1 www.townofdavidson.org FALL 2021 DAVIDSON AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC The Town of Davidson has steadily been battling COVID-19 and its effects for over a year and half now. The community has taken steps to protect one another and to rally around our local businesses; it’s been inspiring to see! It’s critical that we all continue to do what we can to help keep our town safe moving forward. Here are a few things to keep in mind: • Please get vaccinated if you haven’t yet. There are several options for getting vaccinated right in town. Vaccines are safe, effective, and completely free. Learn more at www.townofdavidson.org/vaccine • If you’re eligible, get a booster shot. This can help further protect you. Vaccine boosters are available in our area, too! • Please be sure to follow all public health guidance and mandates regarding masking, social distancing, etc. These measures are in place for important reasons and will help us all get through this pandemic sooner if we heed them. • As you’re able, continue to support local businesses going into this holiday season. Our vibrant and unique local businesses are part of what make Davidson so special, and they still need our support to succeed! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO MAKE DAVIDSON A SAFE AND WONDERFUL COMMUNITY! YOUR G.O. BOND DOLLARS AT WORK! In 2017 and 2019, Davidson residents passed General Obligation bonds to support various projects in town. Here’s a quick rundown of where you’ll see some of these dollars at work over the next year or so: PUBLIC FACILITIES: First phase at 251 South Street to create the new Town Center should be complete by Summer 2022. Second Phase at current town hall to renovate the space to create a Public Safety building is slated to begin Summer 2022 and should finish in Summer 2023. HAWK SIGNALS: Locations at both Griffith St. roundabouts and East Rocky River where it intersects with the greenway should be installed by Summer 2022. DAVIDSON CONCORD ROAD/ROBERT WALKER DRIVE ROUNDABOUT: This project had been delayed as it is being constructed in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. It is now slated to begin in 2022. BEATY PARK: Work is underway and should be completed by Summer 2022. PLUM CREEK & FISHER FARM RESTROOMS: Both of these projects will be re-bid this winter to save on costs but are targeted to be completed by the end of 2022. KINCAID TRAIL: Design on this project is underway, and construction should be starting in 2022. MOBILITY PROJECTS PARKS PROJECTS GREENWAY PROJECTS
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1www.townofdavidson.org
FALL 2021
DAVIDSON AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMICThe Town of Davidson has steadily been battling COVID-19 and its effects for over a year and half now. The community has taken steps to protect one another and to rally around our local businesses; it’s been inspiring to see! It’s critical that we all continue to do what we can to help keep our town safe moving forward. Here are a few things to keep in mind: • Please get vaccinated if you haven’t yet. There are several
options for getting vaccinated right in town. Vaccines are safe, effective, and completely free. Learn more at www.townofdavidson.org/vaccine
• I f you’re eligible, get a booster shot. This can help further protect you. Vaccine boosters are available in our area, too!
• Please be sure to follow all public health guidance and mandates regarding masking, social distancing, etc. These measures are in place for important reasons and will help us all get through this pandemic sooner if we heed them.
• As you’re able, continue to support local businesses going into this holiday season. Our vibrant and unique local businesses are part of what make Davidson so special, and they still need our support to succeed!
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO MAKE DAVIDSON A SAFE AND WONDERFUL COMMUNITY!
YOUR G.O. BOND DOLLARS AT WORK!In 2017 and 2019, Davidson residents passed General Obligation bonds to support various projects in town. Here’s a quick rundown of where you’ll see some of these dollars at work over the next year or so:PUBLIC FACILITIES: First phase at 251 South Street to create the new Town Center should be complete by Summer 2022. Second Phase at current town hall to renovate the space to create a Public Safety building is slated to begin Summer 2022 and should finish in Summer 2023.
HAWK SIGNALS: Locations at both Griffith St. roundabouts and East Rocky River where it intersects with the greenway should be installed by Summer 2022. DAVIDSON CONCORD ROAD/ROBERT WALKER DRIVE ROUNDABOUT: This project had been delayed as it is being constructed in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. It is now slated to begin in 2022.
