Huntersville Commissioners Green Light New Downtown Development

HUNTERSVILLE, NC — A controversial mixed use development plan that would bring hundreds of new homes and commercial space into downtown Huntersville was approved by the town's Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

The development plan includes the construction of 134 apartments, 41 town homes, 11 detached homed, along with 12,000 square-feet of non-residential space on a parcel of land behind Discovery Place at Gilead Road and Old Statesville Road.

The plan, which does not yet have a construction timeline, was approved by commissioners in a 3-2 vote, WSOC reported. Apartments will rent for about $1,200 a month for a one-bedroom, and town homes will be priced in the mid-$300,000 range, it said.

Many residents expressed opposition for the development plan that would alter the downtown landscape.

"This mixed use plan will have a negative impact on our home values, safe neighborhood, traffic, and erosion issues," Huntersville resident Marie Hicks wrote to commissioners. "This is one of the oldest and established areas of Huntersville and if multi-housing units are brought in, the added traffic and people will impact our current ability to enjoy walks on the streets and the safety of a small neighborhood."

Huntersville Police officer and resident Ross Howard also expressed his opposition in a written comment, saying, "I believe a large apartment building would be an incredible detriment to the downtown area in the near term and long term."

Janet Pierson said she thought the proposed plan included too many residential properties, and that she would love to see more retail, restaurants or office space. "I have lived in the neighborhood all of my life… and it will increase the traffic," she said. "People will find they can cut through the neighborhood roads."

"We need more walking friendly businesses and commercial development instead of more cars to make traffic unbearable," resident Iaiela Dumitrescu said.

Not all residents were against the plan, however.

"I have been a Huntersville resident since 1987 and have seen a great deal of transformation in that time," resident Jeff Boyer said in comments to the commission supporting the project. "The voices of residents opposing this project are stuck in the past, and hopefully will not stifle this project and others to come which will take the town into the future. We are quite fortunate to be attracting investment into the area, and a favorable view by the town on projects such as this is imperative to such investments continuing going forward."

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