Iredell commissioners to review North-South Parkways study

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

BY KARISSA MILLER

The Iredell County Board of Commissioners will consider endorsing the North-South Parkways sub-area study during Tuesday’s meeting.

Commissioners will meet at 5 p.m. for their pre-agenda briefing followed by their regular session at 7 p.m. inside the commissioners meeting room upstairs. Both meetings are open to the public and take place at the Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville.

In 2016, the Lake Norman Transportation Commission requested participation in applying for a matching grant from the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

County commissioners voted to participate and contributed matching funds for the study of a North-South Parkway in southern Iredell County. Other participants in the study include Huntersville, Davidson, Mooresville, and Cornelius.

North Mecklenburg and southern Iredell County are experiencing significant population growth. This trend is expected to continue through 2040. The existing transportation network, particularly north-south connectivity, is inadequate for current conditions.

In 2010, the Urban Land Institute completed a study that identified the need for north-south connectivity and recommended a new route which was titled the North-South Parkway.

While the title implies the idea that the North-South Parkway would stretch from Mooresville to Charlotte, after much research and public input it was determined that there isn’t one parkway that can complement NC 115.

On Tuesday, the board will learn about the proposed blueprint, compiled by consultants Gresham Smith. The final plan offers a series of connections using existing and proposed thoroughfares that attempt to satisfy the north-south transportation demand for the local jurisdictions in the study area.

OTHER BUSINESS

Also, during the meeting, commissioners will:

• Conduct a public hearing for the consideration of an economic development incentive for up to $94,000 over a five-year period for Project Ballast presented by Christopher Younger. This is contingent upon the company’s investment of $5.7 million in Iredell County and a contract being signed within 180 days.
• Consider a request from Parks and Recreation for approval of a budget amendment in the amount of $4,000, donated by the Rotary Club of Statesville, to help build a new picnic shelter at the Ropes Challenge Course located at Jennings Park.
• Consider a request from Planning and Development to call for a public hearing on March 17 at 7 p.m. in regard to a text amendment to the Land Development Code.
• Consider approving Iredell County Public Library’s five-year strategic plan. Julianne Moore, executive director of the library, has an appointment before the board and will review community input and other recommendations at 7 p.m.