Huntersville board approves Northline Row rezoning, reviews Red Line progress
HUNTERSVILLE – The Huntersville Town Board approved a rezoning for a 101-townhome development on Old Statesville Road, near the proposed Red Line commuter rail, despite a recommendation against the project from town staff during its Oct. 20 meeting.
Veer Development’s Northline Row proposal requested to rezone approximately 9.1 acres at 17111–17149 Old Statesville Road from Neighborhood Residential to Transit-Oriented Development-Residential Conditional zoning. The project will include about 101 townhomes, or 15.2 units per acre.
Town planning staff recommended denial, arguing that a townhome-only development does not meet the 2040 Community Plan’s goal of mixed-use development in TOD zoning. Staff also raised concerns about pedestrian connectivity near N.C. 115 and unknown infrastructure needs in relation to future development and the expansion of the highway.
“We’d like to be in a little bit more advanced talks with CRTPO (Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization), NCDOT (North Carolina Department of Transportation) and CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) for what might be needed in the highway,” said Planning Director Brian Richards. “That being said, if you do choose to approve it, we will definitely work around those restraints.”
Planning staff also gave commissioners a list of recommendations to improve the project.
Robert Irvin of Irvin Law Group, representing the developers, said the applicant has made additional commitments as part of the application, including a 20% rental cap, a $2,500 donation to the Carolina Raptor Center and working with the National Wildlife Federation to become a certified NWF community.
Foregoing any discussion, the board voted unanimously to approve the development, noting that higher density housing was appropriate in that location due to its proximity to I-77 and a future Red Line commuter station.
“Huntersville continues to grow, and with that growth comes the need to provide a diverse range of housing options for both current and future residents,” commented Commissioner Nick Walsh. “Townhomes are another important option for those who want to call Huntersville home.”
Walsh continued by praising the developers for agreeing to a cap to the number of rental units in the development, stating that homeownership is important for building strong, stable communities.
In other business, the board also approved a revision to the Second Street Village development at 204 N. Church St. The proposal increases the number of townhomes from 14, which was approved under a previous developer, to 18 on approximately 1.15 acres. The property is being bought by developers working on a project immediately to the north, and the two will be integrated.
“The enhanced pedestrian activity along Church Street, which will go along with our fantastic Red Line one day,” elaborated Richards.
Town staff recommended approval with conditions, supporting seven requested modifications involving building height, rear setbacks, a northern buffer and tree mitigation.
A third approved measure allows noncommercial barns, hay storage and hobby workshops on residential lots of at least 5 acres. The ordinance limits the structures’ size to twice the first-floor heated area of the principal residence.
CATS outlines Red Line progress
Brent Cagle, interim CEO of CATS, and Brian Nadolny, a CATS project manager, presented an update on the Red Line commuter rail project and northern Mecklenburg County’s microtransit service at the board meeting.
The Red Line, which will improve regional transit connections along a 24-mile corridor connecting Charlotte and northern Mecklenburg County, remains in the 30% design phase, with completion estimated to take 8 to 10 years following the activation of the regional transit funding sales tax. CATS officials said they are looking into options that could accelerate that timeline, and they may look at alternative delivery methods for some aspects of the project in the hopes of having riders on the line before 2034. The Red Line is expected to cost more than $1.38 billion. The Red Line will now have 11 stations, with three in Huntersville; the stop at Sam Furr Road is being described as a regional stop by officials. The Red Line is also expected to be renamed due to “negative connotations” with the name.
CATS officials furthermore reported strong demand for CATS Micro in North Mecklenburg, serving more than 100,000 customers since launching in February 2025.
The update followed October service changes that introduced Route 177, the North Meck Connector, with hourly weekday bus service from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The route connects uptown Charlotte with park-and-ride locations in Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson Gateway. Micro transit service hours were extended to 9 p.m. daily.
Source: Lake Norman Publications, Oct 28, 2026
