This page loads all general category posts.
Waxhaw’s Taxes, Growth and Debt
The Waxhaw Board of Commissioners spent much of its August 25 work session looking several years into the future—and the financial picture presented to the board made one thing clear: Waxhaw has some significant choices ahead. The meeting focused on the town’s five-year capital improvement plan, its cash position and fund balance, the cost of…
UCPS Affordability: What Are the Priorities?
Waxhaw parents – if you want to understand the current controversy surrounding UCPS budget priorities, look at two numbers: $3.8 million. $200,000. The first is the amount the Union County Board of County Commissioners offered specifically for teacher and teacher-assistant pay increases, contingent on an interlocal agreement. The second is approximately what UCPS says it…
Continue Reading UCPS Affordability: What Are the Priorities?
Prayer, Data Centers, School Safety
The August 11 meeting of the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners was one of the more consequential meetings this year. It began with the return of prayer in Waxhaw town government for the first time since 2019 and ended more than two and a half hours later with discussion about traffic safety at Waxhaw Elementary School.…
Transportation, School Safety, and Planning for Waxhaw’s Future
The Waxhaw BOC meeting July 28, 2026 focused on transportation, public safety, and long-term planning. While no major votes took place, the discussion revealed how the Board is preparing for important decisions in the coming months. From regional transportation funding to school traffic safety and future infrastructure projects, the evening showed that today’s planning will…
Continue Reading Transportation, School Safety, and Planning for Waxhaw’s Future
Exploring Public Invocation Policy
At the June 23 Board of Commissioners Work Session, one of the most thoughtful discussions centered on whether the Town of Waxhaw should begin offering an opening invocation before regular Board meetings. Contrary to what some might assume, the discussion was not about establishing an official town prayer or endorsing any particular religion. Instead, the…
Right-Sized Budget
The Waxhaw Board of Commissioners adopted a right-sized budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 during its June 9 meeting, approving a spending plan that preserves essential services, funds critical road projects, maintains the current property tax rate, and reduces spending by more than half a million dollars from the Town Manager’s original recommendation. The budget vote…
Transparency Preserved, Budget Savings Requested
The May 26 meeting of the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners focused on two major themes shaping the future of Waxhaw government: preserving transparency in the development approval process and increasing pressure on town staff to identify additional budget savings ahead of the FY 2026-27 budget adoption. The meeting included lengthy discussion surrounding the Waxhaw public…
Continue Reading Transparency Preserved, Budget Savings Requested
Waxhaw Remembered
The May 12th meeting of the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners covered a wide range of topics — from local history and Revolutionary War reenactments to development code reform, transportation safety grants, and concerns about private infrastructure in future subdivisions. While there was no public comment period participation this month, the meeting itself featured several substantive…
Rehobeth Relief
Tuesday night’s Board of Commissioners meeting covered a lot of ground – from long-awaited traffic solutions to capital improvement updates that will shape Waxhaw’s growth for years to come. Here are the highlights. A Practical Step Toward Fixing a Frustrating Intersection The Board was agreeable on a structured agreement with Pulte Homes, tied to the…
Better Communications, Better Outcomes
The Waxhaw Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting on April 14, 2026 proceeded as a steady, methodical approach to governance. From better communications to infrastructure concerns, the Board focused on making informed decisions while improving transparency and efficiency. Public Input and the Fluoridation Discussion Residents spoke on the issue of water fluoridation during public comments, sharing…
Waxhaw Is Turning the Corner
For a long time, residents have been asking for the same things: real planning, transparency, and results—not just talk. At the March 24th meeting, it was clear that Waxhaw is turning the corner. This Board is listening more closely, asking tougher questions, and focusing on delivering the kind of progress our town has been waiting…
Recognitions, Transportation, and Waxhaw Water Supply Safety
The Waxhaw Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, March 10, to consider recognitions, transportation initiatives, and updates from the town’s annual retreat. The agenda was amended at the start of the meeting to add a discussion regarding Waxhaw water supply safety. Public Comments Residents raised several issues during public comments. One speaker thanked town departments and…
