HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A controversial rezoning passed Monday night to pave the way for two local businesses to come to downtown Huntersville.
It came down to a tie-breaking vote by mayor Christy Clark.
The rezoning of two adjacent, abandoned homes on Gilead Road will bring a bookstore and cafe plus another brick-and-mortar version of The Dumpling Lady to town. The approved general zoning change was from a Neighborhood Residential designation to Town Center on 1.1 combined acres.
The properties are across the street from Huntersville Elementary School and in the shadow of another project that was met with heavy pushback: a development that includes 134 apartments, 41 townhomes and commercial space.
The commissioners who opposed didn’t have an issue with the proposed businesses themselves, but the path that was taken to make them a reality.
“Seeing the growth is amazing,” said Tonya Rivens. “I’m excited about what the revitalization of downtown will be. I struggle with having general rezoning in downtown. We still need to make sure it aligns with the vision of downtown Huntersville. The applicants have a great project, both of you. I hope we can find a fit for you. I cannot agree with it being zoned in our downtown area.”
The town’s planning staff determined the rezoning was consistent with the 2040 Huntersville Community Plan: The parcels are located within the town’s Tier 1 and 2 downtown designations that encourage commercial, office and/or residential development that are up to four stories.
Clark said it wasn’t an easy call on her part, but wanted to show her support for small businesses.
“I will approve the petition of this rezoning, because it’s consistent with the Downtown Plan and 2040 Plan, because I’m a longtime supporter of small business. I have faith in the applicants that they will do what they say they are to do.”
Dumpling Lady owner Derong Huang has owned her property since 2022; it will be her fourth location in Mecklenburg County. Franklin Lowry is the bookstore entrepreneur.
The rezoning initially includes two other parcels on the other side of Gilead, but they were removed from the petition.
Opponents argued a conditional rezoning was needed instead, or didn’t want to see more change downtown.
In addition to the mayor, commissioners Alisia Bergsman, Jennifer Hunt and Nick Walsh also voted in favor of it.
“This creates a vibrant downtown,” Hunt said. “People think Birkdale is downtown. I unequivocally support the rezoning.”
