WAXHAW, N.C. — Growth is coming to the town of Waxhaw and fast. Some living in the town have growing concerns with how leaders will adjust to so much change. The impacts could affect neighborhoods, schools, roads, and even businesses.
Jody Hoffman is a relator in Waxhaw and has called the town home for decades. She highlighted all the positives that drew her family to Waxhaw.
“You get a lot of people who are drawn to the quaintness and the quietness of Waxhaw, but with growth comes its own issues," she said.
As growth comes to Waxhaw, community members want to know how the town plans to adjust. Waxhaw's Planning Director Lisa Thompson told WCNC Charlotte there are several plans.
"We work with outside agencies, including Union County Public Schools, Union County Public Works and CBOT, we want to make sure we have the infrastructure as we're moving forward,” Thompson said.
Not every proposed project is getting the "green light" from town leaders. the Polo Grounds project is not under review for Waxhaw.
"We did not receive a complete application for the Polo Grounds," Thompson said. "So that's not under consideration at this time.”
Waxhaw is one of the fastest-growing areas in North Carolina. Neighbors like Hoffman worry the rapid growth could build clusters throughout the area. Now, she’s questioning how city leaders will handle the rapid uptick of new homeowners.
"We don't have the industrial base to support great growth here," she said, "and no one wants to pay more in taxes than they can, so infrastructure depends upon the tax base."
Several community members described the growth in Waxhaw as "rapid" and "uncontrolled". However Thompson shares their data says otherwise.
"So folks would be surprised to learn that we three years ago, we're close to 400 new housing starts," she said. "This year from January through August, we've had 13. We expect that trend for the next two or three years."
WCNC Charlotte reached out to city leaders about the growth and its impact on Union County Public Schools. They sent us a statement saying in part, "We are steadfast in our commitment to working collaboratively with all stakeholders, including the UCPS and the BOE (Board of Education), to find sustainable solutions to our education system's challenges.”
WCNC Charlotte also reached out to the district about the ongoing growth. A spokesperson sent us a statement that reads, "The Union County Board of Education and UCPS staff will continue to monitor the development plans as discussions move forward and information is released."
Hoffman hopes there will be more community involvement with the ongoing developments.
“We want to keep the town small and maintain it, it's lovely, small-town America flavor,” she said.
The next public hearing in front of the board of commissioners for the proposal of the Adelina project is scheduled in November.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.