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Huntersville planners approve request for new development in Birkdale Village

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — The Huntersville Planning Board met Tuesday night and recommended a rezoning petition for a new development at Birkdale Village.

Birkdale, located off Sam Furr Road and Interstate 77, is a community with restaurants, stores, a movie theater and apartments in one of Huntersville’s busiest areas.

On Tuesday, Birkdale’s property owners asked the town’s planning board for input on five items -- including rezoning more than nine acres to make room for the changes, as well as increasing the allowed height limit on buildings.

The committee set the maximum building height for hotels and commercial buildings at 115 feet, which is below a previous proposal of 145 feet.

Earlier this year, the property owners began a $20 million renovation. That included a 6,000-square-foot open-air gathering space, which will be used for community events and sports watch parties.

On Oct. 3, the property owners presented new plans to the Huntersville Town Board. The plans include 350 new apartments, a 125-room hotel, an office building, more retail space and two new parking decks.

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The developer says Birkdale needs to modernize to stay relevant and keep the area as a destination for residents and guests.

“Birkdale Village, while 20 years old, has needed, and we’ve been injecting, a good shot in the arm to continue making it relevant,” said Tim Perry with North American Properties.

The planning board will send its recommendations to the town commission, which has the final say on the project.

A vote could come as soon as next month.

(WATCH BELOW: Cheesecake Factory adding restaurant in Huntersville’s Birkdale Village, building permit shows)