By Collin Huguley – Staff Writer, Charlotte Business Journal
Cornelius-based NorthState Development has finally won rezoning and annexation approval for its proposed mixed-use project in Mooresville. The approvals were given by the town's board of commissioners June 17, after the developer once again scaled back its plans in order to win over officials.
NorthState rezoned and annexed a 52.2-acre site at 443 Alcove Road. The requests were made to accommodate a project with 350 townhomes and a minimum of 10,000 square feet of commercial space. NorthState's David Dupree said the townhomes would likely be for sale. The developer has not yet determined who the homebuilder for the project will be.
The developer ran into trouble in the rezoning process last year before reducing the density of its proposed project. NorthState initially proposed 660 residential units — including apartments, townhomes and active-adult units — and at least 10,000 square feet of commercial space at the site. That version of the project had its rezoning request recommended for denial by the Mooresville Planning Board in September. Earlier this year, NorthState reduced the density to 480 residential units, including 280 apartments and 200 townhomes.
The latest proposal eliminated apartments entirely. The town's planning staff recommended approval of the rezoning based on the most recent project plan.
A construction start for NorthState's project does not appear to be imminent. The project will be developed in two phases. The first phase would include up to 250 townhomes. The second phase would feature the remaining residential units and commercial space.
Vertical construction on the first phase cannot start until the town secures land for a neighboring fire station, or 18 months from zoning approval. The second phase's vertical construction timeline is tied to the Fairview Road extension project, or five years from zoning approval. Planning Director Erika Martin said the Fairview Road extension is anticipated for construction in 2027.
Town commissioners were pleased with the changes to NorthState's plan. They saw the rezoning annexation as an ideal outcome for density at the site. The land's previous zoning allowed the development of up to 930 residential units, if a developer could secure utilities at the site. The new zoning, which includes conditions, reduces the density significantly and allows access to Mooresville's utilities.
“It is the best that we can get to at this point,” Commissioner Lisa Qualls said of the new project proposal.
NorthState has an active portfolio of projects in its home area to the north of Charlotte.
The developer is eyeing a 2025 groundbreaking for a 72-unit townhome project in Mooresville, which was approved for its rezoning and annexation earlier this month. NorthState is also behind the $60 million-plus Huntersville Town Center project, which is expected to begin delivering later this year.
This article was originally posted in the Charlotte Business Journal.