Cornelius businesses and homeowners with security alarms have been slow to register them, Cornelius officials said this week, and that could mean penalties when the town begins enforcing its new false alarm ordinance next week. Read the full story

The Cornelius Town Board is expected to vote Monday, May 20, on a rezoning to allow a single family home off John Connor Road. The board also plans a public hearing on the 2014 budget, and depending on public feedback, commissioners could decide to vote on the plan afterward. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

After a delay in setting up a tracking and billing system, Cornelius now plans to ask residents and businesses to begin registering their security alarm on March 1, and police will start enforcing the town’s new false-alarm policy on June 1, chief Bence Hoyle says. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

Cornelius expects to begin registering commercial and residential security alarms Feb. 1 and could begin issuing fines May 1 for excessive false alarms, police Chief Bence Hoyle told the Town Board Monday night. Commissioners adopted the new rules in October to deal with a rising number of false alarms. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

Cornelius businesses and residents will have to get town permits for security alarms beginning next year, and the town will be able to issue fines false alarms under new rules commissioners adopted Monday. The board voted 4-0 for the rules, which are aimed at helping police cut down on a rising number of false alarms.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the board voted 4-0 (with Commissioner John Bradford absent) to amend the land development code to clarify where and how automobile dealerships can expand. And the board also unanimously agreed to ban donation boxes, except at businesses where the main activity is accepting donations for charity.

Commissioners put off votes on a proposed street and pedestrian lighting policy and on revisions to a slew of outdated ordinances, saying they wanted more time to study those issues. Read the full story

The Cornelius Town Board meets Monday, Oct. 15, with an agenda that includes minor updates to several ordinances, several board appointments, a presentation on a new traffic model for town, and consideration of new alarm system rules and street light policy. The board also plans a closed session to consider real estate and contract matters. Read the full story

Ratio Architects of Raleigh proposes this designing for the planned new interchange at Exit 28.

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

Cornelius Commissioners on Monday approved money to create the town’s first police canine patrol in memory, a move that will end reliance on other area departments when dogs are needed in an investigation. The board also gave the go-ahead for the next phase of design enhancements for the planned new interchange at I-77 Exit 28. And it approved new traffic restrictions on Bailey Springs Drive near W.A. Hough High School, in response to neighbors’ concerns about chaos as parents drop off students every morning.

The actions came at the board’s regular meeting Monday at Town Hall. The board also put off discussion of a new false-alarm ordinance, saying it wanted to give residents and businesses a chance to comment on the proposal. The new policy, proposed by police chief Bence Hoyle last month, is aimed at reducing time-consuming false alarms. It would require security-alarms to be registered and calls for fines for homes or businesses with repeat false alarms. Read the full story

Gary Knight (left) and Police Maj. David King (right) were among those honored in ceremonies at the Town Board Monday night. That’s Mayor Jeff Tarte making a point about Mr. Knight. Major King was given a case to hold his badge and handgun. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

A typical false alarm sounding at a business or residence can occupy police for 45 minutes, potentially keeping them from other calls, Police Chief Bence Hoyle told Cornelius Commissioners on Monday. With the number of false alarms in town now topping 2,400 annually, the Town Board agreed with the chief’s proposal to consider fines and other measures to battle the problem.

At Monday’s meeting at Town Hall, the board also allocated money to buy new police cars and a street sweeper, and to begin design work on the Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-77 Exit 28. And commissioners authorized Town Manager Anthony Roberts to begin recruiting an economic development coordinator, who at least initially would be an outside contractor. Read the full story