A Charlotte-based developer wants a piece of land north of Interstate 540 on Falls of Neuse Road at Dunn Road rezoned to build a retail location that would include a new 50,000 square foot grocery store.
» Click here for a Google map of the area. «
The 11 acre plot of land is under contract right now to the Morgan Property Group, which works with Publix grocers to build new stores. They are looking to rezone the property for commercial use.
However, residents say the land should be protected under the city's comprehensive plan. They started a petition, and within a week collected more than 500 signatures.
"We're not opposed to development," said resident George Farthing. "We're opposed to improper development."
People living nearby want to stop the area from being rezoned, and are concerned about added congestion to an already busy area.
"I see more traffic and we don't have the capability for traffic," said resident Fred Chauncey.
They also say they are worried about an overall change to quality of life.
"My property value is going to plummet," Chauncey said.
"One of the reasons I chose the location where I moved is because I'm not interested in living in a mixed use environment," said resident Stacy Cashin.
An executive with Morgan Property could not be reached for comment Thursday. Publix would not speak on the issue.
"We have four grocery stores within two-and-a-half miles of here," said Farthing. "A fifth grocery store closed less than two years ago. The market has spoken. We do not need a grocery store here."
Residents say they are still collecting signatures for the petition. They plan to give it to the mayor and city council sometime in the near future.
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