BEATY PARK: Work is underway and should be completed by Summer 2022. PLUM CREEK & FISHER FARM RESTROOMS: Both of these projects will be re-bid this winter to save on costs but are targeted to be completed by the end of 2022.
KINCAID TRAIL: Design on this project is underway, and construction should be starting in 2022.
DAVIDSON POLICE OFFICER CORPORAL ANTHONY BETTER RECOGNIZED BY LAKE NORMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS OFFICER OF THE YEAR
The Lake Norman Chamber recognized Davidson Police Corporal Anthony Better at an annual ceremony as Davidson Police Officer of the Year. Cpl. Better, a retired US Army veteran, joined the Davidson Police Department in July 2016, and he was promoted to Corporal in November 2019. He previously served with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Cpl. Better is one of the most positive people you will ever meet. Always kind and always quick with a dad joke or play on his last name. For example, “YOU MAY SPEND JUST A FEW MINUTES OR AN HOUR WITH ANTHONY, BUT YOU ALWAYS LEAVE BETTER FOR THE EXPERIENCE.”
Cpl. Better is a community minded person and will reach out to those in need at every opportunity. Anthony started the annual Cone with a Cop event in Davidson to promote child safety and build relationships with children. The event involves police, fire, and EMS personnel meeting kids, serving custard, face painting, and having an overall good time with public safety friends. This builds relationships with our youngest residents and their families in a fun and enjoyable environment.Anthony is bi-lingual (English and Spanish) and volunteers his time for translation for social service organizations and meetings. With Anthony’s help this year, the department held it first bilingual No Agenda Meeting. These are public meetings with the chief of police to find out how the department is doing their job and what we can do better for the residents and visitors of Davidson. Including a population that would feel left out due to a language barrier improves our reach into a community that is often fearful of police. This is another example of how Anthony expanded our relationship with residents through a positive interaction.Another of Anthony’s talents is reading. His favorite topic to read is anything in the 2–5-year-old age group! Anthony is a favorite reader at the Ada Jenkins La Escuelita BiLingual Preschool class where he recently led his patrol shift in securing donations of bottled water for the classes.Anthony’s generosity is far beyond the average. During the past 18 months, we had moments of staffing shortages due to illness or exposure to COVID-19. Cpl. Better was the first to volunteer to cover shifts and would also change shifts from days to nights to help fellow officers. His positivity and sacrifice are a testament to his lifetime commitment to duty and service to others, first as a US Soldier and now as a Davidson Police Officer.
SCAMS – THE GIFT THAT TAKES YEAR-ROUND!SCAMS TARGETING DAVIDSON RESIDENTS GENERALLY INCREASE AS THE HOLIDAYS APPROACH, BUT THERE ARE A FEW RULES TO FOLLOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF ALL YEAR:
1 Legitimate companies and banking institutions do not immediately need an answer – delaying a decision can save you from becoming a victim. Call the police if you suspect a scam and before giving money or confidential information. Never give money or information over the phone, and only use trusted internet sources. Call them back on a number you can confirm is legitimate, not the number they provide for a callback.
2 Amazon, Microsoft, Publisher’s Clearing House, and any other legitimate company or institution will NEVER want, or pressure you, to pay any amount of money using gift cards, Google Play cards, iTunes, or wire money to them. This tactic is common and increasing in frequency. If you hear any of these options, end the call immediately and block the number.
3 Government officials communicate first in writing – a police warrant is not served over the phone, and fines are not collected through gift cards. Do not purchase gift cards and give the card information to someone calling you. This is a common scam that, unfortunately, causes many people to become a victim.