Continue Reading Recognitions, Transportation, and Waxhaw Water Supply Safety
Grants, Growth, and the Real Cost to Serve
The Waxhaw Board of Commissioners held a lengthy work session on February 24, 2026, covering topics ranging from honoring a World War II veteran to multimillion-dollar infrastructure commitments and long-standing questions about growth and fiscal sustainability. While no formal votes were taken — as this was a work session — several discussions preview significant financial…
Our Wall Begins at the Ballot Box
Early voting is underway, and Election Day is March 3rd. For Waxhaw residents, this Union County primary may be one of the most consequential elections we participate in — not because it will draw national headlines, but because turnout will be low. In elections like this, a relatively small number of votes can determine who…
New Waxhaw Board Puts Residents First
At the February 10 Waxhaw Board of Commissioners meeting, one principle guided the evening’s decisions: Residents First. Commissioner Farris was absent due to the birth of his son, Connor. Congratulations to the Farris family. Legislative Priorities Structured Around Residents’ Interests The Board unanimously approved a focused list of legislative priorities divided into two categories: Policy…
A Fresh Format and a Focused Future
A Strong Start to Our New Work Session Format Last night marked an exciting milestone for the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners as we held the first work session under our new meeting schedule for the year. Instead of two regular meetings each month, the board will now hold one regular meeting and one dedicated work…
Waxhaw’s Board Gets to Work
Last night’s Waxhaw Board of Commissioners meeting opened with a small but telling moment of confusion—one that ultimately underscored the importance of process and clarity. Consent Agenda Confusion Clarified Early in the meeting, a proposed 2026 schedule change appeared on the consent agenda, despite the fact that the board had already voted on and approved…
Be There as Residents Reclaim Our Town
Join us as we reclaim our town at the first meeting of the newly seated Board of Commissioners – scheduled for Tuesday, December 9 at 6 PM. This historic meeting will include the official swearing-in of the new commissioners, marking the start of a new term of leadership for Waxhaw. This is an important moment…
Rushed Votes and False Victories: Waxhaw November 10 BOC Meeting
The Waxhaw November 10 BOC meeting marked the final session for the three holdover commissioners from the previous board—Commissioners Hall, McMillon, and Wesolek. Their replacements will be sworn in at the December 9th meeting, shifting Waxhaw’s leadership into a new phase. But before departing, the holdovers pressed through one last controversial action: a vote on…
Continue Reading Rushed Votes and False Victories: Waxhaw November 10 BOC Meeting
The Waxhaw Wallop 2.0
Tonight marks a turning point for Waxhaw – The Waxhaw Wallop 2.0 – much like the first Waxhaw Wallop. Voters have spoken loud and clear — choosing stable growth, stable taxes, and most importantly, residents first. With the election of Daniel Farris (1,644 votes, 21.61%), Michael De Iulio (1,623 votes, 21.33%), and John Gemignani (1,619…
Vote for Full Representation — Vote Waxhaw Wall 2.0
It’s Election Day in Waxhaw, and the forecast couldn’t be better — perfect weather to get out and make your voice heard. Local elections decide who will shape Waxhaw’s future on issues that matter most: growth, roads, taxes, and transparency. The Waxhaw Wall 2.0 team is committed to restoring balance and full representation to our…
Continue Reading Vote for Full Representation — Vote Waxhaw Wall 2.0
When Three Votes is Not Enough
At our October 28th Board of Commissioners meeting, something important happened — not just about parking spaces, but about process, fairness, and respect for the rules that keep our local government transparent. During a discussion about a new parking configuration downtown, Commissioner Hall attempted to introduce and push through his own design on the spot.…
The Waxhaw Wall 2.0: Building Accountability Brick by Brick
Last night’s Facebook Live event for The Waxhaw Wall 2.0 brought together candidates who are committed to building accountability. The 2.0 team made it clear: it’s time to give the people of Waxhaw the power to recall elected officials who betray the public trust. A Push to Modernize the Town Charter During the broadcast, the…
Continue Reading The Waxhaw Wall 2.0: Building Accountability Brick by Brick
Facebook Live with The Waxhaw Wall 2.0
Join us online on Sunday October 26th from 6pm till 7pm for a Waxhaw Wall 2.0 Facebook Live session with Mike, Dan, and John. Live streaming from Dan’s candidate page.
