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Developer interested in building on contaminated land in Belmont

BELMONT, N.C. — For years, no one has been allowed to live on a swath of riverfront property in Belmont because it was too dangerous.

An old mill dumped toxic chemicals onto the ground, contaminating the area.

Channel 9 learned the city council has approved plans to build a massive development on that property.

So why would any developer want to build on contaminated land that would complicate construction?

Channel 9 found out that a developer would be interested in toxic properties known as Brownfields because they could receive a 50 percent property tax cut for five years.

The companies could be eligible for the tax break if they work with an environmental group to clean up the contaminants properly.

"There's too much environmental stuff involved. To me, it's dangerous," neighbor Faye Keaton said.

Neighbors worry the major construction project will threaten the homes that circle the property.

"The builder told us they would need to put down a vapor barrier in order to build on top of it, that's kind of scary," said neighbor Kristian Rhyne.

The developer is saying they will give some riverfront property to the city to use as a park.

Neighbors told Channel 9 that space actually has the highest concentration of contaminants so no one would want to use it.

Channel 9 asked whether containing the toxins would be enough for neighbors, but Channel 9 learned the density of the development is weighing on them as well.

"I'm concerned about that many apartments, that many people, the traffic. Where are you going to put all those cars?" Keaton said.

Neighbors are worried about the parking situation because they say the city is planning to take the street parking outside their homes and allow it to be used for residents in the apartment complex as well.

"They're going to put 500 cars in less than nine acres with one way in and one way out," Rhyne said.

Rhyne worries their quiet community would be destroyed by the amount of traffic the development would bring to their narrow streets.

Neighbors are preparing to file an injunction. They are asking a judge to put everything on hold until the November elections so they can try to vote new council members in who will cancel the project.

A company named Aberfoyle LLC is listed as the developer.

Channel 9 tried contacting Aberfoyle LLC to ask what safety precautions they are planning to take. Since Channel 9 wasn't able to find any information about them online, we are trying to reach them through other avenues, such as our contacts at the Department of Environmental Quality.

As soon as we hear back from them, we'll let you know.

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