Davidson accepting Jack Burney Award nominations (press release)

DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Town of Davidson is now accepting nominations for the G. Jackson Burney Community Service Award through September 28.

The award honors G. Jackson Burney and those who improve the Davidson community through unselfish service. The annual award is presented in late November or early December at a community event at town hall.

Jack was a true friend of Davidson. He led a life dedicated to improving the quality of life for all around him, and that was especially true in his dealings with the town. In his professional life, Burney helped to create the Charlotte Census tracts for the U.S. Department of Commerce, and he managed the Charlotte Chamber Economic Development program for ten years. He was a White House delegate to a conference on Balanced Growth and Economic Development and a technical advisor to the North Carolina Governor’s Conference on Balanced Growth.

In his personal time, Jack founded the Town Message and published several other newsletters, including one for the downtown Davidson organization. Jack provided support for town initiatives by volunteering his organizational, critical analysis, and leadership skills.

More information is available on our website atwww.townofdavidson.org/burneyaward.  Nomination forms are available online atwww.townofdavidson.org/burneynomination and at Davidson Town Hall. The deadline for submissions is September 28, 2018.

Previous winners are:

2017 – Bill Giduz

2016 – Garfield Carr

2015 – Leamon Brice

2014 – Connie and Eddie Beach

2013 – Pam Maier

2012 – Jean Jackson and Sterling Martin

2011 – Leland Park

2010 – Ralph Quackenbush
2009 – Jane Ellithorpe
2008 – John & Paula Kelton
2007 – Scotty Nicholls
2006 – Baxter & John Fisher and Evelyn Carr & Annie Mildred Lowery
2005 – William B. Mayhew
2004 – Bernice Houston

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.

Davidson medicine drop box dates & changes (press release)

DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Davidson Police Department has changed the dates and times during which the medicine drop box is open outside the west entrance of Davidson Town Hall, near the police department. The drop box will be available every other Monday, beginning August 13, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Medicine Drop Box Dates:

August 13 and 27

September 10 and 24

October 8 and 22

November 5 and19

December 3 and 17

We ask that you adhere to the following guidelines for the drop box:

• Prescription medications only
• No liquids
• No over-the-counter medicines
• No sharp needles (The exception to this is out-of-date Epipens in their cases.)

Please do not dispose of empty containers in the medicine drop box as they can easily be recycled in a household’s recycling container.

Please remove all personal information (name and address) from the container prior to disposal.

“Our goal is to help our citizens legally and safely turn unneeded medications over to law enforcement for destruction, without exposing our staff to unsafe, hazardous materials,” said Davidson Police Chief Penny Dunn.  “We have discovered toxic liquids, needles, and biological materials in the box when not monitored.”

For further information, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides guidance for how to dispose of different kinds of medicine here:https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

Scooter flock culls Uptown bicycle herds

aShortChronicle has previously told readers about the Dockless Bike Share phenomenon that over ran Uptown Charlotte earlier this year. Davidson College also started a similar program here in town targeted towards College students.  We also told you about the electric scooters which hit the streets of Uptown a few months later. What we didn't expect was how the popularity of the scooters would significantly impact the use and availability of the bicycles.

When the dockless bike shares hit the streets there were roughly 2000 bicycles scattered all over Uptown from four different vendors.  The bicycles were ubiquitous. They blocked sidewalks, were left all over the place, and generally where as much nuisance as useful form of transportation.

Then came the scooters.

What has been surprising is not only the popularity of the scooters, but how quickly it has culled the herds of bikeshare units.

After just about four months in the market and two months after the scooters hit the streets, Ofo - the last of the bikeshare vendors to enter the Charlotte market - has left.  The below email was sent out in late July to subscribers.

However, reducing the number of vendors isn't the only impact to the bicycle operations.  The remaining bikeshare companies, while still operating, appear to have also cut back the number of units in Uptown.  Interestingly, this includes LimeBike which operates both bicycles and scooters.  Take a look at the below from LikeBike's app.  Most of the units are now scooters.