4 Hang up the phone, block the number, and do not worry about hurt feelings – A common tactic is to appeal to a person’s good nature, politeness, and fear by insistence on purchasing to help them or lose an opportunity only available for a short time. The adage of “it sounds too good to be true” is what identifies a scam. Those situations don’t exist in a phone call deal, internet offer, and the only person it benefits is the criminal committing the scam.
5 Do not wire funds to anyone you don’t know personally or with whom you do not have a legitimate business relationship. Once you wire funds, the transaction is irreversible, and the bank will not reimburse you for any lost monies.
Please follow these simple rules to avoid being a victim. The complexities of technology today make investigative success extremely difficult, and often the offender is located in another country with no possibility of extradition. If you suspect it is a scam, trust your instincts, do not give money or information out, and call the police to report the contact.
COMING UP: DOWNTOWN SMALL AREA PLANThe Town of Davidson is developing a Downtown Small Area Plan that will use public input to help shape various design elements of our downtown. A small area plan is a set of specific strategies that aim to preserve or improve a specific area of town. Staff has been working with the Planning Board to develop the structure and scope of this project. We will have multiple opportunities for our residents to provide feedback during the months of November-January. We welcome your participation and look forward to incorporating many of our community members’ ideas into the plan.
CHRISTMAS IN DAVIDSON
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN TAKES STEP FORWARD The town has selected Onpointe Partners as the consultant to create a formal Affordable Housing Plan for the Town of Davidson. Onpointe Partners has over 70 years of combined experience in real estate consulting, development, and strategic consulting. This company has previously provided services for Union County, SC (Opportunity Zone Consulting), the City of Charlotte (Real Estate Consulting and Community Outreach and Engagement), and Winston-Salem (Community Outreach and Engagement), and their special focus areas include economic consulting and real estate research, community outreach and engagement, and residential real estate. The main goals of the Affordable Housing Plan moving forward will be to update the 2017 UNC-Charlotte Housing Assessment, establish Affordable Housing goals for rental and for sale units, identify funding opportunities and partnerships, recommend how to distribute payment-in-lieu funds, evaluate town-owned properties for highest and best use, and to identify and prioritize potential projects. The project kicked off in October, and data will be collected in November and December 2021. The implementation and action plan will ideally be developed early next year in February and March 2022, with the final recommendation and wrap up targeted for March or April 2022. Public engagement is anticipated to occur beginning in November 2021 throughout the entire process until April 2022, so please keep an eye out for opportunities to provide feedback.
This year’s Christmas in Davidson will be held December 2-4 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. nightly. All activities will be held outside. We encourage all attendees to observe COVID-19 protocols. Main Street will be closed from Concord Road to South Street to allow for pedestrians to spread out and enjoy the holiday fun. We hope that you will enjoy food from your favorite Davidson restaurant, shop in your favorite Davidson store, and listen to your favorite holiday music at this year’s festivities.
For more information and a full list of activities, please visit www.christmasindavidson.com.
For dates and times of upcoming public input opportunities, please visit www.townofdavidson.org/
FIRE DEPARTMENT EARNS FEMA FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANTBack in late August, the fire department received notification that we had been awarded a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fire Prevention and Safety Grant for the FY2020 grant process. The grant award was in the amount of $34,535.24. This grant will be utilized to contract with a consultant to assist with developing a Community Risk Assessment along with the Standards of Cover.
NEW BUSINESS OPENINGPlease welcome Grow, A Plant Shop, to 202 S. Main Street, Suite C. Grow is located next to Ben & Jerry’s and carries a collection of indoor plants, gardening supplies and gift items.
