CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Long before Interstate 485, the airport, TopGolf and the Charlotte Premium Outlets, the Freeman family held a house on Steele Creek Road.
Over time, their pastures turned into a parkway and their backyard became a Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits.
After a long run, the family is ready to sell their land and turn a new page.
“We respectfully request you approve this request, so we can close this chapter in our lives and begin anew,” Cooper Freeman told Charlotte City Council.
Replacing the Freeman’s house will be a 45,000-square-foot development. Plans call for restaurants, retail, 230 apartments and a grocery store.
The Charlotte City Council unanimously approved the proposal Monday night.
“I submit to you no one has seen more change in this part of the city than the Freeman family,” Collin Brown, an attorney representing the developer, told City Council in October.
The development off Steele Creek Road will be across the street from the Berewick Shopping Center and a short distance from I-485 and the Charlotte Premium Outlets.
The plan has drawn some neighborhood concern.
Three residents addressed the City Council.
Karl Froelich, president of the Steele Creek Residents Association, told Council that he is not opposed to the development. He is just opposed to design and makeup of the development.
“What we oppose is the lack of creativity related to the quality of life,” Froelich said.
Froelich hopes the development would be modeled after the Stonecrest at Piper Glen shopping center in Ballantyne. He hopes the new development will feature fountains, a walking trail and more green space.
Council members agreed with Froelich’s assessment.
“It’s just very institutional looking,” Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt said.
“I see more parking lot than anything,” Justin Harlow of District 2 said.
[Topgolf set to break ground on Charlotte complex]
Brown said the developer is willing to work with the city on potential changes that will make the development aesthetically pleasing. He said they are limited in what they can do because a walking trail is not permitted to go through their designated tree save and a Shopton Road West is being extended to connect to the development.
Resident Nanci De Felippe requested fewer housing units, but Brown said that is unlikely.
Councilman Greg Phipps briefly remarked on traffic. Councilman Ed Driggs asked if schools are already overcrowded and was told, “Yes.”
Analysis by the city of Charlotte estimates the development will generate 5,560 additional trips a day in the area.
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