Cornelius Planning Board Approves 36-Acre Business Park

News Summary

The Cornelius Planning Board has approved a developer’s plan for a 36-acre business park on Bailey Road, despite resident concerns regarding traffic congestion. The project, aimed at creating jobs and public amenities, includes plans for four buildings, a vegetative buffer, and road improvements. Community members have raised concerns about the impact of increased traffic, especially during peak school times. The recommendation now moves to the Cornelius Board of Commissioners for final approval.

Cornelius, North Carolina – The Cornelius Planning Board has voted in favor of a developer’s plan to establish a 36-acre business park on Bailey Road, despite concerns raised by residents regarding traffic congestion and its alignment with the town’s future development goals. The development aims to create job opportunities and provide public amenities to the community.

The proposed Cornelius Business Park will be located approximately a quarter-mile east of the intersection between Bailey Road and N.C. 115. Drew Thigpen, co-founder and vice president of development at Greenberg Gibbons Properties, submitted the rezoning application necessary for the project to move forward. The board ultimately voted 7-1 in support of the rezoning recommendation, which will now be presented to the Cornelius Board of Commissioners for final approval.

This business park will comprise four buildings, which include two structures standing at 22 feet high and two taller buildings reaching 29 feet in height located toward the back of the property. Collectively, these buildings will cover a total area of 188,100 square feet and are expected to generate over 150 jobs within the local economy, according to estimates from the developer.

Significantly, the project will also include a 40-foot vegetative buffer intended to screen the park from Bailey Road, alongside necessary improvements to the existing road infrastructure. Enhancements to Bailey Road will feature a new roundabout and a left-turn lane for westbound traffic, which aim to alleviate potential congestion caused by the anticipated increase in traffic due to the business park.

900 daily vehicle trips, spotlighting peak congestion times typically experienced during school drop-off and pickup hours.

198,000 square feet, but due to community feedback, this was revised to the current four-building plan, which still incorporates public amenities. These amenities will include a half-acre dog park, four pickleball courts, and over 4,600 feet of sidewalks and walking trails, aimed at fostering community engagement and enhancing local recreational opportunities.

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Additional Resources

• Charlotte Observer: Cornelius Business Park News
• Wikipedia: Cornelius, North Carolina
• Cornelius Today: Revised Business Park Project
• Google Search: Cornelius Business Park
• WCNC: Cornelius Business Park Concerns
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Cornelius
• Community Impact: Cornelius Nursery News
• Google News: Cornelius Business Development

Author: HERE Charlotte