STEELE CREEK NEWS

Decisions Deferred on Two Steele Creek Rezoning Petitions

(July 15, 2002) Rezoning decisions for two petitions on tonight's Charlotte City Council meeting agenda have been deferred to a later date. 

For the first petition, the McAlpine Group planned to build up to 490 single family homes on approximately 136 acres located on the north side of Hamilton Road east of Steele Creek Road. This property currently is owned by Frances Flowe. The rezoning requested would allow a density higher than the currently-allowed three residences per acre. See Rezoning Petition 2002-052. At a public hearing on June 17, several objections were raised. (See previous story.) The petitioner has withdrawn the petition and plans to work with the Planning Commission staff and adjacent property owners to develop a more acceptable plan and resubmit the petition in September. (A protest petition was filed and was sufficient to invoke the 3/4 majority-voting rule.)

For the second petition, Robert Murphy plans to convert a historic circa 1900 house on the former Caruther's Plantation on Youngblood Road into a country inn or bed and breakfast and has requested a change from R-3, single family residential, to B-2(CD), general business-conditional district. See Rezoning Petition 2002-065. He also plans to build a separate 4,500 square foot building for receptions and other events that would accommodate up to 220 people.

The Planning Commission staff believes a bed and breakfast alone would be an appropriate use at the location but the reception facility and associated parking significantly changes the character of the property and eliminates the charm of the older home. Under the proposed zoning, the potential also exists for additional business activities, such as preparing food for off-site catering or providing regular restaurant service.  Event noise and parking could have a negative impact on adjacent residential areas. The Zoning Committee of the Planning Commission voted unanimously that the petition be denied.

The petitioner has requested deferral until August when he plans to present a plan that excludes the reception facility. (A protest petition was filed and was sufficient to invoke the 3/4 majority-voting rule.)