Waxhaw’s Pinocchio Report
In recent months, a wave of falsehoods has swept through Waxhaw — a toxic mix of rumor, fabrication, and deliberate misrepresentation. The people behind these lies, hiding behind anonymous social media accounts and candidates without a conscience, have shown that when you have no vision, lies and attacks are all that’s left. Here’s the Pinocchio…
Our Achievements – Outvoted, Not Overruled
What We’ve Achieved Together Since you entrusted us with the honor of serving this community, we’ve taken bold action to bring honesty, transparency, and accountability back to Waxhaw. We were outvoted not overruled. Exposing Dishonesty From the start, we challenged the previous administration’s false claims. They tried to convince the public that opposing high-density rezoning…
A Song for Waxhaw
Inspired by Hank Williams Jr.’s “A Country Boy Can Survive,” this local version celebrates the town’s small-town charm, its landmarks, and the community spirit that makes it special. From Mary O’Neil’s pub to Queens South pizza, from Cane Creek to the Waxhaw Museum, “Waxhaw Will Survive” pays tribute to the people and places that define…
Millbridge Meet and Greet
Meet and greet The Waxhaw Wall 2.0 at the gazebo across the street from the clubhouse – Sunday October 5th from 3pm – 5pm.
Queens South Meet and Greet
Queens South Meet and Greet for The Waxhaw Wall 2.0 – Friday October 3rd.
Lame Ducks Sell Out Waxhaw
The Olivia project in Waxhaw was forced through last night by three lame duck commissioners. They approved 302 apartments, even lowering the town’s parking standards to please the developer. Residents United, Commissioners Divided Citizens filled the room and spoke out against the plan. Commissioners Wedra and Daunt stood with them. Wedra moved to deny the…
Diversity Without Integrity is Chaos
Principles Over Empty “Diversity” True leadership isn’t about chasing “diversity” for its own sake, but about championing excellence in decision-making. A mix of good and bad ideas may technically be diverse, but it is not progress. Waxhaw deserves leaders who stand for integrity, clarity, and accountability. Corruption is never a matter for compromise—leaders must have…
Meet The Waxhaw Wall 2.0 Every Weekend
Join The Waxhaw Wall 2.0 every Saturday morning from 9am till noon at the Waxhaw Farmer’s Market! Meet candidates Michael De Iulio, Dan Farris, and John Gemignani, who are ready to bring stable, resident-focused leadership to Waxhaw. Chat with them about their vision for responsible growth and preserving our town’s charm. If this day and…
Waxhaw Overdevelopment in the News
WCNC Charlotte reported on the egregious overdevelopment decisions in Waxhaw.
Update on Development Approvals
When we were first elected as The Waxhaw Wall, we shared a map clarifying which developments had already been approved before we took office. That way, when residents saw construction begin, they would know these projects were not decisions made under our watch. Since then, additional projects have been approved, despite our “no” votes, by…
Trusted Leadership, Endorsed by Neighbors
The Waxhaw Wall is about protecting our town from reckless growth and putting residents first. Our candidates believe in stable growth, smarter spending, and leaders who answer to you—not developers. In this video, you’ll hear why they’re stepping up to serve and from neighbors who know they’re the right choice. Together, we’re building a wall…
The Planning Board: Guardrails, Not Green Lights
Waxhaw’s Planning Board—where current planning board members Daniel Farris and John Gemignani serve—is a carefully structured, appointed body established under North Carolina law (G.S. 160D-301) to provide technical and advisory input on land-use matters. Its remit includes reviewing and recommending updates to the comprehensive plan, evaluating zoning proposals for consistency, and offering preliminary feedback on…
Continue Reading The Planning Board: Guardrails, Not Green Lights
Three Chairs Empty, One Developer Smiling
Waxhaw Deserves Better: Development Loyalists Abandon Their Post Tuesday’s Waxhaw Board of Commissioners meeting was supposed to be a pivotal moment for our town. The 315-unit Olivia development — yet another high-density residential project — was up for a vote. Residents packed Town Hall, ready to speak their minds. But the vote never happened. Why?…
Waxhaw’s Crossroads: The Urgent Need to Rebalance Our Tax Base
Property taxes have been on many residents’ minds lately, and the conversation often focuses on cutting costs or tightening the budget. But there’s another powerful way a town can keep taxes in check, by shaping development to create a balanced and diversified tax base.
Continue Reading Waxhaw’s Crossroads: The Urgent Need to Rebalance Our Tax Base
De IULIO, FARRIS, and GEMIGNANI Speak Out On Commissioners’ Baseless Attack and a Controversial Rezoning Consideration
Waxhaw Commissioner candidates MICHAEL De IULIO, DAN FARRIS, and JOHN GEMIGNANI are already demonstrating the leadership and resolve the community needs.