The Community Risk Assessment (CRA) is an all-hazards assessment that looks at the fire department and the community it serves. CRA is a participatory process for assessing hazards, vulnerabilities, risks, the ability to cope, coping strategies, and finally, a risk reduction options implementation plan by the local community. This process not only looks at the Davidson Fire Department and the systems we have in place to effectively serve the residents, but also looks at the community as a whole and identifies potential threats, risks, and hazards. This allows not only the fire department but the entire Town of Davidson organization to plan and prepare for these hazards. Another benefit of the CRA is that it
provides guidance or a “blueprint” for future growth of the organization by identifying staffing, equipment, apparatus, and program needs. The CRA is an effective resource for ensuring that the fire department is meeting the current needs of the residents and also planning and preparing for future needs.A Standards of Cover (SoC) consists of decisions made regarding the placement of field resources in relation to the potential demand placed on them by the type of risk and historical needs of the community. The outcome must demonstrate that lives are saved and properties are protected. The SOC builds off the Community Risk Assessment to look more internally at
the organization. The SOC looks at the fire department internally to ensure that the organization is providing services as effectively as outlined by the organization.The department is very excited about the process we are about to undertake. This will be a very comprehensive process that will take up to four months to complete. There will be a tremendous amount of work that is required from not only the consultants, but the fire department as well. The outcome of this report will help provide guidance moving forward to ensure that the Davidson Fire Department is meeting the future needs of our citizens and visitors of the town.
FALL SAFETY TIPS FROM DAVIDSON FIREAS THE SEASON BEGINS TO CHANGE AND WE TRANSITION INTO COOLER WEATHER, THE DAVIDSON FIRE DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO OFFER SOME SAFETY TIPS:
1 Perform a monthly battery check on all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This will ensure the detector will perform properly if needed.
2 The fire department recommends the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in residential structures that utilize natural gas as either a primary or secondary source of fuel supply.
3 The department recommends checking all HVAC units before cold weather arrives. This is especially important on units that are powered by natural gas. Incomplete combustion of natural gas can lead to the production of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can go undetected unless the residence is equipped with a carbon monoxide detector.
4 If your home is equipped with a fireplace and traditional chimney, the fire department recommends having a certified chimney sweep inspect your fireplace and chimney before you light the first fire of the cold season. This will help reduce the chances of chimney fires that could occur.
5 Historically, the United States sees an increase in residential structure fires and fire related deaths during cold weather months. It is especially important for homeowners to review their emergency evacuation plans to ensure that all family members know what to do if a fire occurs. Planning in advance of potential emergencies usually helps lead to successful outcomes.
ASK THE ARBORIST: REMEMBER TO AVOID VOLCANO MULCHING NOW!A common mistake homeowners and landscape crews make is building too much mulch around the base of their trees, known as volcano mulching. This practice has stressed and killed more trees than you might think. The over mulching process holds excess moisture on the trunks of trees where they are not designed to have it. Their response to having this new level of dirt and mulch around the base of the tree is to push new roots out above the old root flare in an attempt to support itself. This new growth diverts energy from the actual supporting structure to the production of the new ones, weakening the trees footprint as the rest of it grows. The original root structure is also what gives the tree most of its water and nutrients. The disruption of this process is catastrophic.The proper way to mulch around your trees is to only introduce 2-3 inches of mulch around the trunk extending out to the edge of the outer most branches where possible. The root flair should remain visible. The root flair is the area where the trunk meets the soil and starts to build wood outward creating its support structure. If you go outside to look at your trees and do not see a flare, you have either planted the tree too deep or buried it with too much mulch. Take a spring rake or a small hand tool to excavate the soil down to where you can see the flare and gently slope the soil away from the trunk, doing your best not to damage the tree. After you create the new grade, place a thin layer of mulch around the tree. Having this zone of protection around the tree keeps lawnmowers and weed whackers away from the critical parts of the tree as it matures. If you are not sure about what this process looks like, call an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture)- certified arborist to coach you through the process or have a reputable tree care company perform the work for you. An important thing to remember is that when you add more mulch the next season you should also remove some of the old material so you don’t find yourself burying it again.
For more information on how to properly mulch and set your trees up for success, visit extension.psu.edu/mulching-landscape-trees.
