The Town of Cornelius and its consultants have redrawn the town’s land-use map, which guides future development. Click to see the full map on the town website. The changes will be discussed at a public hearing Monday, Oct. 21.

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

For the past couple of years citizens and town officials have been taking a fresh use at the town’s policies governing growth and development, and that’s leading to changes in the town’s Land Use Plan. On Monday, The Cornelius Town Board will hold public hearing Monday on proposed updates to the plan, a sort of policy statement for new development.

The hearing will come during the board’s regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 21, at 7pm, at Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.

Among the major changes under consideration are:

• How to zone the area east of N.C. 115, including whether minimum lot sizes should be reduced from 5 acres to 2 1/2 acres. Planning director Wayne Herron on Thursday called that “probably the biggest area of debate.”
• Changes to promote nonresidential development along the Lake Norman waterfront in three broadly defined areas: Off West Catawba Avenue from Kenton Place north to Westmoreland Road, in the area around the Rusty Rudder, off Henderson Road; and in the area off I-77 Exit 28 behind Acropolis Restaurant.
• Zoning in the US 21/Statesville Road corridor, including the area of the failed mixed-use Augustalee project at Westmoreland Road. “We’re trying to evaluate is that still a good plan or does it need an update,” Herron said. “We’ll probably still look at a village center type thing at the intersection of 21 and Westmoreland, and continue to support highway commercial type zoning.”

Cornelius first adopted a Land Use Plan in 1999. The town’s Comprehensive Master Plan adopted last year said a top priority for policymakers should be updating the plan. At Monday’s meeting, Planning Board chair Brian Simmons will introduce the Planning Board’s recommendations. Herron also will talk about the process.

“The planning board has worked for the last several months working their way through the Land Use Plan, looking at what updates we need for the future,” Herron said. The major points above are among about eight key sections the board has looked at. In its discussions, the board has talked to at least 50 stakeholders, including property owners, and many continue to be involved, he said.

The town also is working with a consultant on the project. Roger Waldon, of Clarion and Associates, also will provide details of the recommendations, and citizens will have a chance to offer their views of the changes.

Read more about the Land Use Plan on the town website. See a map of the potential land-use changes here.

See also a memo from consultants Clarion Associates with recommendations. (PDF)

Find out more about other items on Monday’s agenda in our meeting preview.