Thanks to you over 550 have signed this petition to stop the rezoning of 36 acres along Bailey Road. Consider contacting the Town Elected Officials individually at https://www.cornelius.org/218/Elected-Officials or as a group at electedofficials@cornelius.org

The petition to NOT approve this rezoning for the Cornelius Business Park (REZ 01-23) would seem to be in alignment with some current Town Board members who made a pledge, when running for office to "NOT vote to change land currently designated as Rural Preservation to allow more density or change the character of these areas." Apparently, the word "designate" does not mean "zoned," but refers to "planned," as in the recently adopted Land Use Plan. This is, after-all, a "rezoning," not a "re-planning." So...the distinction would be entirely lost to most everybody.  The second half of the pledge, "...to allow more density or change the character of these areas," is also apparently disregarded in the "pledge." If it "walks like a duck," it is what many consider a broken pledge. It is not too late, however, to persuade, civilly, reasonably and with respect, Town Board members who have not made up their minds by send them an email before their decision on July 17, 6:00 pm at Cornelius Town Hall, OR plan on speaking in the citizens comments section of the meeting.

Points to consider:

• Fit: We would never build a home in an industrial area or an area with 5 industrial flex buildings totaling 198,720 square feet. The project is completely out-of-character with the area's recreational, rural, educational and residential nature. Likewise, this project would make its home in our area (the East side of Bailey Road) which is characterized by rural farmlands, a beautiful community park, two excellent schools and five neighborhoods (2 are senior over 55 communities). It may be a fine project but it is in the wrong place and out-of-character.
• Traffic: Claims of adding "only" 12% MORE traffic is like saying our quality of life is "only" diminished by 12%. There are other choices - better choices that actually complement the park, schools, neighborhoods in this area.
• Proximity to signaled intersection: The proximity of this site to the Bailey Road/115 intersection is actually praised by a few as a "feature"- it is a bug. It congests the Park entrance, the intersection and the line-of-sight issue (two hills) entering and exiting the Park is dangerous.
• Developer Contributions: Some have talked about the "contribution" by this developer to help the Town build the "Zion Avenue Connector" to go through their proposed site. The Town just approved an expensive Feasibility Study to assess this "Zion Avenue Connector" and determine the best congestion solution. Their "contribution" predetermines that solution and forces the alignment onto Bailey Road adding MORE traffic. It defeats the purpose of the $250,000 Study.
• Jobs: What really is the financial benefit of 300 jobs if they do not live, work or play here or pay taxes in Cornelius? Jobs are good but not at the expense of the Park, the Schools and Neighborhoods in the area. There are other places for those jobs.
• Tax Benefit: While the appraised tax value and subsequent revenue to Cornelius from this project has yet to be determined, the same may be said for the expenses to the Town in building or fixing roads to support it. The fairly meager tax revenue versus the fairly high level of Town expenses will not support a "tax benefit" claim.
• Safety: There are many other unsafe things that accrue to the siting of the project; air and water quality issues from 88 diesel truck trips a day, 960 other vehicle trips per day; septic fields that may leak into streams, safety issues related to pedestrians crossing a busy road.
• Greenway: The proposed greenway - a concrete walkway through the industrial flex space buildings is not a "green" way. It also presents safety issues for children and adults wanting to use it from the Park and School side. It stops on their site and is not connected to any Town greenway.
  

  We sincerely hope that the Town Board will NOT support this rezoning which was NOT approved by the Planning Board and is NOT supported by the outpouring of petitioners