Board of Commissioners

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS July 21, 2025 Agenda DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN - 3:00PM Downtown Master Plan Workshop Kyle Baugh with Kimley-Horn provided a project recap that included an updated market analysis, historic analysis, architectural analysis, phases of the core catalyst site, the Land Use Plan and additional catalyst sites, parking analysis and strategy, implementation, and next steps. Steve Blakely outlined the transportation strategy, regional connectivity and the downtown network that improves the movement of bikes, pedestrians, and vehicles. Mayor Washam suggested that the “Tree of Knowledge” be tied into the project in some way. Commissioner Osborne reiterated his concerns with pedestrians crossing at the intersection of Catawba/Hwy. 115 and that the Town should explore installing a tunnel for safe access. PRE-MEETING - 4:30PM Mayor Washam called the Pre-meeting to order at 4:51PM. Closed Session Pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(3) Mayor Washam called for a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to GS 143-318.11(3). Commissioner Higgins made a motion to go into Closed Session at 4:51PM. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4-0. Upon return from Closed Session at 5:31PM, the following items were discussed. Agenda Review Manager Grant provided the Board with an overview of the 6PM agenda items. He also reported that the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners will be voting on the sales tax referendum at their Aug. 6th meeting. The next step will be for all towns to make an appointment to the Transit Authority. The Medic MOU will be on the Aug. 4th meeting for consideration. REGULAR MEETING - 6:00PM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Washam called the meeting to order at 6:05PM. 2. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM All commissioners were present except for Commissioner Carney who was out of town. 07/21/25 Regular Meeting Page 1 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4-0. 4. MOMENT OF SILENCE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Washam led the pledge after a moment of silence was observed. 5. CITIZEN CONCERNS/COMMENTS Mayor Washam invited the public to speak. The following speaker was heard: Bill Fountain – 20524 Deep Cove Court, expressed his concerns with the CMS education system. 6. REPORTS Manager Grant reported on the following: • Fire Department update – CFD and CPD did a joint training exercise with a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) on June 12th. The training included tracking, maneuvering the drone around moving objects and target recognition in thermal and normal settings; ROV (remotely operated vehicle) training was conducted June 25th-27th and included initial setup, function testing, shore-based operations, GPS positioning, and fireboat based recovery operations; participated in the JV Washam end of year celebration on June 6th; and toured the new Atrium Health Lake Norman hospital. Parks Director Fitzsimmons reported on the following: • Mary Curcione has joined the Parks Department as the new Executive Assistant. • Parks update – Symphony in the Park was held on June 21st (9,750 attendees); Puzzle Palooza was held on June 25th (sold out with 20 teams registered); Cornelius Brick Race will be held on July 26th at Cain Park (10AM-11:30AM); North Meck Farmer’s Market continues every Wednesday (9AM-12PM) through Sept. 24th; and Sundown Sounds featuring Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot will take place on Aug. 15th (7:30PM-9:30PM) at Ramsey Creek Park. • Bailey Road Court Complex – tennis courts are paved and lights installed; tennis courts conversion to pickleball courts has begun. • Lake Norman Tennis Association – the 2025 USTA NC League State Championships were held on June 12th-15th where 11 state champions advanced to the Southern Sectionals and 1 local team advanced to the Nationals. 7. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. REZ 03-25 Jetton Rd (Cashmere) Mayor Washam called for a motion to open the public hearing on REZ 03-25 Jetton Road, Cashmere project. The public notice is attached hereto. Commissioner Higgins made a motion to open the public hearing. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4-0. Planning Director Rox Burhans presented a rezoning request made by applicant Adam and Iryna Jones to rezone .489 acres located at Jetton Road Extension and Bethel Church Road from Village Center to Conditional Zoning to allow for a 6-story mixed-used building (2,500sqft. commercial and 14 condominiums) with one level structured parking (14 spaces). He gave an overview of the location, current zoning, and proposed building elevations, the 07/21/25 Regular Meeting Page 2 building heights of nearby buildings. The community meeting held on Apr. 1st had approximately 15 attendees who in general supported the retail uses and building architecture, but expressed concerns with the building height and additional traffic it will create along Jetton Road Extension. The Planning Board unanimously approved the project subject to the building height being reduced to 3 stories. The applicant has indicated that the project cannot be developed at 3 stories. Commissioner Sansbury asked if the stacking lane could be extended along Bethel Church. Mr. Burhans stated that there is not enough room to extend the land. Commissioner Higgins asked if the proposed landscape/streetscape elements will dimmish the site distance. Mr. Burhans stated that there will be no issues with what is being proposed. Commissioner Johnson asked if the bump out at the corner of Bethel Church and Jetton Road would be removed. Mr. Burhans stated that it will be removed as part of the project. Mayor Washam invited applicant Adam Jones to speak. Mr. Jones presented elevation illustrations from the surrounding areas and the topography around the proposed site. He outlined the project highlights of constructing a mixed-use building in an area that has been rundown for years, the improvements to be made at Jetton Road and Bethel Church, underground parking, design enhancements, available retail space, and stormwater improvements. Mayor Washam invited the public to speak. The following speakers were in favor of the proposed project as it will support local businesses in an area that has been abandoned/undeveloped for decades: • P.E. Calvert – 18710 Oakhurst Blvd. • Ken Ziegler – 19925 Jetton Road • Kimberly Thaxton – 19520 West Catawba Ave. • Brooke Sines – 8734 Arrowhead Place Lane • Walter VanLoo – 19720 Jetton Road • Tammy Atwood – 20111 Chapel Point Lane • Hesham Sharawy – 21314 Olde Quarry Circle • Chris Baker – 19354 Watermark Drive • David Judge - 19708 Charles Towne Lane The following speakers were opposed to the proposed project due to the building height and not meeting what the Land Use Plan calls for in that area: • Stan Ott – 18717 Daymark Drive • Ed Braxton – 18725 Daymark Drive • Kenny Colbert – 18741 Daymark Drive There being no other speakers, Mayor Washam called for a motion to close or continue the public hearing. 