CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A developer is facing heat for its plans to build 32 townhomes in a southeast Charlotte neighborhood.
Homeowners in Mammoth Oaks aren’t happy with the proposed plans, but what’s causing deeper concern is a rumor swirling about how the developer allegedly acquired the property.
Allegations of unethical business practices started when Veer Homes bought two houses on about two acres of land on Sardis Road.
The developers told WCNC Charlotte's Julia Kauffman that the debacle was a big misunderstanding.
"I'm totally for Charlotte development, but it has to fit and enhance the neighborhood," resident Nick Kolbenschlag said.
Kolbenschlag's backyard faces a portion of the proposed townhome community. He and his neighbors are pushing against it because of density and traffic concerns.
"It's really just jamming in as much property as possible for as much profit as possible," Kolbenschlag added.
Neighbors also alleged Veer Homes misrepresented its plans for the properties during the sale.
Keith Stines was friends and neighbors with the previous owner of one of the houses who he said shot down offers from multifamily developers for the past several years.
"Mrs. Lawing was in her late 90s when she passed away a year or so ago," Stines explained. "Her desire was that her heritage property go towards single-family development."
WCNC Charlotte spoke with a family member of Mrs. Lawing who said Veer Homes approached her about the house for sale and shared plans to build a large family home on the property.
"The daughter was very pleased when she felt the property was being sold to someone who was going to develop a single-family [home]," Stines added.
However, after the sale closed, Veer Homes submitted a rezoning petition for a 32-unit townhome community.
"How does the community interact with them when the level of trust has already been breached," Stines asked.
The developers explained to WCNC Charlotte that there's an explanation for the change in plans.
"We never misled the sellers," Chandni Lalchandani, co-owner of Veer Homes said.
Lalchandani is a real estate agent but has never developed a multifamily property before.
"After the closing, I started receiving multiple phone calls on a daily basis from developers," Lalchandani explained. "And then I started doing my research and I realized there's a better use of this land than just building a single home."
Neighbors are upset but hope the builders will at least compromise on the number of units. "It would be nice if we could meet in the middle somewhere," Stines said.
This development proposal is very early in the rezoning process, and a public hearing with the Charlotte City Council has not yet been scheduled.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.