom Homes is seeking approval for a new infill development that would include 16 small homes on about 3 acres along Delburg Street, between Beaty and Watson streets in Davidson. In his application developer Rodney Graham describes the project as Davidson’s first “pocket neighborhood.”

A public information session about the project is planned Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 3-7 p.m. at Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St.

The unique project, designed by The Lawrence Group of Davidson, would create a neighborhood of smaller homes within walking distance of downtown Davidson. The houses would be between 1,200 and 2,600 square feet, according to the developer. Drawings in the developer’s application show small “cottage-style” houses.

The property is on the north side of Delburg, in a neighborhood of old mill homes and vacant parcels. Click to enlarge.

John Marshall Custom Homes has built a variety of infill houses around town, as well as Davidson Springs, an eight-home project at the end of Walnut Street, near Mimosa Cemetery. The company is owned by Mr. Graham, a Davidson town commissioner. Mr. Graham has focused on environmentally sustainable projects in walking-friendly neighborhoods.

Mr. Graham wants to build the new houses on a vacant 2.81-acre parcel owned by Carolina Highland Inc., a real estate partnership that includes local lawyers Sandy Carnegie and Bob McIntosh. It’s surrounded by old mill houses, a block from the Sadler Square shopping center and the Brickhouse Tavern, a short walk to the Armour Street Theatre and not far from the Exit 30 area.

The project is designed as what planners call a “pocket neighborhood.” In the application, the developers say, “This type of development includes architectural quality in the building design, prioritized common space and landscaping in the open space design, and general preference to the resident and pedestrian through the planning concepts.”

“The neighborhood will add appropriately scaled density to the village center of Davidson, helping to foster businesses on Main Street and the surrounding area,” the developer says.

Davidson grew quickly in the 1990s and 2000s, mainly from high-end residential developments at the edges of town. In his application, Mr. Graham says one goal of this new project will be to help with the town’s planning goal of re-establishing a historic diversity of people.

“The neighborhood appeals to a wide range of people including retirees, young families, and multi-generational households,” the application says.

RELATED LINKS

See the official page for the project at www.townofdavidson.org/delburginfill

Download a copy of the developer’s application (PDF).