We, the undersigned residents and supporters of the Mayes Road, Davidson, Cornelius, and Lake
Norman communities, respectfully urge the Town of Cornelius to deny the rezoning request for the
proposed “Sam Furr Road Inn” hotel, cottages, and spa development.
This project seeks to rezone a 6.3 acre parcel at the corner of Mayes Road and Sam Furr Road
(NC73) from Rural Preservation (RP) to Conditional Zoning (CZ) in order to build: A 55 key hotel,
10 rental cottages, a commercial spa, a large parking area, and a single entrance on Mayes Road.This development is incompatible with the Rural Preservation district and poses significant risks to
safety, the environment, and the character of our community.

Why We Oppose This Rezoning
1. Traffic Safety Risks Mayes Road is a narrow rural road not designed for commercial traffic. NC73
already carries 20,000+ vehicles per day and leftturn movements onto Mayes Road are dangerous
and may be restricted with the widening project.
2. Violates Rural Preservation Zoning Hotels, motels, spas, and commercial lodging are prohibited
in RP zoning. Using Conditional Zoning to bypass these protections sets a dangerous precedent.
3. Environmental Damage The project requires clearing 6.3 acres of mature vegetation, destroying
wildlife habitat and increasing stormwater runoff into the Rocky River and Clarke Creek watersheds.
4. Governance and Representation Concerns The property lies within the Cornelius ETJ, meaning
Cornelius controls zoning — but affected residents cannot vote for Cornelius officials.
5. Developer Pivot Raises Transparency Questions In 2025, the developer proposed a 16 lot
residential subdivision. Within months, the plan shifted to a 55key hotel + cottages + spa.
What We Are Asking
We respectfully request that the Town of Cornelius:
1. Deny the rezoning request
2. Protect the Rural Preservation district
3. Require a full Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA)
4. Release all communications related to this rezoning
5. Engage meaningfully with affected residents, including those in the ET

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appropriate, and consistent with the Town’s own policies.