Davidson residents file suit against town over proposed hotel

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Residents are against a plan to build a new hotel on Griffith Street in Davidson.

“It makes us very nervous,” resident Brian Sweeney said.

Despite fierce opposition, a lame-duck Davidson town board voted last year to allow a hotel to be built at the site.

WATCH: Davidson woman 'sings out' against hotel development 

Sweeney is concerned because the hotel will likely overlook his backyard in the Westside Terrace neighborhood.

“It's just not a good location for it,” he said.

Sweeney is one of more than two dozen people who are not giving up and taking this fight to Mecklenburg County court.

The plaintiffs are suing the town, developer and landowner, claiming the three committed seven procedural violations including:

• Inadequate notice and opportunity to be heard
• Spot zoning
• Noncompliance with DPO
• Arbitrary and capricious and ultra vires
• Violation of procedural due process: failure to hold a quasi-judicial hearing
• Violation of NC Gen Stat 160A-383: Failure to approve a proper statement of consistency
• Violation of separation of powers and procedural due process: NC Gen Stat 160A-383

DOCUMENT: Lawsuit

Cliff Hammond lives in Spinnaker Cove, the other neighborhood that sits near the proposed hotel.

He would never have believed that one day he would be in court fighting against the place he loves.

“I cannot believe I am a plaintiff in a suit against the town,” Hammond said.

Residents who are against the project said the lack of concern from previous board members brought them to this point.

“I think this isn't right,” resident Daisy Raeford said.

She joined the lawsuit because she's worried about her future.

“It's dangerous for us elderly people who live over here,” Raeford said.

The town of Davidson did not respond to Channel 9’s request for a comment but in court filings, the town said the current commissioners disagree with the decision to build a hotel on the property.

The case will make its first appearance in Mecklenburg County court on Tuesday.

Cox Media Group