Apr 24 2008
Cornelius Council Backs I-77 Development
Cornelius commissioners Wednesday approved the largest development proposal in town history, a project that could lead to sweeping changes to the region’s economic and traffic landscape.
The board approved a rezoning and conditional-use permit for The Village at Lake Norman — up to 2.4 million square feet of shops, condos, restaurants, offices, parks and two hotels — by a 3-2 vote.
Commissioners Jim Bensman, Dave Gilroy and Susan Medlin voted for the rezoning of 105 acres on the southwest corner of U.S. 21 and Westmoreland Road. Commissioners Eddie McNeely and Thurman Ross voted against.
As part of the $516 million project, the developer has promised to widen Interstate 77 to at least three lanes in each direction between Exits 23 and 28 and add an interchange at Westmoreland Road.
There was some opposition to this, as there usually is in suburban communities, but I look at development as a positive thing. With development and growth comes more industry, which creates more jobs, and eventually a higher standard of living for more people. Growth has to be measured, of course. Cities need to make sure they have the appropriate infrastructure in place to accommodate the excess businesses, traffic, people, etc., but it sounds like Cornelius has a solid plan.
