MATTHEWS, N.C. —
Town leaders are updating the comprehensive plan that guides growth in Matthews for the first time in over 10 years.
Envision Matthews is a detailed document that will guide the future development and vision of the town over the next several years. The recommendations, unanimously approved by the Matthews Planning Board on Tuesday, include higher-density housing downtown, a reimagined Stumptown Park, and better signage for parking.
Downtown Matthews has quaint, small-town charm but some worry that could change as Charlotte’s growth trickles in. Town leaders are now trying to find a balance between the two.
Lifelong resident Anna King told WCNC Charlotte her favorite part about Matthews is its historic feel.
"I love how close everything is and how small— well it was smaller but …" King said while alluding to the town's changes.
"I feel like it's growing a lot," she added.
Town leaders hope to keep up with the growth in the Envision Matthews plan.
"We felt that it was imperative for us to get out ahead of those growth pressures that are inevitable in an area like the Charlotte region," Jay Camp, the town's planning director, said.
He said the updated guidelines envision more housing and mixed-use development downtown.
"We want to maintain that small town charm, while at the same time, we do have a stop on the future Silver Line, right in the heart of downtown," Camp added.
One of the plan's recommendations is to allow taller buildings downtown one block away from Trade Street.
"Part of the town's vision going forward will be to keep that building character and intensity at four stories or less," Camp explained.
King isn't a fan of adding more apartments to downtown. "It’ll lose a lot of its charm if we just keep throwing places to live in it all," she said.
King said she understands change is inevitable but worries about overcrowding. "I guess I’m excited to see it grow, I just don’t want it to lose the community feel," King said.
The Matthews Town Council is set to vote on the Envision Matthews plan on May 13.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.