FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Town of Mooresville Board of Commissioners on Monday narrowly approved a request to rezone 96.8 acres off Transco Road, clearing the way for a large multi-family development along Lake Norman.

Liv Development plans to build 579 units and a 3,000-square-foot restaurant on the site, along with amenities such as clubhouses and pools. The Birmingham, Ala., development group also agreed to construct a 1.45-mile public walkway along the lake and donate 14 acres to the town for a park.

Commissioners deadlocked 3-3 on a vote to rezone the property from traditional neighborhood to conditional-traditional neighborhood. Commissioners Eddie Dingler, Lisa Qualls and Gary West voted against the rezoning, and commissioners Bobby Compton, Tommy DeWeese and Thurman Houston voted in favor of the request.

Calling it a “solid project” that would benefit the community, Mayor Miles Atkins cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the rezoning. The developer, Atkins said, had answered all of the board’s questions and did everything asked of it.

During the developer’s presentation, Cindy Reid told commissioners that the first 50 units would not be ready for occupancy until June 2, 2025, the estimated completion date of the much anticipated East-West Connector. The remaining 272 units planned for Phase I, plus all infrastructure, the greenway and restaurant would be completed by July 2026, Reid said, and Phase II (257 units) would not be finished before 2028.

The board deadlocked again on a request to annex the property into town limits. Atkins again broke the tie. Because annexation requires a two-thirds majority to be approved on first reading, the board will hold another public hearing on the annexation request and take up the matter again on May 15.

Town staff and the planning board previously recommended approval of the rezoning request.

Qualls and Dingler led the charge against the rezoning, arguing that the area had been set aside for industry with technical jobs, that the road infrastructure could not handle the additional traffic and schools could not accommodate a massive influx of new students.

“We’ve worked for years to keep this a job-focused area,” Qualls said.

During the public hearing, resident Richard Beck urged the board to “have the courage” to deny the annexation.

“This is not a good plan, and I’m disappointed in the board,” Beck said. “They’re going to build it and leave. We get stuck with everything.” 

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