Jan. 1--Marvin -- one of the last fast-growing western Union County towns without big commercial development -- could get its first shopping center soon.
Town leaders Tuesday will discuss a proposal by developer Lat Purser to rezone land at the southeast corner of Providence and Newtown roads from residential to mixed-use development. If approved, Purser would build a 250,000- to 300,000-square-foot development anchored by a 50,000-square-foot supermarket.
Additionally, the development would include "a number of other shops," a gas station, hardware store and townhouses, which would buffer the development from the nearby Weddington Chase neighborhood, said Marvin Mayor Mike Cognac.
Purser said, "We've had a number of people call us (about openings), but until we get the rezonings we don't know what we have to offer right now."
Cognac said the town's Planning Board "took a lot of time reviewing" the proposal, but approved it "with a bunch of contingencies," like its architectural design and how close the development could be to the roads.
The mayor said he expects the council to hold several meetings to discuss the project and declined to set a time for a final vote.
The town of more than 2,000 residents traditionally has opposed commercial development, Cognac said, but he declined to speculate on this proposal's chances.
He said the proposed site is "sensible" for commercial development because it's a major thoroughfare, and the developer has been meeting with residents and town officials for more than a year.
Purser said Marvin residents currently drive an "extra two to four miles" to shop, and the location will provide services to Wesley Chapel, Marvin and Waxhaw "in equal time."
"This is a strategic corner -- it's the only intersection in northwest Union County that goes north, south, east and west," Purser said.
(Charlotte Observer, The (NC) (KRT) -- 01/02/06)