PARKS AND RECREATION UPDATESGOVERNMENT OPERATIONS GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY RESULTSDavidson’s Sustainability Committee continues to implement the Sustainability Framework adopted by the Board of Commissioners in the spring of 2021. In August, the first greenhouse gas inventory was completed for Town of Davidson government operations. Emission data from 2019 was compiled from sectors including: buildings, vehicle fleet, streetlights, employee commute, and solid waste. In order to successfully manage greenhouse gases, it is imperative that emissions are accurately measured. This benchmark inventory identifies all emission sources, can inform decision makers, and will monitor reduction progress. Davidson town staff, a Davidson College Sustainability Scholar Intern, and the Sustainability Committee helped lead this effort.
NEXT STEPS INCLUDE:FOCUS on high-impact reductions to achieve 2037 carbon neutrality goal for municipal operationsTRACK progress with on-going greenhouse gas data collectionCONDUCT a community-wide greenhouse gas inventory for baseline dataCOMMISSION a comprehensive Climate Action Plan
Additional information is available on the Sustainability webpage: www.townofdavidson.org/sustainabilty
Stay connected with Parks & Recreation and sign up for our bulletin
at www.townofdavidson.org/parksandrecreation
For more information or to register, visit www.townofdavidson.org/dpr.
NEW FACES IN TOWNAUSTIN NANTZ ADMINISTRATION
Austin comes to Davidson to serve as Assistant Town Manager following 22 years working for the City of Charlotte. During her tenure there, she worked in various roles and departments from large operating departments such as the Fire Department and Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) to most recently working in the Innovation and Technology Department. She has held roles as administrative services manager, human resources manager, and budget manager. Austin has considerable experience in the areas of strategic planning, project management, department and employee supervision, budgeting, organizational effectiveness, and process design and improvement. A native of Sanford, NC, Austin completed her undergraduate degree in politics at Converse University in Spartanburg, SC and then earned a
Masters of Public Administration from the University of Georgia. She lives in Charlotte with her husband, Shane, and golden retriever, Teddy. Her son, Price, is a rising junior at UNC Chapel Hill. Austin loves spending time at the beach, reading (usually several books at a time), and anything related to history.
GARY THACKER PUBLIC WORKS
The town recently hired a new arborist to join the Davidson Public Works team. Gary Thacker has been in the tree care industry for 22 years and brings a wealth of knowledge to our community. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, as well as a TCIA Certified Tree Safety Professional. Gary can support our residents with all things tree related! He is excited to be here to help our community care for one of its treasured resources.
DAVID ANDRAS POLICE
David Andras graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2007 with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance. After 14 years working in Connecticut and North Carolina in Financial Services, David is elated to finally pursue his lifelong dream to serve the community as a police officer. David has a sincere passion for helping all people and considers it a great privilege and responsibility to serve and protect the residents of Davidson. David and his wife Jenna met and lived in the northeast until 2014 when they relocated to Charlotte for work. Now married for nearly 10 years, they currently live and attend church in nearby Huntersville. David likes to spend his downtime exercising and taking trips to NC beaches with Jenna and their two dogs. During David’s finance career, he traveled to India several times and has a deep appreciation for Indian food and culture.
WALK TO SCHOOL DAY
On October 6, over 300 Davidson students participated in Walk and Bike to School Day. Each school participated following safety guidelines.
WE NEED YOU
Do you have a hobby, talent or experience you would like to share with others? We are always looking for new and interesting programs to offer our community members! Email us at [email protected].
PARKS AND RECREATION AWARDED FIRST PARTF GRANT
The Town of Davidson was awarded a PARTF (Parks and Recreation Trust Fund) Grant for the first time. The award totals $285,000 for the Beaty Park Project which is projected to begin construction in December. Construction is expected to take approximately seven months with a completion date around June/July 2022. The Beaty Park Project was recognized by the Park Authority for the property’s natural resources and the plan’s preservation of trees. The PARTF Grant recipients are chosen by the Park Authority, a citizen board appointed by the Governor, based on the quality of planning, public involvement in the planning process, recreation facilities provided, quality of site with respect to its surroundings, quality of park land to be acquired, and the applicant's ability to operate and maintain the park project.
