Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Take 2: New Lake Davidson development in early planning stages

aShortChronicle caught up with Eric Wood of Nest Homes on Monday to get the lowdown on the story erroneously reported here last week.  That story was regarding a new development on the shores of Lake Davidson - or for those who don't like the "Lake Davidson" moniker, "that portion of Lake Norman separated from the main lake by I77 and connected through a big pipe that partly abuts the Town of Davidson".

For the sake of brevity, we'll just call it the possible new project on Lake Davidson.  The project's name is The Province at Lake Norman.

According to Wood, there is in fact a project in the works, but it is in the earliest of planning stages. There have been a few focus groups, and they have been well attended for a project that would be something like The Pines, as in a facility including health care services for tenants in the 70+ age group - mostly 75-85.  Phase 1 of the project would include a 50,000 sqft Clubhouse and Wellness Center along with condo style units numbering somewhere around 200.  The project called "The Province at Lake Norman" would differ from "The Pines" in that it would be run on an equity model rather than having an entry fee and regular payments.  Wood said it would be more like "The Cyprus" of Charlotte in that respect.

When asked what "Phase 1" looked like compared to a full buildout, Wood said full build out would be somewhere between 3 and 5 units per acre for the 100 acre project in a mix of multi-family and single family cottages.  Per Wood, that's significantly less than what could have been built there under the previous zoning.  It also needs to be noted that Wood passed along he thought the project would be "lucky" to break ground within the next 36 months.  That means nothing is imminent.

As a Continual Care Life Plan community involving some level of Health Care Services, the project will be subject to regulation by the NC Department of Insurance.  That will add to the complexity of the project and the planning required.  Wood also indicated that the nature of the project involving seniors was s factor in requesting an increase in the number of allowed floors from 3 to 5.  That will allow for a more compact plan with buildings closer to wellness facilities.

Wood also stressed the project will make significant efforts to minimize environmental impacts, acknowledging that the project would be something new in the lake community.  He did say that direct boat access wasn't expected as part of the plan and that amenity hadn't been requested during the focus groups so far.

As for the incorrect diagram published in the earlier post here at aShortChronicle, that didn't come from the Province project.  Wood confirmed that no diagram was sent with the letter announcing the focus groups.  That was done intentionally to not skew the focus group feedback.  He did however say some drawings would be made available once the focus group sessions were complete and feedback incorporated.  It was also confirmed that the project being planned by Nest Homes and R.L. West Properties is on the Transco Rd peninsula into Lake Davidson.  That's across the cove from Davidson Pointe.

aShortChronicle will be sure to pass along those correct drawings on when they are available.

No comments:

Post a Comment