At its meeting last night, the Huntersville Board of Commissioners voted 5-1 to approve the rezoning request from Treenail Development. The company sought to rezone about 70 acres off Hambright Road to allow for the development of Town 1, a large mixed-use project proposing 747 multifamily units and 419,300 square feet of commercial space. Treenail will lead the development of Town 1 and is working with NASCAR driver Joey Logano, who is a partner on the project.

Rob Kidwell was the lone commissioner to vote against the project, citing concerns about its impact on schools. The remaining commissioners were in lockstep after the rezoning was unanimously recommended for approval by the town's planning board at a meeting last month. The town's planning staff also recommended approval of Treenail's request.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of the commissioner's vote," Treenail's Ben Geisler said in a statement to the Charlotte Business Journal. "I think it speaks volumes about the quality of the project to have such strong majority support at the board level in today’s climate, and we appreciate how they handled the process. We started the concept and site layout for Town 1 working hand in hand with town of Huntersville planning staff and, while the process was challenging at times, their guidance and support resulted in a better project, evidenced by our unanimous approval at the planning board and tonight’s decisive vote.”

The Town 1 land is at Mt. Holly-Huntersville and Hambright roads, near the site of a future Charlotte Area Transit System park-and-ride station.

"It is reasonable and in the public interest to rezone the approximately 70.54 acres identified on the submitted plans as it is consistent with the envisioned use and development pattern set forth in the 2040 Community Plan," Commissioner Dan Boone read in his motion to approve the rezoning for Town 1. "The location of the proposed development can support the increased density through the proximity to two major thoroughfares, future CATS park-and-ride facility, and I-77. The proposed rezoning plans meet the intent of the four districts requested, the applicable provisions on the zoning ordinance, and come together as one development plan in a cohesive manner."

Susan Irvin and Cornelius-based Irvin Law Group led the rezoning process for Town 1 on behalf of Treenail. Charlotte-based Bartlett Hartley & Mulkey Architects and Cornelius-based Woodbine Design are part of the project team, as well.

Geisler has touted Town 1 as a true mixed-use development, with 31 acres designated for residential development and 30 acres set aside for commercial development, according to site plans.

The commercial element of Town 1 calls for a range of uses. It will be centered on a pedestrian village that Geisler has previously compared to Kingsley Town Center in Fort Mill. Plans also include a seven-story, Class A office building of around 126,000 square feet.