Introduction
A contentious debate is brewing over a South Carolina developer's ambitious plans to breathe new life into one of Lake Norman's historic waterfront landmarks. The Mooresville Planning Board, in a unanimous decision, has voiced strong reservations about Columbia-based Arnold Family Corp.'s proposed revitalization of the defunct Queens Landing entertainment complex. This picturesque site is nestled alongside the McCrary Creek Access Area public boat launch, located near the Iredell-Catawba county border.
Traffic Woes on N.C. 150
Concerns Voiced by the Community
The Planning Board's verdict comes on the heels of a public hearing, where the local community, consisting of seven residents and a legal representative from an adjacent residential development, passionately argued that the venture would further exacerbate the chronic traffic woes already plaguing N.C. 150. As Steve Schaffer, a resident of nearby Paradise Peninsula Road, pointed out, even short journeys now entail lengthy, 45-minute drives.
Commercial Zoning in Place
Despite the unanimous vote against the proposal, it's essential to recognize that the property currently holds commercial zoning, permitting the construction of three-story multi-use structures, as highlighted during the meeting.
Role of the Planning Board
The Planning Board functions as an advisory body, providing recommendations on zoning matters to the Mooresville Board of Commissioners, which holds the ultimate authority. The commissioners are poised to organize a similar public hearing to deliberate on the developer's plans during one of their regular meetings at Town Hall, located at 413 N. Main St. The date for this meeting will be announced, with the board traditionally rendering a decision on zoning requests during the same session.
Redevelopment Plans
Vision for Queens Landing
The developer's grand vision entails the erection of 172 multifamily units in two imposing six-story edifices, each characterized by five residential stories and one level reserved for parking. These buildings are intended to be equipped with elevators, spacious windows, and top-tier finishes, as attested by developer Ben Arnold during his presentation. Notably, the developer has pledged that construction will only commence once the state undertakes the expansion of N.C. 150 in the vicinity. This widening project is tentatively slated to begin in 2025, concluding in 2027, a timeline that elicited skepticism from the assembled audience.
State's Role in Road Widening
Erika Martin, the assistant director of Mooresville Planning & Community Development, confirmed the 2025 commencement date for the widening initiative. However, she underscored that the order of which sections of N.C. 150 will be expanded first falls under the purview of the state contractor. The comprehensive $269 million widening endeavor will span from U.S. 21 in Mooresville westward into Catawba County.
Queens Landing Transformation
Community Impact
The proposed transformation of Queens Landing is poised to usher in luxury apartments and enhance public access to the lake, according to Cindy Reid, a representative from Cornelius-based Irvin Law Group, who lauded it as a source of community pride. Her comment elicited some laughter among the attendees, prompting Planning Board Chairman Steve McGlothlin to issue a polite reminder about maintaining decorum.
Key Project Details
The developer's comprehensive plans also encompass the retention of a two-story building that will house a restaurant/bar and a conference center on the 6.5-acre property. Furthermore, the reimagined site includes a greenway with walkways leading to a 10-foot-wide multi-use path paralleling N.C. 150, as outlined in the developer's proposals.
Phases of Development
The development is slated to unfold in two phases, with the initial stage involving the construction of a marina and the refurbishment of the restaurant-commercial building, while the subsequent phase will see the construction of the multifamily housing structures. The plans additionally include provision for covered and open dining spaces, a recreational swimming pool, and a sprawling landscaped area for a variety of activities. Access to the existing boat docks will also be available. An art plaza is in the offing, along with an increased presence of shrubbery and other greenery along the waterfront.
Preservation of Lake Landmarks
It's worth noting that the project excludes the two longstanding sightseeing and dinner-cruise boats that have long been a fixture at Queens Landing. The Arnold Family Corp. acquired the property last year for a reported sum of $7.5 million, as per public property records.
Deborah Harwell, a resident of both Mooresville and Myrtle Beach who owns these boats, took proactive measures by relocating and anchoring them at an alternate location on the lake when the developer conveyed a lack of interest in retaining them, as previously reported. The 149-passenger Catawba Queen and the 93-foot Lady of the Lake boats are currently awaiting a new permanent mooring location to resume hosting passengers, as conveyed by the voicemail message at Queens Landing.