Major industrial park proposed for western Meck County gets pushback from neighbors
A major industrial project in west Mecklenburg County is facing pushback from neighbors who would live in close proximity.
Beacon Acquisitions LLC and Crescent Communities is proposing up to 1,775,000 square feet of warehouses off of Rhyne Road near Interstate 485 and Mount Holly Road.
Right now, the nearly 150 acres is largely vacant.
Greetings from the 177 acre site being eyed for this industrial project pic.twitter.com/dhuNIA4MHe
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) October 17, 2022
Several residents in the secluded Rapids at Belmeade neighborhood west of the property urged the Charlotte City Council to oppose the development.
“We don’t want a bunch of mess out there,” neighbor Kimberly Helms said. “We just want to live and be able to hear the crickets and the birds.”
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An attorney representing the developers says the project’s location is ideal for the warehouses and some of the land is zoned industrial. That means something similar could be built on some of the property right now without any approval
“The reality is we have I-485 right there,” attorney Collin Brown said. “There is great demand for logistics in our area.”
Councilman Ed Driggs says city council is in a tough spot. He says the land sits outside of city limits and council doesn’t have the authority to refuse to consider development at the location, but he hears neighbors on why they are opposed.
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The developers are promising a three-acre park, traffic study, intersection improvements and a trail along the creek that will separate the homes from the warehouses.
Despite that, neighbors say they don’t want a major industrial project right next to them. They are worried about their quality of life and property values
“I don’t understand why it is so important that we cover everything in the area with concrete,” Helms said.
“Frankly the only thing I can see this rezoning bringing to the community is increased pollution, increased noise pollution and decreased property values,” neighbor Tyler Benson said.
A tenant for this project was not disclosed.
Charlotte City Council will vote as soon as next month.
(WATCH BELOW: Residents concerned over possible housing development in Belmont)
