Town Manager Anthony Roberts will present his 2015-16 budget to commissioners at their meeting Monday night, May 18, a $19.7 million spending plan that keeps property taxes unchanged. The board also is expected to vote on a resolution to issue $9.9 million in bonds for streets and parks, which voters approved in 2013.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the board will hold a public hearing and vote on an annexation request for the proposed Avery Park subdivision, off Bailey Road. Commissioners also will vote on a paving contract to extend the parking lot and improve trails at Bailey Road Park.  Read the full story

Kiwanis Club members present a $10,000 check to mayor Chuck Travis for the Smithville Splashpad (Jonathan Cox/CorneliusNews.net)

By JONATHAN COX
CorneliusNews.net

Town commissioners voted in favor of a $132,000 contract with consulting firm Wirth & Associates to design a 1.6 mile greenway that will stretch from Westmoreland Road to Catawba Avenue. Commissioners also received a $10,000 check from the Kiwanis Club, the club’s first contribution toward the construction of a “splashpad” at Smithville Park. Also this week, Police Chief Bence Hoyle announced the police department’s newest equipment acquisition – bulletproof vests for its K9 units. Read on for details. Read the full story

[UPDATE 2:40pm 10/17/14: The town has added a presentation by CLT’s Aviation Director to the agenda for the pre-meeting]

Cornelius commissioners meet again Monday, Oct. 20, when they’ll consider approving contracts with engineering firms to design greenway extensions and improvements to Cornelius Elementary School Neighborhood Park. The Town Board also will consider extending a public hearing on reducing the regulatory requirements for drive-throughs in certain zoning districts, as well as vote on a budget amendment to help fund Safe Alliance’s victim advocacy program. Read on for details.  Read the full story

By JONATHAN COX
CorneliusNews.net

Town commissioners on Monday approved draft contracts with engineering firms for several 2015 road bonds projects. They also heard a presentation about transforming West Catawba Avenue into a “superstreet,” a road design that the Department of Transportation says is safer and faster than roads with traditional intersections. During the citizens’ comments section, a concerned citizen said drivers stopping on Bailey Road to drop off children are creating a traffic hazard. Read on for details. Read the full story

Current zoning regulations prevent microbreweries from being constructed in any of the gray areas in this map of Cornelius. Zoning changes approved Monday removed some restrictions, treating microbreweries like other restaurants. (Jonathan Cox/CorneliusNews.net)

By JONATHAN COX
CorneliusNews.net

Cornelius commissioners took a step Monday to make the town more friendly to microbreweries, voting to remove restrictions on building microbreweries next to residential areas, churches, or schools.  Board members said they hope the relaxed requirements will attract brewers, making craft beer one of Cornelius’ main attractions.

“This could be something that puts Cornelius on the map,” said commissioner John Bradford.  Read the full story

At Monday’s Town Board meeting, commissioners will consider revising the town’s zoning ordinance to eliminate regulations that require at least 300 feet between microbreweries and residential areas or schools.  Commissioners also are scheduled to vote to set up capital budgets for $6.6 million in road bonds projects and $3.5 million in parks & recreation projects, both of which would be funded by a proposed 2015 bond package. Read on for details. Read the full story

By JONATHAN COX
CorneliusNews.net

There was standing room at Town Hall Monday night as residents came to voice their opinions for and against the town’s long-delayed sidewalk construction project on Torrence Chapel Road. Meanwhile, commissioners are moving forward with plans to issue $7.48 million in bonds for a variety of road projects – but without the controversial Floral Lane extension to US 21.

Town officials also approved the Parks and Recreation department’s recommendations on how to allocate $3.4 million of the 2015 bonds package, discussed the Comprehensive Bike Plan, and considered recommendations for improving traffic flow at Exit 28 in preparation for the beginning of the CMS school year.

Read the full story

Map shows location of proposed connection between Floral Lane and US 21.

By JONATHAN COX
CorneliusNews.net

Commissioners on Monday continued their discussion of how to allocate bond money for road projects. Town Manager Anthony Roberts presented recommendations for multiple intersection improvements and street extensions.  Floral Lane residents were there to protest the town’s proposal to connect Floral Lane to US21/Statesville Road, citing concerns that the extension would send heavy traffic from US21 through their quiet residential neighborhood.

At Monday’s meeting the town also discussed the NCDOT’s plan to widen Torrence Chapel Road, where work is slated to begin as early as the beginning of September. Commissioners also considered proposals to resurface or add sidewalks to several roads in the area, and unanimously approved the purchase of four new police cars. Read on for details. Read the full story