Conditional Rezoning – What It Means for Waxhaw
Next Tuesday, July 22nd at 6:30 PM, the Town of Waxhaw will hold a public hearing regarding a proposed conditional rezoning of 33 acres located east of NC-16 and north of Waxhaw Parkway East.
Continue Reading Conditional Rezoning – What It Means for Waxhaw
Mayor Murray Speaks
After a particularly tense and revealing budget meeting, Mayor Murray sat down with Josh and Leigh of The Kingdom Blueprint Podcast. In an open and honest conversation, he spoke candidly about the dynamics behind the scenes, unpacked the issues that led to the standoff, explained the rationale behind his display of frustration, and reaffirmed his…
The Waxhaw Wall 2.0
We’re proud to announce that three outstanding citizens—Michael De Iulio, Dan Farris, and John Gemignani—have stepped up to run for Waxhaw Town Commissioner as part of The Waxhaw Wall team in 2025 – The Waxhaw Wall 2.0. (Click here for meet and greet events) When The Waxhaw Wall first ran in 2023, it was for…
Waxhaw’s Budget Hostage Crisis
At Tuesday night’s Waxhaw Board of Commissioners meeting, something deeply cynical happened—something every taxpayer should know about. Our Town’s finances were held hostage by a desperate political majority – Waxhaw’s Budget Hostage Crisis. Commissioner Susanna Wedra and I (Commissioner Richard Daunt) stood united for a revenue-neutral tax rate of 26.2 cents for the 2025–2026 budget.…
One Sentence. One Fix. Pass HB24
Time Is Running Out: Pass HB24 and Restore Local Zoning Control Before the Legislature Adjourns House Bill 24 would reverse the SB 382 damaging ban on downzoning — but it’s stuck in committee with only three days left. Click here to skip to the call to action with email lists and sample emails. In 2024,…
When Legislators Prostitute Themselves to Special Interests
North Carolina Senate Bill 382 began as a disaster relief bill, a widely supported and necessary measure to help our State recover from Hurricane Helene. But in a stunning act of political deceit, a last-minute provision was quietly slipped in to strip local governments of their zoning authority. This bait-and-switch tactic, buried inside an emergency relief bill, is…
Continue Reading When Legislators Prostitute Themselves to Special Interests
Death by a Thousand Bills
Sick of hearing about the latest attack on local control by our state legislators? So am I – but here’s another one from our out-of-control government in Raleigh. Death by a Thousand Bills. North Carolina House Bill 661, just today rammed through its final House vote, is a dangerous giveaway to developers and industry—at the…
SB 205: The Pool Bill That Drowns Local Control
SB 205 – Legislation that started as a bill to deregulate private swimming pools is now being used as a trojan horse to continue the attack on local government that was exacerbated by HB 765. SB 205 doesn’t just tweak pool rules. It amends Chapter 160D — the same statutes HB 765 targeted — to prohibit local governments…
Continue Reading SB 205: The Pool Bill That Drowns Local Control
Waxhaw Budget Download
Transparency and accessibility are essential—especially when it comes to how your tax dollars are being spent. With the June 10th public hearing on the proposed FY 2025–2026 town budget approaching, I’ve taken the time to configure a simplified, filterable version of the full budget spreadsheet – the Waxhaw Budget Download. This version removes unnecessary formatting…
Our Youth Step Up
Last night at the Waxhaw Town Hall, some quiet but powerful moments unfolded that should give every Union County resident a renewed sense of hope. At the latest meeting of the Western Union Municipal Alliance, two young citizens—Ella Adams of Mineral Springs and Joel Down of Wesley Chapel—stood up to speak to state Representatives David…
Raleigh’s Land Grab
Since our initial discussion of House Bill 765 (HB 765) in April, the legislation has undergone revisions. While some controversial provisions have been removed, the bill still poses significant challenges to local governance, particularly for towns like Waxhaw. North Carolina House Bill 765 — misleadingly titled the “Save the American Dream Act” — is one…
State Reps in Waxhaw
