Mayor breaks tie to approve Huntersville hotel that drew safety concerns

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A hotel plan that drew heavy neighbor opposition passed on a split vote in Huntersville Tuesday night.

A Fairfield Inn & Suites is coming to a business park near Birkdale Village, as town commissioner who voted in favor of the project said that concerns around safety or crime were largely unfounded.

The hotel coming to a 10-acre plot Northpoint Executive Park Drive will be three stories and hold 121 rooms. The brand falls under Marriot’s “select” category along with Courtyard, Springhill Suites and AC Hotels.

Town leaders said the hotel tax is a significant part of their revenue. There are currently 13 hotels operating in Huntersville.

“We use about 40 percent of hotel sales tax generated in Huntersville,” Commissioner Edwin Quarles said. “In dollars, we generated $786,000 in occupancy tax so far in FY2024. In the previous year for 12 months, we generated $797,000.”

It was explained that the section of tax revenue benefits recreational facilities like the parking expansion at Barry Park and renovations to the Huntersville Family Fitness and Aquatics center.

“They directly benefit Huntersville residents and facilities they use daily,” said Commissioner Jennifer Hunt.

There was a 3-3 vote, with Nick Walsh joining Hunt and Quarles. Mayor Christy Clark broke the tie with her approval, citing a shift for commercial taxes over residential.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Amanda Dumas said she was satisfied with leaving the property empty for the time being.

“We can afford to be picky,” she said. “I don’t see this as a valuable add, and I’m OK with land sitting unused until we find the right value add.”

Along with the land’s rezoning, a special-use permit was required since the plot to the north was residential. Since the building will be 36 feet high, it meets the requirement that it’s at least three times that figure (108 feet) from the nearest residential lot line, which is at 200 feet.

The applicant, Hotel Ventures of Lake Norman LLC, agreed on several conditions, mostly involving the vegetation buffer between the hotel property and the neighborhood, which falls under Cornelius town limits. In addition to a 30-foot buffer between the two sets of properties, the town also requires a 30-foot alternative buffer within the parking lot and a 6-foot vinyl fence.

Neighbors and some commissioners were concerned about hotel occupants being able to see into the homes.

The building itself also was tweaked, and will have a brick façade, plus added windows to the ground floor.

The town’s Planning Board approved the plans unanimously and deemed it consistent with the Huntersville 2040 Community Plan.

Hotel Ventures also will fund road improvements to Northcross Executive Park Drive that will include a 10-foot multi-use path.

The site will be largely underdeveloped since it’s in a flood plain. Other neighboring properties include Newell Brands and a Charlotte Area Transit System Park and Ride.

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