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Permalink Reply by Darryl Parker on February 9, 2008 at 2:07pm

Jim,

I'd like to more clearly understand the current vision that is being used. Is there a 25-year plan or other such thing that the Town is working with right now? Is this what is currently in revision/renewal?

Thanks!

Darryl

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Permalink Reply by Jim Denk on February 9, 2008 at 2:43pm

Right now economic development happens for the most part . . .randomly. If a company thinks Matthews is a great place for their business and they have picked a site . . .their first stop is to our zoning department.

What the Strategic Economic Plan report is saying is that Matthews has grown out of this type of system and it will be in the towns best interest to become pro-active in how we plan for our future.

What does being proactive mean? Probably adding an Economic Development official or team that goes out and sells ideas that come from what we want our town to become. (Example would be bringing to fruition the Small Area Plan, - the land next to the future sportsplex - an idea that has been around for years but never has been able to get off the ground. The idea being that if Matthews had someone who was actively seeking businesses for that area and showing them the plan and vision behind it, we would probably succeed much quicker and with just as much control.

Another idea to generate economic development would be to actively start rezoning areas for the type of business we want in those areas. Several years ago Matthews pretty much threw a blanket R-20 zoning classification to much of Matthews . . .Most folks would agree that this was the right choice for a small town that was feeling the explosion of growth in our area. This strategy helped Matthews control growth by forcing developers to apply for rezoning . . .therefore forcing them to go through a thorough government process. The Strategic Economic Plan is, once again, saying we have probably outgrown this system and are in need of change.

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Permalink Reply by Darryl Parker on February 9, 2008 at 2:54pm

That helps me understand where we are more.

I wonder too if it would not be a good idea to coordinate with the Regional economic planning folks over at CharlotteUSA.com. I've sat on a panel there before on the economic development of the region and there are certainly regionwide opportunities that Matthews should be prepared to review. Having someone active in the county and regional planning would greatly improve the opportunities for growth and likely improve the quality of that growth.

I'd like to see this side of Charlotte get a stronger destination point. I've often thought of Matthews as a great place to preserve by creating more of a retail and destination environment. A few anchor draws to this area such as a theater - perhaps not a movie theater but a very nice performing arts theater - or some other attraction that can regularly draw the 2-3 hour attendance crowds would greatly add to the overall foot traffic and therein the quality of the retail experience.

I think the Matthews Farmer's Market has been a great example of what a destination can be and I would encourage the town to find ways to shore-up that organization and provide that they always exist and are allowed room to grow.

I agree that a strategic economic plan would help us achieve some direction so that when any of us heard of such opportunities, we could encourage them and get the business in front of the right people. This is a great direction for preserving our town.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Denk on February 9, 2008 at 3:16pm

I agree that having coordination with areas outside Matthews is a good idea I know that smaller suburban communities like Lake Norman area, Huntersville, Davidson, etc. have a joint panel that discusses transportation and economic issues. I believe Weddington, Stallings, Indian Trail also have some kind of joint panel group.

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Permalink Reply by John Ramseur on February 28, 2008 at 9:14pm

You can check out my somewhat lengthy reply on the forum about transportation, but I am convinced that light rail from Uptown Charlotte would make economic development in Matthews easy and smart. Of course I grew up around Cotswald and know that connecting the triangle (some real estate agents call it the golden pie piece) from Monroe Rd to South Blvd to 485 with transit would hit about the best economic region in the U.S./World right now. I'm such a homer.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on March 6, 2008 at 10:16pm

Ok, here’s my loosely-structured Matthews ramble… Enjoy.

It seems that when you look at the CATS plans for the next 30 years, light rail toward Matthews is... well, not being really considered. That is, not as Matthews is now. Sure, that CAN change but WILL it? Has anyone looked at the "Charlotte USA" reports that were put out last year? Though we have plenty of traffic (and all of the joys that go with it), if you look at actual density in this area, we're still lightweights. Are we ready for the density that would support light rail in this corridor? That seems to require a cultural change in Matthews. It will also mean MORE traffic and MORE headaches during the progression. The small area plan seems to lean that direction but that's a WAY out (as far as I can tell). 10 years… 15, 20, 30?

Now, I do not want to sound negative as I really do like our town leadership and the potential for this area. I am, however, not sure that I see any consistent "actions" that make me believe that this town's culture has changed toward aggressive development. When we vote to fund change, it flows out slow like molasses.

From my perspective, Matthews is a great family community. The downtown has a great weekend vibe with the market and activities. I have noticed more and more activity in downtown during the week. I love having lunch meetings in downtown. I may on any given day enjoy a coffee after I go the library or meet for a drink after work at one of several local spots. Now, what really hurts is that few people work downtown and thus few people live downtown and we commute. What needs to come first – The jobs or a community of medium density / urban living?

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Brotherton on March 8, 2008 at 9:33am

Adam, I too am concerned about the future of Matthews. In my opinion, we need to quit developing property for businesses - how many more empty office buildings do we need in Matthews, anyway? How many more medical buildings do we need???
If we have more residents, there will be more of a need for businesses and a better "home base" to support the businesses that already exsist. We need to take care of the residents and build more homes in the downtown area! My family and I moved here from "the city" (i.e. Uptown Charlotte) two years ago and we LOVE it here! I am, however, growing weary of the continued building of businesses and office developments. I live on N Freemont St. and walk to everything in town - my kids love it. But, right now, I am stuck between two upcoming developments - both containing business and medical (a kidney dialysis building 20 feet from my children's swingset) and one containing future plans for condos - to back up the other set of condos that have not sold. Both developments will also be clear-cutting beautiful trees. At what point will the city of Matthews say enough!?!? Are we going back to "Stumptown" status?
I look forward to having an economic planner, but in the same breath, I worry about the "vision" the city will put into motion. I think it is important to keep the quaint, downtown feel that we have, so we can continue to be a weekend destination for people in the area and attract more families to the area.

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