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM, the Western Union Municipal Alliance (WUMA) will hold its monthly meeting at Waxhaw Town Hall. This session will focus visiting State Reps in Waxhaw on critical legislation that directly affects our communities’ ability to guide and manage local development. We will discuss Senate Bill 382, which has…
Waxhaw’s Spending Trends
Over the past five fiscal years, Waxhaw’s government spending trends have increased significantly across multiple departments. While population growth and inflation have contributed to rising costs, spending in several areas has outpaced both metrics. As we progress through budget season, it’s helpful to visualize departmental budget growth from FY20-21 through FY24-25. These increases might seem…
Resources to Oppose HB765
As detailed in this post, HB765 is an unprecedented attack on local government. This post has more detail, and this post explains the problems with the study that is being used to justify this bill. We need Resources to Oppose HB765. This page contains resources that will make it easy for you to email ALL…
NC’s Housing Study Funded by Industry
The NC Chamber Foundation’s recent housing “study” claims North Carolina faces a crisis: 764,000 homes needed by 2029. But let’s not mistake this for an honest analysis. It’s a developer-backed narrative, crafted to justify legislation like HB 765—a bill that guts local authority, silences elected officials, and invites lawsuits against towns that dare to regulate…
HB 765 – The Gory Details
The Gory Details – Here’s a summary of each change that HB 765 makes: 120-36.7.(e) – Adds a significant burden to the Fiscal Research Division of the state government, requiring them to analyze the five-year impact of bills and resolutions on the costs of “constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence, either directly or…
House Bill 765: A Hostile Takeover of Local Government
District 55 Representative Mark Brody (of Union County) is sponsoring a bill (HB765) in the NC House that would virtually eliminate regulation of residential development by local governments in the entire state of North Carolina. Rep. Brody is a contractor by trade (as stated on his page), who if still active would be likely to…
Continue Reading House Bill 765: A Hostile Takeover of Local Government
Mayor Murray Ends The Pappas Confusion
At the end of the March 11th meeting of the BOC, Mayor Murray clarified the facts regarding the plan to install the former mayor as Town Manager. Showing true leadership, he stepped out of his comfort zone to confront this recent source of division on the board. With grace and sincerity, but without avoiding the…
Commissioner Wedra Update #5
In response to yesterday’s post, the town released an announcement stating that no official moves had been made to appoint former mayor Ron Pappas to the position of Town Manager. This was an understandable attempt at reputational damage control for the town, but didn’t really tell us anything new. After all, the subject of yesterday’s…
From Landslide Loss to Backroom Deal
Town staff have received word from Commissioner Wesolek that reveals the board majority’s plan: they intend to install former mayor Ron Pappas in place of the current Interim Town Manager Richard Hicks. Staff, feeling duty-bound, informed our Mayor. This move, decided behind closed doors, is a blatant attempt to subvert the will of the voters…
Waxhaw Embraces State Handcuffs
As discussed in this previous post, the NC state legislature eviscerated local control over zoning on December 11th by placing onerous restrictions on down zoning (any change that reduces density). This seems intended to lock in profits for developers, as higher density residential developments tend to be more profitable than those with lower density. Waxhaw…
Waxhaw’s Budget – Inflation, Population, or Imagination?
Fiscal Responsibility: Striking a Balance in Waxhaw’s Budget Waxhaw’s Budget – Fiscal responsibility is a cornerstone of good governance. In Waxhaw, a growing and vibrant community, managing financial resources efficiently is critical to supporting both present and future needs. However, recent budgetary trends raise important questions about whether we are aligning our spending growth with…
Continue Reading Waxhaw’s Budget – Inflation, Population, or Imagination?
