Griffin family proposing event venue, family compound on Nantz
Roughly 20,000 sq. ft. of event space in existing homes | Photo: Griffin Family
Dec. 20. By Dave Yochum. Members of the Griffin family, former owners of the Griffin Brothers Tires, Wheels & Auto Repair chain, have unveiled plans to turn lakefront property on Nantz Road into an events venue. The project, which would need approval from the town, includes three smaller residences on a separate and adjacent parcel where the Griffins would live.
Right now the larger property is well-known for the two stately mansions just past Ramsey Creek Park, one the home of patriarch Larry Griffin Sr. and the other Larry Griffin Jr. and their families. Mike Griffin and his family would occupy the third home proposed for the property.
The Griffins hope to downsize and build much smaller homes, separated by a gate from the two mansions and a large field that will be used for event parking.
The property in its entirety consists of 12 acres, most likely the largest waterfront parcel in North Mecklenburg that is in private hands.
The Griffins: Larry Jr., Larry Sr., and Mike
“The goal is to keep the property in the family for another couple of generations,” Mike Griffin said.
Details
The smaller homes, in the 3,000- to 3,500 square foot range, establsh a family compound adjacent to the event venue which would be used on an occasional basis, he explained.
A tent suitable for outdoor weddings would be located between the two mansions, each of which is in the neighborhood of 10,000 square feet. Both are assessed at more than $4 million by Mecklenburg County.
Two existing homes formerly owned by the Baker family would be torn down and replaced with the three smaller homes in the family compound.
Key points | Source: Griffin Family
The proposal was presented at yesterday’s Pre-Development Review Committee meeting at Town Hall.
Mayor Woody Washam called it a “fabulous proposal.”
“We had discussed how this area could be developed and to see the plans for this family compound and events venue come together is pretty cool. I don’t see this having a major impact on the neighborhood,” he said.
Mike Griffin said they will be in contact with neighbors to explain their plans. “The event venue is pointed toward the 43-acre Ramsey Creek Park which provides tremendous sound and visual buffering,” he said.
What’s next
After possible revisions, the proposal is expected to begin the review process starting with a community meeting next year.
Griffin family businesses include Griffin Brothers Acquisitions, Pine Island Country Club and landfills as well as ZoomUp Investments, an enterprise located on Liverpool that holds a 10 percent to 15 percent stake in small growth companies.
Event space and future homes | Source: Griffin Family
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This is a fantastic idea!
The property boasts an exceptional water shoreline and breathtaking views. What a wonderful opportunity to share the lake life experience and create much-needed venue space.
This proposal has the potential to transform this property into the premier event location on the lake! You can trust “the brothers” (all in good fun) to develop an exceptional concept and execute it with top-grade implementation.
We are lucky to have families like the Griffin Family in our town.
You must be investing in this proposal to be so above and beyond complimentary.
Deanna- My name is Mike Griffin and I’m part of the Griffin Brothers family. Joe has zero investment in this project or any of our businesses. There is no way he knew about our plans until this article. I haven’t talk to Joe in over a a year but I think very highly of his character, his entrepreneurial career, and all the work he does to help small to medium sized family businesses.
What a great idea.. and the preservation of the land for the family as well. This is much better than selling it to a developer who would put at least 24 homes there.
This is going to be awful for people who live across the lake from the “ Griffin Compound.” When there is an event at Ramsey Creek with music it’s awful for everyone across the lake. You should be well aware that sound carries across water . Its so loud and intrusive we hear it in the Peninsula . We live on Lake Norman for peace and quiet , laid back life style. Don’t make it into an amusement park so the Griffins can make more money. Quit twisting it like it’s good for Cornelius. Wouldn’t that be considered renting a house on the lake? Is that what we want on the lake? Is that how we protect the neighboring properties?
Deanna- My family has lived on this property for 22-years and we are well aware of the annual Ramsey Creek Park events that create noise pollution across the lake. I would invite you to take a tour of our property and our plans in hopes you’ll see that our plans are totally different than those type events. Furthermore, we plan to build our retirement homes adjacent to the homes in question so we will be highly motivated to make sure the private events do not create a nuisance. Please contact me to further discuss and setup a time for a tour.
This seems like an effort by a wealthy and established family to take advantage of their local network and the desire for approval from local politicians and business leaders so they can establish their own personal family compound by distracting the town with the “event” space. What happens if they decide not to hold events there? It’s literally being referred to as a “family compound”. Let’s not confuse philanthropy or land preservation for what this is. Will the town allow me or other citizens without the same family name to obtain approval to turn multiple properties into my own “compound” if I say that I’ll eventually hold weddings there?
I completely agree with you Matt. Need to start a petition to stop this proposal. Also, look into if or what politician have investments in any of the Griffin Brothers many businesses they own. Sound carries across the lake people across from the Griffins hear everything that goes on over there but Ramsey Creek. I can’t imagine having bands and DJ’s there every weekend . What about the noise ordinance in a residential area?
Deanna- I’ll be glad to share our more than 60-year history of our family business and offer 100% transparency regarding the investment structure behind the parcels we own on Nantz Road. The short answer is that it is 100% family owned and our town leaders have zero involvement. We also didn’t contribute to any campaigns running for the Mayor’s office nor Town Board.
100 % agree. The wealthy have found another way to get richer off the tax payers!
Donn- My name is Mike Griffin and I’m part of the Griffin Brothers family. I’m not sure how to address your statement except to say that property tax payments are public record through Mecklenburg County’s website. There are six parcels that make up our Nantz Road property and you’ll see that we have significant annual tax bills. I’ll be glad to give you a tour of our property and show you our plans along with our thoughts on why it will be a good thing for Cornelius. Also note that these plans will increase our tax bills. Please contact me to further discuss and setup a time for a tour.
Matt- My name is Mike Griffin and I’m part of the Griffin Brothers family. I’m not sure how to address your statement except to say that I’ll be glad to give you a tour of our property and show you our plans along with our thoughts on why it will be a good thing for Cornelius. Please contact me to further discuss and setup a time for a tour.
This would be inappropriate use for this land. This is a residential neighborhood. Yes, there is a sound barrier of trees on the northeast side but there is nothing to buffer the neighbors in the other directions.
This is a neighborhood!
* Justin- My name is Mike Griffin and I’m part of the Griffin Brothers family. My parents have lived in their home for 22-years and I think my brother’s family has lived in their home for 14 years. I would invite you to take a tour of our property and our plans in hopes you’ll see that our plans will not create any nuisance for our neighbors on Nantz Road nor across the lake in The Peninsula. The 43-acre park creates the perfect buffer. Furthermore, we plan to build retirement homes for our three families adjacent to the homes in question so we will be highly motivated to make sure the private events do not create any sound, noise, and traffic nuisances. Please contact me to further discuss and setup a time for a tour.
I’ve suggested to a handful of folks with concerns to contact me to get more information or take a tour of our property. The site’s spam filter kicks out my reply if I include my contact info so I will post it by spelling out my email address. You can contact me at:
mike at griffinbros dot com
We will be contacting our neighbors on Nantz Road to offer the same in the coming weeks.