[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6053027,"mediaKeyId","3377206-3b5654d956191926cb0730af7f1bada9","parentId",3377206,"title","Town staff proposes text amendments to restrict vape shops and sweepstakes-style electronic gaming; board asks staff to notify owners","audioSeconds",1673,"startMs",6719000,"endMs",8392000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377206-3b5654d956191926cb0730af7f1bada9&start=6719&end=8392","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377206-3b5654d956191926cb0730af7f1bada9/thumbnail_6719000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6053027/Cornelius/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Town-staff-proposes-text-amendments-to-restrict-vape-shops-and-sweepstakes-style-electronic-gaming-board-asks-staff-to-notify-owners","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053027-966ca7edc6b2d6a056468359420571d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770583230&Signature=V-9OMp8iV6HCTE8QOTNnvzoLfuWI5gH9JcZyhOkg6jZNalm7DWEWYg46-Cjmd7sQ0~rbN~cXSm7-qKJ5S8zoVbMIX1z5CjvGbgz-Th7830CScKA5PjovomUrEptFTdRlJedn-MbW7sp~IHQIsgRQV18dJZl-1eh3nYbCKP8gFZqJcXIUkQ5HmWcoRETlzBVFDdc7sJnj1yfsy57Du13w1CO0Fi0VekLYoHo9TwczjEoz8wKqKxrklpm5s036ssO9nN7PCZd48jhGrNLZrTGgs~4bdl1qoG2e4Ng8TQ5yNQf1foVPDMLUEhugm-KUJOBpOmRv35dI7Rehm4~8F93e~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cornelius Town ","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","Cornelius — Town planning staff outlined draft text amendments on April 21 to limit future locations of vape/tobacco retailers and sweepstakes-style electronic gaming establishments, and the Town Board directed staff to notify affected property and business owners before formal public hearings.

Assistant planning director David Cole said staff proposes adding definitions and use standards to the zoning ordinance to cover two evolving retail types: (1) vape tobacco shops — retail establishments whose primary business is the sale of vape, tobacco or hemp-derived consumable products — and (2) electronic gaming/sweepstakes operations that mimic gambling via games of chance. The draft language would make both uses conditional only, allowed in the Highway Commercial (HC) district with a 1,000‑foot separation from other such uses and from “sensitive uses” such as schools and places of worship.

Why it matters: Town staff described the measures as proactive zoning to prevent clustering of businesses that staff and other municipalities associate with youth exposure and nuisance complaints. Existing businesses would not be automatically forced to close; the amendments would apply to future permits and could limit expansion or location of new outlets.

Key provisions: Cole said the proposal follows peer‑community practice by using a 1,000‑foot buffer as the standard separation distance. The draft also uses a “primarily engages in” formulation so ordinary convenience stores, gas stations or grocery stores that incidentally sell vape or similar items would not be swept into a complete ban. The electronic gaming definition aims to distinguish legitimate arcades and state lottery terminals from sweepstakes-style businesses that operate as game-of-chance retail.

Board discussion and next steps: Several commissioners asked staff to contact the building owner and the operator of an existing town business that sells vape products to explain the pending work and give them an opportunity to comment before the Planning Board hearing. Town legal counsel advised that similar ordinances have been defended in other North Carolina communities when accompanied by public‑health and youth‑protection justifications. Cole proposed a schedule: Planning Board review on May 7 and Town Board consideration (first hearing) on June 2 if the Planning Board forwards a recommendation.

Public-safety context: Police and several commissioners noted citizen complaints about minors entering some establishments; town staff said statutory age restrictions apply at the point of sale and that enforcement would remain with law enforcement for sale-to-minors violations. The board did not adopt text that evening; staff will prepare the formal amendment, notice affected owners, and file the amendment for Planning Board review.