BOC Summary, December 10th, 2024
The Waxhaw Board of Commissioners (BOC) convened for its regular meeting on December 10th, addressing several key topics, including board appointments, public comments, a consultancy contract, and updates on state legislation. Here’s a detailed summary of the meeting: Technical Issues with Audio The first 41 minutes of audio from the meeting was neither broadcast on…
Atrium Development
On November 26th, 2024, the BOC voted to accept a conditional rezone that allows for the construction of a 190-unit age-restricted (55+) apartment building – the Atrium Development. The existing zoning of Economic Center requires that non-residential uses be built and well-established before any residential units can be constructed. Beginning with a suggestion by outgoing…
Local Control Loses, Density Wins
The North Carolina legislature has passed SB382, which contains a sweeping revocation of the local control of all municipal governments to down-zone to lower density. The legislators who supported this say that it is needed to combat local government abuses in western NC post-Helene, but some representatives from those areas actually voted against it. Local…
Waxhaw’s Big Flush
Waxhaw’s Big Flush – Most Waxhaw residents know about the 12 Mile Creek wastewater treatment plant on Kensington Drive. It serves Waxhaw, Weddington, Wesley Chapel, Indian Trail, Stallings, parts of Marvin, and some unincorporated areas of Union County. However, if the new residential developments approved by the Waxhaw BOC were allocated wastewater capacity tomorrow, there…
BOC Summary, October 8th, 2024
BOC Summary, October 8th, 2024. The saw a wave of public dissatisfaction, as residents took to the podium to criticize three commissioners—Commissioners McMillon, Wesolek, and Hall—for their recent decisions. Public comments centered on the denial of the Planning Board chair’s application for another term, a decision that has raised eyebrows in the community. The chair,…
Commissioner Wedra Update #4
Here’s an update from Commissioner Wedra on the recent manipulation of the process for appointing volunteers to advisory boards. Commissioner Wedra Update #4 https://youtu.be/5Ky_TQfAzLA?si=FMhxCyDK52tKYiXi
Volunteer Attacked, Veteran Shunned
In a town already grappling with the impacts of rapid development, last night’s Waxhaw Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting revealed a troubling display of political bias and ethical concerns. Three of the five commissioners voted to remove two well-qualified candidates from consideration for the Planning Board, with deeper tensions around growth and development at the…
September 10 BOC Meeting Summary
September 10 BOC Meeting Summary – On September 10th, 2024, the Waxhaw BOC had their regular meeting. The meeting was dominated by discussion about whether the plan for the Yarbrough Village development should be approved, even though it is short of the quality of park land that town ordinances require. Click the summary links below…
What is the Waxhaw Wall?
We are everyday people with families who are concerned by the irresponsibly rapid growth of our town that has occurred with little open discussion or dialogue. As local residents, we work towards good governance in our town. Our goals are: Responsible decisions on land use and development that protect our quality of life and safety.…
July 23 BOC Meeting Summary
Below is a July 23 BOC Meeting Summary. The meeting began well, with the board voting unanimously to approve an efficiency program for Waxhaw employees. Spearheaded by Commissioner Daunt, this program rewards and recognizes employees who come forward with practical ideas to save the town money and resources. Unfortunately, things went downhill from there once…
Insulting the Neighbors
Insulting the Neighbors – On June 25th, the BOC voted to send an insulting resolution to the Union County Board of Commissioners. The main purpose of this resolution was to complain about the BOCC’s decision in April to remove the eastern spur of the Waxhaw Parkway from its transportation plan. However, the resolution also contained…
Big Developer Propaganda
There’s nothing wrong with free enterprise and making an honest living, but building/development companies have crossed the line when they seek to subvert the will of the people through obfuscation and outright lies – Big Developer Propaganda. Even worse, we have seen dark money attempt to influence our local elections in favor of pro-development candidates.…
Mayor Murray on WBT
Our new Mayor Murray on WBT did an excellent job representing Waxhaw this past Thursday on Breaking with Brett Jensen during the broadcast from the Waxhaw FD Cigar Company. Click here to listen. He was able to share some insights about reasons for the success of The Waxhaw Wall last November, and how that ties…
DeWitt Denied
On June 11th, the BOC denied a new development for the first time in many years. This project of 312 residential units deviated from Waxhaw’s Land Development Code in many ways, and perhaps the crucial factor was the lack of a necessary easement in the small commercial section. DeWitt Denied. On April 16th, the Planning…
Commissioner Wedra Update #3
Here’s an update from Commissioner Wedra regarding recent developments. Commissioner Wedra Update #3 https://youtu.be/u0TxzqU9Y1Q?si=_971Rv8uwj5P9fuE
Density Redefined
Density Redefined – In March of 2021, the Unified Development Ordinance was replaced by the Land Development Code. The LDC encouraged higher-density residential development by: Increasing the density of R1, allowing one house per acre instead of one house per 2 1/3 acres Eliminating R2 (half acre lots) Adding a density bonus to R3, allowing…
Illegal To Vote No?
