SouthPark Neighbors Fired Up Over Apartment ComplexCHARLOTTE, NC - Some residents in SouthPark are upset about plans to put a 300 unit apartment complex next to their neighborhood. The land is already zoned for an office building, but it’s the size of the new unit that has people worked up. Jim Gallager says he moved to Barclay Downs for a peaceful retirement, “This is it. Why would you want to leave Charlotte? It’s just a friendly neighborhood.” But with time, comes change. Woodfield Investments wants to put an 8 story, 300 unit apartment building on the corner of Barclay Downs and Morrison Boulevard. Hilary Larsen is the Barclay Downs Homeowners Association President. She says the new unit is too close to their Swim & Racquet Club, “We are not saying that you can’t build here. We are just saying; give us a little room between the club and this project.” The area where the apartments would be built sits adjacent to Barclay Downs Swim & Racquet Club. The new apartment unit developers are asking for what would be more than twice the size of the original unit zoned for. But it’s not just the proximity that frustrating neighbors. Bridgette Smith says she’s concerned about traffic, “Traffic is a really big issue because we already have a lot of cars that run stop signs and kids walk to the pool by themselves.” Chad Hagler, Woodfield Investments Partner, says they are looking to enhance the community, not destroy it, “The folks in that building are going to patronize on the shops and restaurants and help to keep that retail vibrant." Regardless Hagler says, Woodfield Investments will build on the corner regardless of the rezoning outcome, “If we are not successful, then we would do the office building, it could be built on the property now, it’s not contingent on any rezoning.” Barclay Downs has filed a petition of protest with City Council against the proposed apartment building. They plan to speak out during a public hearing on Monday night. |
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