Leaders Rethinking Controversial Satellite College Campus in Waxhaw

WAXHAW, NC – WCCB Charlotte has learned leaders are rethinking plans for a controversial satellite college campus in Waxhaw.

Neighbors have been fighting the proposed campus that would be built on land they say was supposed to be for a park.

“We’re not against a community college, we’re just against the location of this,” says Waxhaw, NC resident Scott Miller.

Miller and his neighbors have been fighting the proposed campus on nearly 35 acres on Waxhaw-Marvin Road owned by the town of Waxhaw.

“This is a pristine piece of land. If you walk this land, it’s just absolutely beautiful. It makes sense for a park. Does not make sense for a community college,” Miller says.

Late last year, Waxhaw Town Commissioners agreed to move forward with a feasibility study for a partnership between the town, South Piedmont Community College and Wingate University.

Neighbors were not happy.

“You’re going to end up with a thousand or 1200 people jammed into what is residential space. And it’s going to be going from nine in the morning until nine at night,” says Waxhaw, NC resident David Kloth.

Nearly 800 people have signed an online petition.

WCCB Charlotte has learned Monday the president of SPCC sent a letter to the mayor of Waxhaw saying they now plan to “re-examine locations” for the satellite campus.

Neighbors like Candace Definis want to help raise money to open the land as a park.

“We would like to see it developed as a passive park. There are two fully stocked ponds on this property, this is a pristine 34 acres. You’re not going to find another property like this property in Waxhaw today,” Definis says.