HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS PETITION:

Sign this petition to share your voice AGAINST:

• Empty lots in east Statesville residential area to be rezoned as high-density residential
• Statesville to vote next week on rezoning, with intent to build large apartment complex adjacent to Brookmeade, Statesville Country Club, and Camelot
• A high-density residential complex that will:
  • have little access to amenities
  • greatly increase traffic problems on Broad Street and Davie Avenue
  • increase crowding problems in already overcrowded and understaffed local schools
  • lower surrounding property values
  • potentially increase crime rates in the area

THE FOLLOWING OUTLINES THE PETITION IN FURTHER DETAIL:

The Statesville homeowners who reside in the low-density housing districts of east Statesville such as Brookmeade, the Statesville Country Club, and Camelot are very concerned about the City of Statesville's current plan to rezone land on the city/county line from commercial to high-density residential. The land in question consists of two empty lots that lie directly behind the Food Lion where Broad Street and Davie Avenue meet (3474 E Broad St, [map coordinates: 35.806039, -80.808306]). These two lots, formerly taxed at the county level, were just recently annexed by the City of Statesville. The city now intends to rezone these two lots as high-density residential, which would likely lead to the building of a residential complex intended to house potentially hundreds of new residents. As a matter of fact, a builder from another region is vying for permission from our Board of Commissioners to build just such an apartment complex, intended to house as many as 80 renting families.

An apartment complex in this neighborhood could pose many problems for both current residents and new residents alike, such as the following:

• being located on the outskirts of the city of Statesville, there would be a considerable lack of access to amenities needed for a much larger community (recreation, parks, variety of shopping choices, etc.)
• very inadequate road access for a much larger community, creating overcrowding on Broad Street and Davie Avenue
• local schools that service this area, which are already experiencing overcrowding and teacher shortages, will struggle to service the children of the new families living in this new complex
• a high-density residential complex will negatively affect the current property values of the surrounding low-density housing communities
• a lack of access to amenities in a high-density residential area could lead to higher crime rates amongst its residents

Statesville is proud of its strong communities, and seeks to protect its current residents' interests through careful planning for both the present and the future by keeping neighborhoods safe, property values high, and encouraging the growth of progressive and competitive commercial ventures. A low-cost, high-density residential complex at the far edge of town, in the middle of a vibrant, quiet, and safe community of homeowners is unwise and irresponsible treatment of our current citizens as well as potential new residents. It could potentially pave the way for many similar community changes in the future.

Please sign this petition AGAINST the rezoning of these lots in this community that will then lead to the building of a high-density residential complex to the detriment of this entire area.