Local

Neighbors in north Charlotte concerned about possibility of big box stores moving in

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Neighbors said they are concerned a city re-rezoning request will put traffic and a big box stores in their back yard.

As construction on Interstate 485 continues, new developments continue to pop up alongside of it.

"You can hear it now," Kim Varner has owned a home in that area for three years. While he said his neighborhood has character, the rezoning sign near his driveway has him furious.

Plans on the city website give the details: proposed commercial retail, just feet from his front door.

"This is going to be their access road," Varner said.

Varner fears the new development would create traffic and noise issues, but it's not just his neighborhood, the city said could soon see new developments.

Channel 9 was able to find two rezoning petitions in the same area.

The Florida-based company Halvorsen has filed a petition rezoning near Prosperity Church Road to put in office space, retail and restaurants.

Just down the road from Varner's home, another company, Aventine Development, Inc., has filed another petition to the city to do similar construction on 5 acres near Eastfield Road.

This brings potential new construction that City Councilwoman Claire Fallon believes has interested developers because of construction on the I-485 connection.

"Something like that always impacts somebody else," said Fallon.

The city said the property next to Varner's home is in the beginning stages of the rezoning requests.

There are several steps before it would go to a council vote in December.

"It's rezoning. The zoning committee will look at it. Planning will look at it. They will do whatever the best plan is for everybody," said Fallon.

The city said developers have their eye on this area because of how soon I-485 construction will be complete.

The new developments Varner believes will directly impact his neighborhood and others.

"That is not what we signed up for," said Varner.

State officials said construction of I-485 will be complete late 2014.

The city will hold a petition rezoning hearing Monday evening.

PETITION: Prosperity Church Road across from Ridge Road

PROJECT PLAN: Prosperity Village Northwest Arc Thoroughfare Extension