What’s next: Staff will notify affected property owners and business operators and bring the draft text amendment to the May 7 Planning Board meeting for formal recommendation before Town Board action in June.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cornelius NC, Board Meeting 4/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Cornelius — Town planning staff outlined draft text amendments on April 21 to limit future locations of vape/tobacco retailers and sweepstakes-style electronic gaming establishments, and the Town Board directed staff to notify affected property and business owners before formal public hearings.","taxTitle","Cornelius, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina","taxId",62187,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6053032,"Neighbors urge adherence to land-use plan as board reviews 6‑story Cashmere mixed-use proposal on Jeton Road",2578,4047000,6625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377206-3b5654d956191926cb0730af7f1bada9&start=4047&end=6625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377206-3b5654d956191926cb0730af7f1bada9/thumbnail_4047000.jpg","/articles/6053032/Cornelius/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Neighbors-urge-adherence-to-land-use-plan-as-board-reviews-6story-Cashmere-mixed-use-proposal-on-Jeton-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053032-c20d36fc450ef70cf893e44634d84cf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770583230&Signature=lSzxNXg~GHNa8tywTSw-eXSxxAIEM1doXU-KL6D~cVyXk9O1uRgGSmxqzvqhGdfyhm~srH9iGdI4vjBqSTIStFNuzWw4DWQpxQGMYd5VOfOcImGqxpIPZ59jiPa7EFJha4IPnPCEy2zJe5-GIu5wfpc7P1nvoSSIqmDubYy7vwbiwwYm9Gzb65vjkbRoGkCN5Pe9K-OpRqbKcpF0TIDS~NIea-RrkNZDXKYBOMzm22bmr-CULWQ72aGVpmVIgkHzNqTgFgYkICDKXGBSXvvf6EI02OILRE3zisW6aqU9zdNHPpW6LiU6gA1-Kk1pn6xy5O-1pn394FwrbFallkrP5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cornelius — A conditional rezoning request for a six‑story, mixed‑use building called “Cashmere” at the Jeton Road Extension and Bethel Church Road intersection drew detailed scrutiny and multiple speakers at the April 21 Town Board meeting.

Assistant planning director David Cole told the board the project proposes 14 residential units above about 2,500 square feet of commercial space on a parcel just under half an acre. The applicants seek six stories (84 feet measured from the lower Jeton Road frontage) to accommodate a state-of-the-art underground parking garage and residential floors. Cole said the underlying Village Center zoning allows three stories by right and noted the town’s Catawba Mixed Use land‑use designation contemplates a commercial-oriented, mixed-use character but typically at lower heights and densities.

Why it matters: The request would increase permitted height and unit density well above current land‑use plan guidance for much of the corridor. Staff and the Architectural Review Board suggested additional pedestrian‑scale elements on the front façade and greater material variation to soften the ground‑floor appearance. The Town Board must weigh those design and scale concerns against the applicant’s arguments for walkable, mixed‑use development.

Applicant presentation and technical points: Applicant Adam Jones said the parcel has existing infrastructure and that the six‑story design responds to site constraints created when on‑street parking on Jeton was removed. He described an automated high‑speed garage door system and said the plan provides one dedicated underground parking space per condominium and that the site has shared-access easements to additional community parking. Jones said typical unit size would average about 1,750 square feet and price points would be estimated between $800,000 and $1.2 million.

Staff observations and ARB recommendations: Cole noted staff broadly finds the proposed uses consistent with the land‑use plan’s mixed‑use goals but flagged two primary divergences: the proposed density (approximately 14 units on roughly 0.5 acres, roughly 28 units per acre) and the six‑story height, which staff called “far more intense” than the plan’s recommended character (2–4 stories depending on location). The Architectural Review Board recommended more pedestrian‑scale treatments and material variation for the ground‑floor Jeton facade; staff asked the applicant to address parking-lot condition and provide additional open-space representation.

Public comment and neighbors’ concerns: Multiple residents said the corridor and adjacent neighborhoods are characteristically 1–3 stories and asked the board to adhere to the town’s land use plan. Stan Ott and several other speakers said an 84‑foot building would be out of scale and set a precedent that could permit taller buildings nearby. Realtor and property owner Kimberly Thaxton raised legal constraints recorded in subdivision declarations, saying some recorded documents limit heights and require owner approvals for zoning changes; she urged caution. Others asked about garage stacking space, the safety of the Jeton curve with a garage entrance, and whether the building’s ground-floor retail is viable given recent removal of on-street parking.

