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The petitioner has withdrawn the petition and plans to work with the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.)
|