Work in nearing completion on Legacy Cornelius, off Westmoreland Road. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

CORNELIUS – The Cornelius Town Board on Monday voted 5-0 to annex Legacy Cornelius, a development of 168 condos and 77 townhouses off Westmoreland Road. At the meeting, commissioners also approved new rules governing fences, garden walls and retaining walls, and they approved contracts for design work on Phase 2 of Robbins Park and for the proposed Caldwell Station Greenway.

LEGACY CORNELIUS ANNEXED

Goldberg Companies GCI Residential of Ohio have been building the 41.5-acre Legacy Cornelius project for about a year, and it has been planned for almost a decade. The development is west of I-77, off Westmoreland Road, across from Alexander Chase.

The annexation, which was requested by the developers, is effective Dec. 31. That means the project goes on the town tax rolls, and Cornelius will begin providing police and fire coverage, street maintenance and other services.

Nobody spoke at a public hearing before Monday night’s vote on the annexation. But Commissioner Chuck Travis did ask the planning staff about complaints he has heard about “excessive tree-clearing” during the construction project.

Mr. Travis said some neighbors had met with planning staff to express concern over the tree-cutting, which they said went beyond what was allowed. “It really is a big issue to that neighborhood,” Mr. Travis said.

Town planner Jason Prescott said the planning staff and the developer had med with neighbors “to talk about what the neighbors see behind them.” The developers have agreed to plant a buffer of evergreen trees to replace the lost foliage.

“Will you go back there and check?” Mr. Travis asked.

Yes, Mr. Prescott said. The tree planting requirement will be on a final checklist before the project can get its certificate of occupancy, he said.

Construction is nearing completion and units in the complex are now leasing. Prices range from $893 for a 1-bedroom, 1-bath unit to $1,100 for 2 bedrooms and 2 baths to $1,288 for 3-bedroom, 2 bath units. The complex also has a clubhouse with pool and fitness center, and welcomes pets.

Info about the apartments: http://www.legacycornelius.com

Previous coverage: Jan. 11, 2012, “Work begins on Legacy Cornelius condos, townhouses.” 

RULES FOR FENCES AND WALLS

Commissioners voted 5-0 in favor of new rules governing fences, garden walls and retaining walls. The board agreed to amend the Land Development Code to consolidate rules previously found in various parts of the ordinance into a single section. The changes add retain walls to the types of walls that the town may regulate.

“The thinking behind that is we can now regulate their aesthetics and we can also regulate their placement,” Mr. Prescott said.

In response to questions, Mr. Prescott said there are no setback requirements for fences at homes in Cornelius, though there are setbacks for garden walls.

Commissioner Travis noted that other places prohibit front-yard fences and walls, and he expressed concern about the language in the proposed ordinance. “I just don’t know why we’re promoting fences around the front yard. … I’m not so sure it’s getting to where our town should go,” he said.

[Davidson has prohibited front yard fences since 2008, when a homeowner on Concord Road prompted a debate with his new fence.]

Download a copy of the new rules on the town website.

CONSULTING CONTRACTS APPROVED

Caldwell Station Greenway proposed routes. Click for related map and documents.

The board also voted unanimously Monday to approve consulting contacts for two park related projects, the Caldwell Station Greenway and Robbins Park Phase 2.

Commissioners approved a $59,115 contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. and a budget ordinance for the Caldwell Station Creek Greenway. Cornelus Parks Arts Recreation & Culture (PARC) had seven potential consultants request information, and interviewed three before picking Stantec.

The company will help develop an alignment and cost estimates for the proposed trail, which would likely follow one of three proposed routes between N.C. 115/South Main Street and U.S. 21/Statesville Road. One route follows Caldwell Station Creek, one would run along Bailey Road, and a third would go through the Oakhurst neighborhood.

Cornelius previously has been awarded a $2.15 million grant to help develop the trail, according to town officials. Read more on the town website.

Robbins Park Phase 2 site plan. Click for related documents.

Meanwhile, Wirth & Associates will begin planning for the second phase of Robbins Park, off WEset Catawba Avenue, under a $105,000 contract the board approved Monday. Eight potential consultants expressed interest, three were interviewed and staff recommended Wirth for the job.

The work will include designing improvements to two ponds and planning a trail connection between Robbins Park and Westmoreland Athletic Complex. An upper pond at the park also would eventually get a handicapped accessible fishing pier, a bridge and wildlife observation area, volleyball courts, and new trails.

More about the Robbins Park project on the town website.

The board also agreed to spend $1,200 on planning for a rail-side trail from Mooresville to Charlotte, along the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project. All area towns are chipping to help fund a feasibility study for the trail.