Various updates from Tuesday's Davidson Board meeting

Davidson's monthly 4th Tuesday work sessions were chock full of information. The below content provided by Melissa Atherton of Davidson with just slight editing. Stay tuned. More stories to come from this hot-button issue packed meeting.

CMS Bonds

Former CMS Superintendent, Ann Clark, and current CMS Superintendent, Clayton Wilcox, provided an update on the bond package that will be on the ballot November 7th. They made the following case for the bonds:

1. The projects identified in the bond package demonstrate two billion dollars in need.
2. CMS scored every school on a rubric and identified the 29 highest scoring projects.
3. Since 1997, District 1 has opened four new high schools (Hopewell, Vance, Mallard Creek and Hough).
4. District 1 will be addressed in the next round of bonds in four to five years.
5. Other districts have shown support for District 1 in the past.

Clark and Wilcox addressed population growth due to rapid development in District 1. In four to five years, CMS plans to provide $15 million to Huntersville Elementary, build a new school to relieve Hough High, build a new elementary school to relieve Blythe, create an addition at Bailey Middle, and invest in Trillium Springs Montessori.

Finding land for schools is a challenge, and CMS is interested in land swapping and partnering with Parks and Recreation. An elementary school requires 12-15 acres, middle school requires 35-40 acres and high school requires 58-60 acres. The Rural Area Plan in Davidson will create a great deal of growth and need for schools. Clark encouraged town planners to work with developers and CMS ahead of development. Wilcox stated that solutions to overcrowding include year-round schooling, portables and early lunches.

At the 6pm meeting Davidson Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution supporting the CMS bonds. The Cornelius and Huntersville Boards as well as the Lake Norman Chamber have previoisly opposed them.

Davidson GO Bonds

Town Manager Jamie Justice provided information on the bond package. There are three components and citizens can vote to approve or disapprove them individually: $6 million funds mobility, $5 funds greenways, $4 million funds parks. Commissioner Beth Cashion said that the funds are like a “line of credit.” She also added that it would not be the current Board that would spend the money, but future elected officials.

(Editor's Note on Bonds - Official resources are not allowed to be used to promote or oppose bond referendums. However, officials are allowed to "educate" the public on what the bonds will do. What one person sees as "education" another might see as "promotion", but these kinds of discussions and resolutions are within bounds.)

Livability Board

Livability Chair, Marty Metzker, provided updates and presented the biggest issue, Section 9 of the Town Ordinance. Update #1) Bailey Springs plans are getting finalized. There are drainage issues. There is a formal bid process in November and the project should be operational in spring 2018. Ipdate #2) This Saturday, 10/28, 10 am to 1 pm, there will be an inauguration for the amphitheater at Roosevelt Wilson Park.

Board members, David Cable and Rebecca Chaffin, addressed the need to rework Section 9 of the Planning Ordinance due to complexity. They would like to define the goal of the tree canopy, require good street trees, and update the town commitment to street trees.

North Meck Rec Center

Jim Garges presented plans for the North Meck Rec Center, one of four in Mecklenburg County. The funds are available as part of the $250 million bond package approved in 2008. The $40+ million recreation center will be built on 40 acres of land at 18121 Old Statesville Road in Cornelius. The 100k+ sqft recreation center is family-focused and for all citizens to enjoy. Features will possibly include: competitive pool, recreation pool, indoor track, basketball courts, senior center, rentable space, arts, cooking, dance, and cultural space. There will be room for outdoor recreation as well. The project will be approved on November 8th and construction will begin as early as Fall 2019. Anticipated opening is Winter 2021. There are three Davidson Livability Board members advising the North Meck Rec Center project.