ADOPT-A-GRANDFRIEND PROGRAM
This program pairs Davidson College students with mature adults in the Lake Norman community to create mutually beneficial inter-generational friendships.
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY TASK FORCE OFFERS RECOMMENDATIONSThe Pedestrian Safety Task Force was created by the Davidson Board of Commissioners in Summer 2021 in response to the tragic pedestrian fatality that occurred on Main Street on June 17, 2021. This incident, along with previous devastating fatalities, injuries, and close calls, served as a catalyst for the town board to call for a task force to look at pedestrian safety, specifically pedestrian and vehicle conflicts.THE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY TASK FORCE’S CHARGE INCLUDED:
1 Reviewing past progress and recommendations from previous studies, including the recently adopted Mobility Plan 2 Engaging with public safety and other town staff to receive valuable input 3 Soliciting feedback from the wider community to broaden the discussion and encourage new ideas 4 Identifying short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals and solutions for pedestrian safety 5 Providing recommendations for priority pedestrian infrastructure improvementsThe task force members worked diligently over several months looking at education, enforcement, and engineering solutions that may help alleviate safety concerns for pedestrians across town.
WHAT’S THE LATEST ON THAT PROJECT?MENTAL HEALTH TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYSThe holidays can bring about many mental health challenges. If you feel you are struggling, here are some coping tips you can use to manage your increased levels of anxiety, stress and sadness:
The town received bids for the installation of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, also known as HAWK signals, for the Griffith Street roundabout crosswalks. The HAWK beacons will replace the existing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons which will be relocated to other intersections in town. HAWK signals include a traffic signal head which displays a red light when the button is pushed by a pedestrian waiting to cross. Griffith Street is the highest vehicle traffic volume street in town, and the HAWK signals will be an important pedestrian improvement. The lead time on the beacon’s equipment is around 6 months, so it will be about 8 months before the improvements are complete.
The Town of Davidson is currently resurfacing in the “North of Griffith” area. Streets to be resurfaced include a portion of Griffith Street, Jetton Street, Peninsula Drive, Jackson Street, Watson Street, Houston Street, Lakeside Avenue, Westside Terrace, Park Drive, Spinnaker Court, Jib Court, Windward Drive, Spinnaker Cove Drive, Catawba Avenue, and Southeast Drive.2021 is year 1 of a 5-year paving plan. The town will be working west to east through town, resurfacing streets that are in the worst condition.
The town sold its water and sewer system to Charlotte Water (then Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities Department) in the 1970s, and they operate as a utility in town, like Duke Power. Charlotte Water is now nearing completion of a water main line upgrade project which has impacted Davidson’s west side for almost a year now. Final paving is taking place on Beaty Street, Sloan Street, Gamble Street, Potts Street, and West Walnut Street and should be complete by the end of November. The upgraded water line will provide more reliable fire hydrant flows and better water quality for this area of town.
On October 4, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Waste Management, along with the Environmental Protection Agency and Town of Davidson, co-hosted an online public information meeting to discuss the redevelopment plans of the Davidson Depot property located at 301 Depot Street. This meeting opened a 30-day public comment period. Moving forward, the redevelopment plans include providing a long-term solution to the environmental concern for the property; such a permanent solution can only be achieved through development. The redevelopment plans also calls for adaptive use and historic preservation of the mill itself and would present new economic opportunities for the town and the neighborhood.
Work has begun on a crosswalk located on Main Street between Concord Road and Chairman Blake Lane. This crosswalk will provide a safer crossing location in this heavy pedestrian volume area. The expected completion date is October 29, 2021.
