Mooresville Withdraws 550-Unit Housing Plans Along N.C. 150
Three major residential proposals totaling roughly 80 acres were pulled from the town’s agenda, clearing the way for a new 12-month pause on data center applications.
By James Brooks ·
Mooresville developers pulled three large residential projects from the town board’s November 2 agenda, removing 550 proposed units from the immediate review process. The decision affects parcels along the south side of N.C. 150 near Kendra Drive. These withdrawals mean the proposals must start over in the application pipeline if developers wish to pursue them again.
The withdrawn plans included Parc at Lake Norman, a 190-townhome community on 30.7 acres, and Davis Development #2, a 261-unit apartment complex with commercial spaces covering 29.8 acres. A third project, Millhouse Row, a 99-townhome development on 19 acres, had already been withdrawn. The projects were interdependent, with Davis requiring road access from Parc and needing utility connections to serve the townhomes.
Commissioner Gary West clarified that the withdrawals are final. He stated, “It’s important to note this is not a table, it’s not a reschedule. So when it’s withdrawn, it’s done. They would have to start another application through the planning department for something else.” This follows a unanimous recommendation from the Planning Board last month to deny the developments. Commissioners expressed opposition during an October 28 briefing, citing the under-construction status of N.C. 150 and the desire to finalize infrastructure before approving new growth near the Doolie Road and Perth Road nexus.
The discussion also addressed the McCrary Road Connector, a proposed $41 million east-west route currently marked as a placeholder in the town’s mobility plan. The road would cut through the withdrawn development parcels and ease local traffic flow. No financing or timetable exists for the project yet, but some of the withdrawn plans included the right-of-way necessary for its construction.
Board members used the meeting to outline a strategy for managing future growth. They discussed establishing a method to collect community input on development corridors and infrastructure needs. Commissioners noted that growth generates revenue essential for maintaining municipal services and managing costs without increasing property taxes.
In a separate action, the board unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on data center proposals. Mooresville joins 56 other North Carolina jurisdictions in pausing the review of these facilities. An additional 14 jurisdictions have amended their ordinances to specifically address data centers. The town aims to use this pause to draft comprehensive ordinance language governing future applications.