Next steps: Cole said the project will return to the Planning Board for formal review (staff estimated a June Planning Board date). The Town Board took no final vote at the April 21 meeting; staff and the applicant will refine materials addressing ARB recommendations, parking/staging details, and open-space calculations before Planning Board consideration.","Cornelius — A conditional rezoning request for a six‑story, mixed‑use building called “Cashmere” at the Jeton Road Extension and Bethel Church Road intersection drew detailed scrutiny and multiple speakers at the April 21 Town Board meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6053037,"Town board hears opposition, staff questions over Griffin family’s Sunset Cove wedding venue proposal",2624,1377000,4001000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377206-3b5654d956191926cb0730af7f1bada9&start=1377&end=4001","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377206-3b5654d956191926cb0730af7f1bada9/thumbnail_1377000.jpg","/articles/6053037/Cornelius/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Town-board-hears-opposition-staff-questions-over-Griffin-familys-Sunset-Cove-wedding-venue-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053037-09979a0e6ff8490bdb95632c125761ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770583230&Signature=eIf7651ReMGo1v69lEO9isFRw7bln-Xc9InOymFirgAJFrrX0Z23FXXUwq9lwal1Xf1nkWTAVKVT9OAD0jFc0OAyH7IWVc5-AB5kfZ4c0VAHG0-UASOoeCys1vParV1b4NVOBYgaXMTcsVSU7MWyYlZQkDQKtw65lxdAZ94fKc9gDqsV970GZbwQu1mzAcjie~tu8VwT4Yq6s6SY171bXZLB6n86GdBEotTS~Cj0-gJJW1DmZxlVBqcgnIhg2UBFWWc9Qg4kQin0bO68ZaXynMMaT2iPE6f0NKM3W03APpfLbnSfKj7tN0dOeIHpe2ZFRGGBqZgJjuCKZ0XFd9ITmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cornelius — The Town Board received a preliminary staff presentation and public comment on April 21 about REZ-225 “Sunset Cove,” a conditional rezoning request from the Griffin family to convert portions of a private waterfront property on Nance Road into a permanent 6,000-square-foot event venue with a 103-space parking lot and two retained homes.

Senior planner Aaron Tucker told the board the site is about 8.5 acres across four parcels currently zoned General Residential (GR). He said the applicants are seeking conditional zoning so the town and the applicant can limit uses with a site-specific plan. “Conditional zoning … is very site specific, what you see is what you get,” Tucker said.

Neighbors and public commenters raised traffic and parking as the principal concerns. Kenneth Miller, who said he lives on Nance Road, described repeated incidents of vehicles turning around on residential lawns and said the neighborhood already struggles on busy days. “We’ve had people spin around on our lawn… The police department have done a hell of a job. They are there from 6 in the morning till nighttime…and they can’t keep up with it,” Miller said. Several other speakers said sightlines and the dead-end character of Nance Road make turnarounds hazardous and that the proposed parking could be visible from adjacent homes.

Why it matters: The request would introduce a commercial event facility adjacent to Ramsey Creek Park, a 43-acre park that residents say already draws heavy weekend traffic. Because the applicant is seeking conditional zoning, the Town Board and later the Planning Board would attach conditions (limits on uses, parking materials, buffers, traffic controls) that would travel with an approval.

What staff and the applicant proposed: Tucker outlined proposed staff directions including confirmation on parking-lot materials, required perimeter buffers and landscape berms along Nance Road, and a review with NCDOT of driveway stacking to prevent queuing onto Nance Road. He said staff expects to work with the applicant to place conditions limiting vehicle stacking and adding directional signage. The applicant, Mike Griffin, said the family intends a limited number of events — staff and the applicant discussed a working figure of “up to 12 events per year” for large events plus smaller gatherings — and that they will hire a traffic engineer to design the parking and stacking.

Applicants’ case: Applicant Mike Griffin said the venue is intended to preserve a family homestead and be used “on a limited basis” to fund upkeep. He described the site’s heavy forested park buffer and said the pavilion would be oriented so sound carries toward the park rather than neighboring peninsulas. Griffin said the family would consider notification processes for neighbors, hire traffic control for large events and would be open to conditions tying future ownership changes to resets of approvals.

Staff direction and next steps: No final decision was made. Staff told the board it will continue to review technical details and recommended the applicants address buffering, paving, ADA upgrades to existing homes if changed, and stacking measures. The hearing was advisory: the project will go to the Planning Board (staff indicated a likely June–July hearing window) before returning to the Town Board for any final rezoning action.

Community concerns and unresolved issues: Public commenters repeatedly asked for specifics that remain open: a final cap on events, whether parking will be paved or gravel, precise driveway widening and stacking dimensions beyond the planner’s comments about widening to a 20-foot minimum, and whether the county park authority will coordinate on signage or joint circulation. Neighbors said they fear property-value impacts and increased noise or late-night activity.