07/21/25 Regular Meeting Page 3  Commissioner Higgins made a motion to continue the public hearing until August 4th. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4-0. 8. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. FY26 Budget Amendment Asst. Finance Director Cindy Johnston gave an overview of the normal carry forward items/capital projects that were not finished or goods that have not yet arrived that are from the FY25 budget where they have lapsed back into fund balance on June 30, 2025. The following items are part of this amendment: $100,000 NCHIP (health insurance reserve funds associated with being part of a self-funded pool); $32,350 Downtown Master Plan; $100,000 PD equipment (funds donated for the purchase of a drone); $70,252 PD vehicle upfit (equipment for new PD vehicles); $384,860 Emergency Rescue and Response Vehicle (asset forfeiture funds); $20,000 K-9 (asset forfeiture funds); and $19,837 Lambert's Cable Splicing (Hickory, Church, School streets (electric fund capital items). Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve Ordinance #2025-00880 amending the FY26 budget as presented. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4-0. Ordinance #2025-00880 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. B. Reimbursement Resolution Asst. Finance Director Cindy Johnston explained that the reimbursement resolution allows the Town to purchase PD vehicles and equipment approved in FY26 and then be reimbursed with the proceeds once the loan has closed. The budgeted amount for police vehicles is $650,000. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-01173 for PD vehicle reimbursement as presented. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4-0. Resolution #2025-01173 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. C. Arts and Science Council Culture Blocks Sponsorship Parks Director Fitzsimmons explained that Parks employee Emily Halden was successful in applying for and receiving an ASC Culture Blocks Festival Sponsorship of $3,500 to support the 2025 Cornelius Festival of Cultures to be held on Sept. 13th (3PM-6PM) at Cain Park. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to accept a $3,500 Arts and Science Council (ASC) Culture Blocks Sponsorship as presented. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4-0. 9. CONSENT AGENDA A. Tax Refunds = $11.83 (Approved 4-0) B. Resolution Declaring Surplus Property (Approved 4-0) C. Approve Minutes from June 16th – Regular Meeting (Approved 4-0) Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4-0. 07/21/25 Regular Meeting Page 4 11. COMMISSIONER CONCERNS No concerns were expressed. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35PM. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4- 0. Approved this 4th day of August 2025. ATTEST: Woody Washam, Jr., Mayor Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk 07/21/25 Regular Meeting Page 5  The Beaufort Gazette Durham | The Herald-Sun The Modesto Bee The Belleville News-Democrat Fort Worth Star-Telegram The Sun News - Myrtle Beach Bellingham Herald The Fresno Bee Raleigh News & Observer McClatchy Centre Daily Times Sun Herald Idaho Statesman Bradenton Herald The Island Packet The Kansas City Star Lexington Herald-Leader The Telegraph - Macon Rock Hill | The Herald The Sacramento Bee San Luis Obispo Tribune Tacoma | The News Tribune The Charlotte Observer Merced Sun-Star Tri-City Herald The State Miami Herald The Wichita Eagle Ledger-Enquirer El Nuevo Herald The Olympian AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION Account # Order Number Identification Order PO Cols Depth 50310 IPL0253009 Legal Ad - IPL0253009 2.0 38.0L ATTENTION: Rechelle Ward North Carolina } ss 21445 Catawba Avenue Mecklenburg County } CORNELIUS, NC 28031 Before the undersigned, a Notary Public of said County and State, duly accountspayable@cornelius.org authorized to administer oaths affirmations, etc., personally appeared, being duly sworn or affirmed according to law, doth depose and say that he/she is a representative of The Charlotte Observer Publishing Company, a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the State of North Carolina, and publishing a newspaper known as The Charlotte Observer in the city of Charlotte, County of Mecklenburg, NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING and State of North Carolina and that as such he/she is familiar with Town of Cornelius the books, records, files, and business of said Corporation and by 21445 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC reference to the files of said publication, the attached advertisement was inserted. The following is correctly copied from the books and files The Town of Cornelius Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM in Town Hall on the of the aforesaid Corporation and Publication. following item: REZ 03-25 Jetton Rd (Cashmere): Request by Adam & Iryna Jones (Zaika Group, 2.0 insertion(s) published on: LLC) to amend the zoning on approximately 0.489 acres of property at 19725 07/11/25 Print, 07/18/25 Print Jetton Rd. The parcel is further identified as Mecklenburg County PID number 00512302. The proposed rezoning is from Village Center (VC) to Conditional Zoning (CZ) in order to develop a 6-story mixed use building, comprised of 14 condominium units and 2,500 square feet of commercial space. Current Use: Vacant. Current Zoning: Village Center. Proposed Use: Mixed Use Building. Pro- posed Zoning: Conditional Zoning. PID: 00512302. IPL0253009 Jul 11,18 2025 Print Tearsheet Link Marketplace Link Sherry Chasteen Sherry Chasteen Mary Castro Sworn to and subscribed before me on Jul 18, 2025, 9:54 AM EDT Online Notary Public. This notarial act involved the use of online audio/video communication technology. Notarization facilitated by SIGNiX®