Politics

Well, the “McMansions” have officially arrived in the old Belmont city limits. The newly re-zoned/de-zoned property at the “Point” of North Main and North Central has its first of three, large, and some might say, out of place, homes facing the Sacred Heart Campus.

If you remember, a group led by Griffin Keel, sought to rezone/de-zone the former Lineberger property. The first step was to remove the “Historical Property” designation from the 1920’s-era mansion, then rezone the property to accomodate up to four lots on the remaining “empty” portion closest to the “point”.

Property tax hungry city council members quietly and quickly agreed to the deal and plan for “new homes”. Through this spring and summer, more than 40 huge 100+ year old oak, poplar, and maple trees were removed to accomodate the homes of the new water-users and (hopefully) contributing community members.

The older homes in the neighborhood, most dating from the 1930’s and older, are large and welcoming, but neither pretentious or out-of-place. There are just a few empty lots along Main Street and Central. We hope they don’t meet this fate.

McMansions occur when people feel the need to fill-in established neighborhoods with oversized homes for their oversized “need”. Your home may be worth a lot, but beware, “a lot” means something completely different to the carpetbagger developers who have discovered our fair town.

BELMONT

A public hearing on the $12 million parks and recreation bond referendum is Aug. 14 at City Hall at 7 p.m.

In November, voters will decide whether to let the city borrow $12 million for park projects.

Developing the riverfront park is part of that package, along with building a skate park and a 30-acre athletic park; turning about 28 acres of donated land into trails for walking and biking; upgrading existing parks; buying land for new parks and adding mini parks.

Growth strategy for Belmont discussed for more than a year

JOE DEPRIEST

jdepriest@charlotteobserver.com

The talk has gone on for more than a year.

Now, Belmont’s new comprehensive land-use plan is coming down to the wire.

On Tuesday, the City Council is expected to vote on what has been described by leaders as a road map for future land use in the fast-growing city.

“The real challenge is that the plan doesn’t end up on a shelf gathering dust,” said councilman Irl Dixon. “We want to make sure it’ll be used and looked at and enforced.”

Mayor Pro Tem Charlie Flowers still hadn’t made up his mind on how he’ll vote.

“I have some reservations about some of it,” he said. “I’m afraid it could be used to discriminate against the poor and middle class. I’ll be studying and praying over this all weekend.”

The plan was drafted by HNTB, a national consulting firm with an office in Charlotte.

City Manager Barry Webb said the land-use plan cost $118,000 and a separate transportation plan $25,000. The city got $22,950 in state money for the transportation part, he said.

To get input from residents, Belmont and HNTB held three public forums before a public hearing in July at the Gaston College East Campus and Textile Technology Center.

Residents have praised the plan’s vision, but asked how it will address issues beyond Belmont’s control, such as crowded Gaston County schools and congested state roads.

A few also have asked whether the plan is focused on creating a bedroom community for newcomers instead of preserving small-town character for longtime residents.

The plan designates several areas for certain types of land use.

For example, Main Street and adjacent streets should be mostly retail and community buildings, while Wilkinson Boulevard should be a commercial center, according to the plan.

Dixon said the land will be a guide as Belmont continues to grow.

“Nobody will ever be completely satisfied with it,” he said. “But without the plan there would be chaos.”

The Belmont City Council meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 115 N. Main St. For information, call 704-825-5586.

source article: http://www.charlotte.com/gaston/story/224465.html