What’s next: The applicant will respond to staff comments and supply a traffic analysis, refined site and building plans, and any proposed event limits. Planning Board review is anticipated in the early summer; the Town Board will consider a formal rezoning request later if Planning Board and staff recommendations are completed.","Cornelius — The Town Board received a preliminary staff presentation and public comment on April 21 about REZ-225 “Sunset Cove,” a conditional rezoning request from the Griffin family to convert portions of a private waterfront property on Nance Road into a permanent 6,000-square-foot event venue with a 103-space parking lot and two retained homes.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6053022,"Votes at a glance: Town board extends 2018 GO bond, approves annexation and capital transfers",388,6660000,7048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377206-3b5654d956191926cb0730af7f1bada9&start=6660&end=7048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377206-3b5654d956191926cb0730af7f1bada9/thumbnail_6660000.jpg","/articles/6053022/Cornelius/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Town-board-extends-2018-GO-bond-approves-annexation-and-capital-transfers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053022-3535beca7ab2ac00eec3b9deafa49290/orig.mp4?Expires=1770583230&Signature=X8D6qcM2kAuYryy6meWGNWmBuvsQ~NtQhd2TVq0OQ8lK87JK5DQkL5B6m2scX262taTJVNKytaiu5YyRoF98tlXj1wfvO~CDGPrLR27ebQjXsz5i2X-R20CtHUNGffRaWNAFoHCNgqFA8qaGceA7Eq73aUtcBYKV6vbdOEVHTNXle6hU8GmBgCzBfE9M6xtgrR4LG82G0H8-VLrgv~Jox8wzGi1w4E54HD7LvmH5A2g~CwxGz8Z1UIZvvS2ZW3BHwW91QSxcocAxliY2bJ0rZMBWvG1x7fwtKlQtK7jvlmuTfMIMm6x9hbQk1TB0FDJxFcazgQvVYXaaWPDptsxoug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cornelius — The Town Board recorded multiple formal actions on April 21 related to financing and municipal boundaries. Key outcomes:

2018 GO bond extension
The board adopted an extension order resolution to extend the maturity of the 2018 general obligation bond from seven to ten years. Staff reported that the Local Government Commission approved the extension on April 1 and that the order takes effect 30 days after publication. The board voted to adopt the extension resolution; the motion passed with the standard \"all in favor\" voice vote recorded as \"Motion carries.\" (Transcript records no roll-call tally.)

Annexation — Mays Meadow (12411 and 12415 Mays Road)
The board approved an ordinance annexing 12411 and 12415 Mays Road (the Mays Meadow community) into town limits. Staff said the annexation covers approximately 92.58 acres, is contiguous to town limits, and was a condition of prior rezoning approvals. The ordinance passed by voice vote.

Capital project ordinance and transfer — Infrastructure fund
The board approved a capital project ordinance establishing an Infrastructure Capital Project Fund and authorized a transfer of $11,335,980 from the Transportation Capital Reserve Fund to that new infrastructure fund. Staff said the transfer represents the FY24 balance in the transportation reserve and will fund multi-year infrastructure design and construction projects. Both the capital project ordinance and the transfer ordinance were approved by voice vote.

Consent agenda and minutes
The board approved the consent agenda (items included a county emergency operations plan update, tax refunds of $11,009.77 and an appointment to the library endowment committee) and approved the minutes of the April 7 meeting.

How the board voted
Each item above was adopted by affirmative voice vote; the transcript records the chair calling for \"All in favor, say aye\" and then \"Motion carries\" but does not show a roll-call tally or recorded no votes. Where specific mover/second names were not provided in the record, the motions are recorded here as \"mover: not specified; second: not specified.\"","At the April 21 meeting the Cornelius Town Board approved extension of the 2018 general obligation bond from seven to ten years, annexed Mays Meadow parcels, and adopted capital project and transfer ordinances moving $11,335,980 into an infrastructure capital project fund; the consent agenda and minutes were also approved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town staff proposes text amendments to restrict vape shops and sweepstakes-style electronic gaming; board asks staff to notify owners

Neighbors urge adherence to land-use plan as board reviews 6‑story Cashmere mixed-use proposal on Jeton Road

Town board hears opposition, staff questions over Griffin family’s Sunset Cove wedding venue proposal

Votes at a glance: Town board extends 2018 GO bond, approves annexation and capital transfers