Belmont affordable housing project a good fit, developer says

BELMONT, N.C. — Affordable housing is one of Charlotte leaders' top priorities, and a project in Belmont is underway after getting approval nearly a decade ago.

Some residents don't think it’s a good fit, but the developer is trying to ease their concerns.

The project will bring 112 units of affordable housing to the community -- a vision first conceived by Saint Paul Baptist Church almost 20 years ago.

“Anytime land became available around the church, we bought it with the vision being to create affordable housing,” Gwen Garnett, who is with the church, said.

City Council signed off on the project seven years ago, but not to the satisfaction of some area residents.

“We already have a lot of traffic issues here in Belmont,” resident Jennifer Monroe said.

Moore moved into Belmont after the project was approved, and she has several concerns, from the number of trees the developers have taken down to the streets that may not be big enough to handle what's coming.

“When you add that many units, it's out of scale with the entire population,” Monroe said.

Developer Lee Cochran, with Laurel Street Builders, the company building the housing, said it has worked with the community all along.

“We still think it's a great mix in this neighborhood,” Cochran said.

Cochran agreed to put speed bumps along Pegram Street, one of the busier streets that borders the project.

Cochran said the company is willing to listen to neighbors' concerns, but the project, which is a three-story building for seniors, is scheduled to open sometime next year.

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