Cashmere project comes before Town Board next week
Rendering of Cashmere proposal
July 15. Will the Cornelius Town Board approve zoning for a six-story building on Jetton Road extension? A public hearing on the proposed Cashmere condominium/mixed use building will be held on Monday July 21, at 6 pm in Town Hall.
About the site
The project is on the northwest corner of Jetton Road extension and Bethel Church Road. It’s now a vacant lot.
Developers Adam and Iryna Jones had filed the required rezoning paperwork in February asking for a six-story project, called Cashmere, and to change the zoning from Village Center to Conditional. According to county tax records, the property is assessed at $224,000.
Cashmere site plan: Jetton runs diagonally across the lower right
What did the planning board think about the proposal?
A majority took exception to the height, recommending three stories, not six, as requested by the developers. Three of four public speakers at the planning board hearing in June also objected to the height. The board ultimately recommended approval, but with only a three stories.
Is the planning board recommendation a slam dunk?
Not at all. Witness the recent series of hearings on the proposed business center on Bailey Road. The planning board recommended approval, but the town board rejected the proposal unanimously.
About the hearing
The July 21 hearing will give the developers, commissioners and residents an opportunity to discuss the proposal, particularly the six-story height. Following testimony, the commissioners will have several options from which to choose:
1. Approve the rezoning but limit the height to three stories, as recommended by the town planning board and town planning staff.
2. Approve the original application which called for a six story height.
3. Reject the application completely.
4. Continue the hearing to a future date, deferring a final decision.
The July 21 hearing will be part of the commissioners only meeting in July and will take place at Town Hall on Catawba Avenue starting at 6 pm. It will also be live streamed on the town website: www.cornelius.org.
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I am not sure I understand why the height is a problem. I mean there are other structures that are equally as high and it seems like a reasonable height, its not like its 40 stories. Of all the reasons to dislike this project that seems like the least of them.
The Cashmere will be 84 feet in height, which is 42 feet taller than the Greentree building that is directly across the street. Look at all the buildings around the Sherwin-Williams store—2 stories. There are several lots for sale in the immediate area, and if you allow this six story building, you are setting the precedent for Jetton Road extension to become a street full of high rises.
This would be a fantastic enhancement to the community, perfectly complementing the vibrant mixed-use character of the area. The natural slope of the land actually works in favor of the development, as it will allow the building to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding landscape while maintaining an appropriate scale that feels harmonious with the neighborhood. The thoughtful use of the topography demonstrates excellent planning that respects both the environment and the community’s aesthetic.
I’m really excited to see the Cashmere project finally moving forward – this corner has been sitting empty for over 26 years and it’s time for something positive to happen there. The developers have clearly put a lot of thought into creating a mixed-use development that will actually benefit the community with both quality housing and ground-floor retail that people can walk to. I appreciate that they’ve included practical solutions like the underground parking that reduces the overall parking footprint compared to what current zoning would require. While I understand some neighbors have concerns about height, I think we need to balance those concerns with the reality that this is a major intersection that could really benefit from a well-designed landmark development. The architectural renderings look much better than some of the other projects we’ve seen around town, and having sat vacant for so long, this site deserves a quality development that will enhance property values and bring economic activity to the area. I hope the Town Board approves this project and allows Cornelius to move forward with smart growth that aligns with our community vision.