MONROE, North Carolina — A massive active adult community is coming to Monroe.
Tuesday night, the Monroe City Council approved plans for the 340-acre development off Highway 601, which is getting mixed reviews from the community.
Neighbors spoke both for and against the project, which is called"Eagle’s Rest," at the meeting.
Some people hoped that city leaders would delay the vote until more research was done on the project. However, the council unanimously approved it.
The land was zoned for low-density housing in a rural area. Now, it is rezoned for 670 homes, amenities like pools and a fitness club, plus commercial space.
"Eagle's Rest at Lake Lee is where active adult living meets exclusive comfort," Tom Crouch with the development team said during his presentation to the city council.
The developers of "Eagle's Rest" said the 55-plus community will take advantage of Lake Lee and the surrounding beauty of nature.
"Just over 40% of our site is common open space," Crouch said.
Some neighbors are worried about the high number of homes and possible negative impacts on the lake and animals that currently live in the woods.
"I find it ironic you’re calling it, "Eagle's Rest" when you’re displacing the very inhabitants that live there now," one woman said while speaking in opposition to the development.
About 20 acres of woods are preserved in the plan for an existing eagle's nest on the property. Crouch said the nest is currently abandoned.
The developers tell WCNC Charlotte they plan to break ground by spring 2025 at the latest.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.