Controversy surrounds downtown Huntersville development project

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (WBTV) - A Huntersville development project meant to revitalize the downtown area is causing controversy.

Rezoning documents from 2021 displayed at Monday’s town commissioner pre-meeting show a plan to allocate 12,000 square feet for commercial use.

That would be for restaurants, bars, and retail, in addition to a number of apartments, town homes and single-family homes.

Also Read: Development exploding in Huntersville: fastest growing town in Mecklenburg County

However, fine print showed an emphasis on residential space in the project and a dedication to only 7,500 square feet for commercial use.

Mayor Melinda Bales and Commissioner Lance Munger, who seconded the motion to approve the project, said they weren’t notified of the changes and no new vote was taken.

“Now that you take a step back...of course [there’s] frustration,” said Bales.

“I would say I was a little angry, I won’t lie about that.”

Bales said they ultimately wouldn’t have voted yes if they knew about the discrepancies.

The Huntersville planning coordinator noted the developer, NorthState, did include that information within the agreement.

WBTV reached out to NorthState, but did not hear back.

Should the company have clarified? Should commissioners have asked for more details, or looped in legal?

Town leaders are now asking all of those questions so this kind of mix-up never happens again.

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