Charlotte City Council approves major industrial development project

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte City Council approved, in a 7-4 vote, a major industrial project in west Mecklenburg County.

Council members Renee Johnson, Matt Newton, Victoria Watlington and Braxton Winston voted “no" to Project Square Grooves Plans, which include up to 1.5 million square feet of industrial development. The development site is 156 acres off Moores Chapel Road near Interstate 85.

“There will be an overflow of freight traffic on roads that do not have the infrastructure to support it,” Watlington said.

The proposed rezoning drew fierce opposition from surrounding homes that worry about the environmental impact.

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“This type of development, if they went to Ballantyne or some other area, and 1,000 people had signed a petition, or we heard from hundreds of residents, then this would be unthinkable,” Johnson said.

Councilman Tariq Bokhari said the project is perfectly situated next to the interstate, airport and intermodal facility.

Other leaders agree that makes it an ideal spot for this type of development.

The developer is committing $7 million to infrastructure improvements, and the council expects the development will bring as many as 1,000 jobs when finished.

“Logistics and distribution are the highest wage-growth industry of any industry where you don’t need to have a degree to have a job,” Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt said.

According to the city, land will be set aside for a park, and the developer is committing to saving 50% of trees on the property.

A tenant has not been identified for the property, but the developer is believed to be in a discussion with an e-commerce company and a large manufacturer looking to consolidate.

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