News Summary
The Cornelius Board of Commissioners has unanimously rejected a rezoning proposal for a $39 million business park project on family-owned farmland. Concerns over increased traffic, safety for local students, and community degradation were cited as key reasons for the decision, despite previous support from the planning board. The developers had anticipated job creation and economic benefits, but safety and community impact ultimately swayed the board’s vote. The farmland remains designated as ‘rural preserve,’ leaving its future use uncertain.
Cornelius – The Cornelius Board of Commissioners unanimously voted 5-0 to reject a rezoning proposal for a $39 million business park project proposed by Greenberg Gibbons Properties. The planned development would have taken place on a 36-acre family-owned farmland on Bailey Road, raising safety and traffic concerns among local residents, particularly for students attending Hough High School and Bailey Middle School.
The proposed Cornelius Business Park was set to include four Class A flex office buildings, totaling approximately 188,100 square feet. It was estimated to create between 175 and 250 jobs and generate around $300,000 in annual tax revenue for both the town and Mecklenburg County.
However, local officials had serious reservations regarding the potential traffic increase associated with the project. The business park was projected to add about 900 vehicle trips daily to Bailey Road, a concern amplified by the presence of schools in the vicinity. The Board highlighted that the influx of trucks from the business park could endanger local residents, including seniors living in the nearby Bailey’s Glen active adult community.
Developers had asserted that the customer base for the business park would primarily consist of delivery trucks and service industry vans, yet they did not clarify whether larger 18-wheel trucks would be part of the operations. This ambiguity left room for additional concerns among commissioners and residents alike.
Some commissioners expressed that the business park would ultimately degrade the community, indicating that it would create long-term issues for those living in the area. One commissioner argued for a more constructive vision for the land, suggesting a mixed-use development that would incorporate a public park, which could potentially offer both recreational opportunities and economic benefits.
Earlier, the Cornelius Planning Board had shown support for the rezoning proposal, recommending it in a 7-1 vote. Despite these endorsements from certain planning officials, the concerns raised by the Board of Commissioners ultimately led to the rejection of the project.
Developers had promised that planned road improvements, such as constructing a roundabout and adding turn lanes, would help alleviate expected traffic congestion. Despite these assurances, the concerns regarding safety on Bailey Road were prioritized in the board’s decision-making process.
The public hearing held prior to the vote indicated a divided opinion among local residents, with 16 speakers opposing the project and 16 voicing their support. Proponents highlighted potential job creation and the economic boost the business park would bring to the local area.
In the aftermath of the decision, Drew Thigpen, co-founder of Greenberg Gibbons Properties, conveyed disappointment and announced intentions to seek development opportunities in other areas of Lake Norman instead. The family that owns the farmland, local farmers Gene and Wes Hunter, emphasized that selling the property had been crucial for their retirement amid ongoing challenges in the farming industry.
The land remains designated as “rural preserve,” limiting residential development options. Despite its recent rejection for commercial development, no immediate future plans for this acreage have yet been proposed by the town, leaving its potential use uncertain.
This decision reflects ongoing tensions in the community between development, safety, and the preservation of local farmland. As the town navigates these issues, the focus may shift towards finding solutions that balance economic growth with the needs and concerns of residents.
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Additional Resources
- WSOC TV
- Charlotte Observer
- Cornelius Today
- WCNC
- Cornelius Today
- Wikipedia: Urban Planning
- Google Search: Cornelius rezoning
- Google Scholar: Cornelius business development
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cornelius North Carolina
- Google News: Cornelius NC development