Anecdotally, the use of the scooters seems to far surpass what the bicycles ever achieved.  For Uptown and South End residents they have become a viable commuting alternative with office workers seen regularly using them in the AM on their way to work.

But one has to wonder if their own popularity will eventually lead to the demise of the rentable scooters as well?

aShortChronicle recently saw a privately owned electric scooter locked to a rack.  Will the next trend among center city residents be buying their own scooters rather than renting them?

Retraction: Bridges Farm Rd story from Wednesday, 8/8

This has never been done before at aShortChronicle, but there is a first time for everything.  A story is being retracted.

Yesterday's post on a possible large retirement development north of Davidson off of Bridges Farm Rd contained a diagram depicting the location of the project and that diagram appears to be inaccurate.  Since that drawing was the basis for much of the post this warrants a retraction.

The source providing the information said they were positive the diagram was distributed with the referenced letter.  However, there was a rezoning this week in Mooresville that references another nearby property that also fits the description in the letter.  Additionally, the listing agent for the pictured property says there is no such activity underway.

Additional verification will be done in coming days and an update provided.  Apologies, for the confusion and concern this may have caused.  This kind of thing is something we work hard to avoid, but if a mistake is made it will be corrected.

UPDATE - 800+ residences coming to Bridges Farm Rd?

Update #2:  Upon review of the agenda if the most recent Mooresville Board meeting, there was a rezoning request that looks similar to the description of the described project, but in a different location than the picture included in this post.  That being the case this post is being redacted until further verification can be completed.

Update:  An individual stating he is the listing agent for the property pictured has indicated nothing is in the works for this property and that the diagram pictured is an old version of a previous project and that no rezoning is in the works.  Additionally, aShortChronicle incorrectly said thd project was on the south side of Bridges Farm rd, when the picture (that is apparently incorrect) depicts it on the north side.

No, this isn't the second coming of the Lake Davidson project turned back by citizen concern last year.  Instead, it looks like a second major new development may be in the works just north of Davidson over the Iredell County line on the north side of Bridges Farm Rd.   That is what one can surmise from a letter and landscape diagram circulated early last month in the area.

Meet the "Province on Lake Norman"...

By the counts on the diagram this project would include:

• 100+/- single family homes
• 300+/- condo/assisted living units
• 300+/- apartments
• 120+/- townhomes

That totals roughly 800 residences in what looks to be a massive senior living community.

In a letter that was mailed to people in the area dates early July, the project is described as a 100 acre "Life Plan Community" for people 60 - 75 that will "offer a full continuum of healthcare services, if ever needed."  There will also be a commercial component and a 50,000 sqft clubhouse.

To gather input on the project the developer is holding a half dozen focus groups. Two were held in July with four in August including one today, August 8th, at River Run Country Club in Davidson at 10am.

The letter says developers on the project include Nest Homes and R. L. West Properties.  The property is currently zoned R3 which means a rezoning will be needed to move it forward.

Upcoming public input sessions for new Davidson development projects

From the Town of Davidson July Planning News...

Lake Cornelius Residential:  A public input session will be held Wednesday, August 8 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the board room at Davidson Town Hall. The purpose of the meeting will be for the project owner, Meeting Street Homes & Communities, to discuss with the public their proposed master plan for 14 single-family homes on Catawba Avenue. For additional information, including a map of the project location and the submitted plans, please see the project webpage .

North Harbor Club CPA (Conditional Planning Area):  A public input session will be held Wednesday, August 29 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the board room at Davidson Town Hall. The purpose of the meeting will be for the project owner, The Lake Norman Company, to discuss with the public their proposed improvements to the North Harbor Club restaurant and the office building located at 400 North Harbor Place. For additional information, including a map of the project location and the submitted plans, please see the project webpage .

Signage has been up for the first session with signs per the "Judge's Order" placed at the end of Catawba Avenue.  Per the Town, signage will be placed for the 2nd per DPO Section 14.4.1.C which states signs must be placed at least 10 days prior to the session.