Cornelius Board Greenlights Bethel Presbyterian Church Buildout
Unanimous vote clears demolition of the fellowship hall and new ADA-compliant parking for the congregation's modernization project.
By Bianca Herrera ·
The Cornelius Town Board voted unanimously on Monday to approve a rezoning request for Bethel Presbyterian Church. This action clears the way for the congregation to demolish its current fellowship hall and construct a new addition on the property. The change allows the church to replace aging infrastructure with a modernized facility.
The approved plan includes relocating the playground from the side of the building to the rear of the site. New parking spaces will be built around the addition to satisfy Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Joseph Roy, who represented the church at the hearing, confirmed that the congregation will continue to operate the property as an election precinct during the construction period.
Approximately 30 church members attended the hearing to support the proposal. The site includes structures built before the town adopted its Land Development Code. To address this, the church proposes dedicating easements along the Bethel Church Road frontage for future bicycle and pedestrian use. The plan also calls for installing bicycle racks and adding an internal sidewalk that connects the main entrance to the existing crosswalk on Bethel Church Road.
The project includes landscaping improvements, with plans to plant additional trees along Bethel Church Road and in other areas of the property. These updates aim to bring the site into greater compliance with current town regulations while enhancing the exterior grounds.
Roy stated that construction is expected to begin in February 2027. The project is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2028.
