DAVIDSON – Davidson planning officials are inviting residents to participate in a two-day workshop to bring together ideas for the future development of the Davidson East property on N.C. 73.

The workshop starts at 8:30 a.m. Monday, June 20, with a two-hour walk around the site, and town officials warn those attending to “dress appropriately and bring refreshments, sun screen and bug spray.” The rest of the meeting will take place at Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St., as the consulting firm Henson-Foley helps people and businesses with an interest in the land, as well as any interested citizens, build a plan for the land.

Former developer Frank Jacobus had the zoning he needed to build a 240-home subdivision on the 130-acre site that sits on the north side of N.C. 73 between Ramah Church and McAuley roads. But Jacobus defaulted on a $6 million loan, and CommunityONE Bank took over the property in late 2009.

Davidson commissioners got an earful earlier this year when town planners proposed rezoning the site for a mixed-used employment center, with offices and light manufacturing. Planners said the town needed sites to attract businesses that would create jobs so people could live and work in Davidson.

But CommunityONE immediately objected and brought in its own experts who said the site wouldn’t make a good business park. Officials with the Davidson Lands Conservancy also wondered what kind of changes a business park might bring to the site.

The town board delayed any decision on the planning staff’s recommendation after getting money to hire the consultant to work with staff and property owners to create the concept plan.

After the Monday morning site visit, other workshop meetings on Monday include:
• 10:30 a.m. to noon: Review previous planning efforts.
• 1 to 4:30 p.m.: Henson-Foley will lead the conceptual site layout and help develop building alternatives.
• 7 to 9 p.m.: The consultants will make a “pin-up presentation,” and the public can comment on alternative concepts.

On Tuesday, June 21, also in the Town Hall board room, the consultants will lead a series of meeting about comments on the plan and meet with people and businesses with an interest in the land.

All events are open to the public. For more information contact, Planning Manager Lauren Blackburn at lblackburn@ci.davidson.nc.us or 704-940-9621.