GREY ROAD: This sidewalk section will provide a safe walking path along Grey Road from Wolfe Street to Concord Road. The project is about 75% complete with a projected completion date of November 26, 2021. We have encountered extensive underground utilities during the project which has slowed construction.BEATY STREET: The town has completed sidewalk construction along Beaty Street from the Oakhill Apartments to North Main Street.DELBURG STREET AND CATAWBA AVENUE: The town is finalizing designs for sidewalk construction on these 2 infill sidewalk projects, filling in gaps along these streets to form a complete sidewalk. The anticipated start date is February 2022.
PEDESTRIAN HYBRID BEACONS
ASBESTOS/BROWNFIELDS AGREEMENT
DOWNTOWN MID-BLOCK CROSSING
STREET PAVING CHARLOTTE WATER - WATER LINE PROJECT
SIDEWALK PROJECTS:
MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness can be a valuable mental wellness tool. Certain practices can be particularly helpful if you are traveling or running on an unusual schedule. If you’re new to mindfulness, there are many resources on the internet as well as a few local providers. DON’T RELY ON DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America recommends avoiding drugs and alcohol for comfort. While the prospect of escape can be appealing, substance use can ultimately worsen your issues. When you feel you need a relaxation aid, you can instead turn to a mindfulness practice or other healthy coping mechanism.SOAK UP THE SUN
Exposure to bright lights, including fluorescent lights, can help ease symptoms of depression. Even for those without depression, walking outside in the sun can be an effective centering and calming tool. SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Another major source of anxiety, stress and depression around the holidays can be examining accomplishments from the past year. Some may experience negative feelings over not being at a place they feel they “should be” in life. Adjust your expectation and set realistic goals. Managing mental illness is always challenging, but it can be particularly difficult during the holiday season. While the struggle can feel isolating, remember that you are not alone.
You can view the task force’s list of formal recommendations presented to the board at www.townofdavidson.org/pedestriansafetytaskforce.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTSHOKE MASTER PLAN The developer of the former Hoke Lumber site continued to advance through the review process, seeking approval for their construction documents in the fall of 2021. As part of that iterative process, they conducted further public engagement regarding the proposed park and open space design. On September 13, the project team hosted a drop-in, on-site engagement event for stakeholders to share their thoughts through a variety of activities. Around 25 participants attended and delivered feedback through written comments, picture-voting, prioritization exercises, and discussion. Many of the participants were from the West Davidson neighborhood, and the developer intends for the project to include a number of features recognizing this long-time Davidson business and the many residents and community members who contributed to its prosperity.
PLANNING UPDATEMOBILITY PLAN TEXT AMENDMENTS
The Davidson Mobility Plan, adopted by the Board of Commissioners in 2019, is a local comprehensive transportation plan that provides a town-wide vision and coordinated recommendations for multi-modal travel and access within and through town. As part of plan implementation, the Mobility Plan Subcommittee (composed of several members of the Planning and Livability Boards) annually reviews the plan and makes recommendations to the board for priority projects and policies. To implement the recommended policies, changes to the Davidson Planning Ordinance (DPO) were required. These “Mobility Plan Text Amendments” included updating standards for sidewalks, pedestrian crosswalks, advisory shoulders, and multi-use paths (including greenways and sidepaths). The board approved these DPO changes at their October meeting.
Check out the full Mobility Plan here: www.townofdavidson.org/mobilityplan
For more information, please visit the project website: www.townofdavidson.org/hokemasterplan
For more information, please visit the project website: www.townofdavidson.org/riverrunsix
For more information, please visit the project website: www.townofdavidson.org/davidsonwood
HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN UPDATE
Development of Davidson's first town-wide historic preservation plan is well underway. The plan will serve as a guide for proactive preservation decision-making over the next 10-15 years by developing goals, strategies, and an overall vision for historic preservation in town. Public outreach to date has included a citizen survey that was available for six weeks in April/May, ongoing stakeholder interviews, and focus group meetings held in early August on the following topics: 1) Neighborhood Preservation, 2) Downtown Issues, 3) Rural/ETJ Preservation, 4) Historic Preservation Processes, and 5) Storytelling. There will be additional opportunities for public involvement in the coming months through public workshops and focus group meetings. As soon as a draft plan is available for review, there will also be a public comment period.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT UPDATE
At the September Board of Commissioners work session, Planning Director Jason Burdette, Senior Planner Trey Akers, and Planning Board Vice Chair Shawn Copeland provided an update on the Planning Board Committee’s (PBC) recommendations on growth management strategies. This update built upon feedback received from the board in April 2021 and December 2020, as well as the two public input sessions last fall. The board directed the creation of the PBC and its charge to work with staff on various growth management initiatives.The PBC recommended a primary growth management strategy of codifying the Growth Management Framework and adopting the Utility Service and Annexation Criteria (USAC) from the Davidson Comprehensive Plan (www.townofdavidson.org/comprehensiveplan). This includes revising the master plan development process located in DPO Section 14 to include additional opportunities for public input on the front-end of proposed projects as well as specific checkpoints for decision-making throughout the master plan process. These updated processes would work together with the USAC to ensure that development decisions would be made using the same data points.At the meeting, the board supported the direction of revising the development processes but acknowledged that the USAC needs more refinement. The PBC will continue to work on both and will provide an update to the board in early 2022.
Updates will be posted to the Historic Preservation Plan webpage: www.townofdavidson.org/historicpreservationplan.
RIVER RUN PHASE 6: At their September work session, the Davidson Board of Commissioners approved water/sewer extension to the +/- 51-acre site located at 18500 Shearer Road. The project proposes 90 units, including 58 single-family detached house units and 32 attached house units. The project includes a park, series of open spaces, and a number of multi-use path facilities. The next step is for the project to complete a Transportation Impact Analysis (fall 2021) followed by a Public Input Session (winter 2021-22).
DAVIDSON WOOD, PHASE 2: Developer Nate Bowman has acquired the long-planned Phase 2 of the Davidson Wood community. Situated on +/- 31 acres, Phase 2 includes 41 single-family homes, 40 percent open space, a greenway connector to the Kincaid Trail, and vehicular linkages to Davidson Wood, Phase 1 to the north (via Samuel Spencer Parkway) and Bailey Springs to the south (via Bradford Park Drive and Park Terrace Lane). Neighborhood connectivity is an integral requirement of the Davidson Planning Ordinance and provides mobility options for all users. Revisions to the previously-approved construction drawings are underway this fall. Construction should follow shortly after approval.
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REMINDER: Davidson Board of Commissioners meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. More info at
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RECORDATORIO: VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL DEL TOWN MESSAGE DISPONIBLE AHORA
REMINDER: SPANISH VERSION OF TOWN MESSAGE NOW AVAILABLE
Please note that the Town Message is now available in Spanish!
For those wanting a Spanish version, copies are available at the Davidson Public Library and the Ada Jenkins Center or on the town’s website here: www.townofdavidson.org/spanishnewsletter.
The town aims to provide accommodations whenever possible for those residents for whom English is a second language. The town employs several bilingual individuals, including police officers, who are willing and able to help answer questions or provide translation for residents. To reach these individuals, simply call the main phone line for town hall at 704-892-7591 or email [email protected].
¡Les informamos que el Town Message ya está disponible en español!
Para los que quieren una versión en español, hay copias disponibles en la Biblioteca Pública de Davidson y en el Ada Jenkins Center o en la página web de la ciudad aquí: www.townofdavidson.org/spanishnewsletterLa ciudad tiene como objetivo proporcionar acomodaciones cuando sea posible para aquellos residentes para quienes el inglés es un segundo idioma. La ciudad emplea a varias personas bilingües, incluyendo oficiales de policía, que pueden ayudar a responder sus preguntas. Para comunicarse con estas personas, llame al 704-892-7591 o envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected]..