Is it illegal to vote no? Of course not! When discussing growth in our town, it’s important to understand the distinction between “by right” projects, and projects that require a “conditional” rezone. By Right If a proposed project/development is “by right”, it means that the existing zoning is adequate, and there is no rezoning decision…
Two by Two 101
Here’s your Two by Two 101. What’s a “two by two”? It’s the name given to the practice of splitting the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners into groups of two so the town staff can meet with them away from the public eye. According to NC Open Meetings Law, the public must be invited when a…
Update from Commissioner Susanna Wedra
Here’s another video update from Commissioner Susanna Wedra, specifically regarding some more new developments that are proposed. https://youtu.be/03IE8PaVS9Q?si=dKho6BbIUq45ZqRk
Meet Mayor Murray
Meet Mayor Murray – This Tuesday, come out to meet and chat with our new Mayor, Robert Murray III.
Graham Property Annex/Rezone
On April 23, 2024, in a 3 to 2 vote, the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners (BOC) approved the annexation of 168.58 acres from Union County R-20 to Waxhaw R-3 and Employment Center, despite strong opposition from the neighbors and surrounding community. That was the Graham Property Annex/Rezone. NCGS 160D-605(b) addresses the statement of reasonableness, in…
Your Vote Log
Here’s how you can keep track of how everyone is voting on the Waxhaw BOC. It goes back about four years and will be kept up to date going forward – your vote log. Most of the focus is on growth/development, but it also has a few other items of interest.
Social District Consensus
Social district consensus – this wasn’t widely reported at the time, so it’s worth re-iterating even now. Back in January during their retreat, the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners were in agreement that the town should not move forward on Social Districts. This was not an official vote, but we achieved a social district consensus during…
2×2 Update from Commissioner Wedra
2×2 Update from Commissioner Wedra – Since the majority of the Waxhaw BOC insist on continuing with “2×2” meetings which the public are not invited to, Commissioner Wedra has kindly provided a video report of the discussions. Multiple residential developments were presented, one of which was “pre-zoned” a few years ago. For a snapshot of…
Voting on the Board of Commissioners
Voting on the Board of Commissioners – In Waxhaw, we have six members on our Board of Commissioners, but only five of them vote regularly. Although he is a member of the board, our Mayor only votes if there is a need to break a tie. This scenario would only arise if one of the…
Transparency Rejected
In the March 12th meeting of the Waxhaw BOC, the three holdovers from the previous administration went back on their transparency agreement at the January retreat – reverting to the practice of private “two by two” meetings. The meetings will not be broadcast or recorded – transparency rejected. The following video is queued up to…
Taxes and Residential Development
https://youtu.be/LlbmalwK2eM On Friday, March 8th in a special meeting of the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners, Randall Arendt (Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute) from Greener Prospects was brought in as an expert, and unexpectedly commented on taxes and residential development. He stated that “you never get more tax dollars from development unless it’s non-residential”.…
How Waxhaw Works
How Waxhaw Works – Waxhaw has a Council-Manager form of government, in which the council/board hires a Town Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the town. The various department heads and their employees ultimately report to the Town Manager, who serves at the pleasure of the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners. Small Town You might…
Transparency
On Friday the 26th we made a significant move towards greater transparency in Waxhaw. The BOC unanimously agreed to publicly broadcast the “two-by-two” meetings that are held preparatory to the regular meetings. Comments Click the video to see the discussion. Below are my comments on this topic from the regular Tuesday meeting: Thank you to…
The 2021 Waxhaw Rezone
In the March 23, 2021 meeting of the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners, several parcels of land were suddenly re-zoned to significantly higher densities – The 2021 Waxhaw Rezone. On a particularly large tract right in the center of Waxhaw, this was done in the absence of any plan for future development. Usually when the board…
Residential Development in the Pipeline
Check the BOC Voting Log for dates, and more details – Residential Development in the Pipeline.
The Waxhaw Wallop
The voters of Waxhaw handed The Waxhaw Wall a massive victory on November 7th – The Waxhaw Wallop! The message of Stable Growth, Stable Taxes, Residents First was an incredible winner! Click here to see the news report. Results https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17tzjxlLTXQ After the election Queen City News reported on the agenda of the lame duck session…
Dark Money in Waxhaw Politics
A 501(c)4 named “Stand NC, Inc” has funded expensive mailers, text messaging, and robocalls on behalf of the incumbents in Waxhaw’s municipal election this year. This type of non-profit is under no legal obligation to disclose the identity of its donors. There’s no way to “follow the money” back to any particular individual – especially…
The Waxhaw Wall Facebook Live Video
Taking questions from a live audience on Facebook, The Waxhaw Wall met on social media to provide more detail about their vision for Waxhaw.
Gary Sides on Polo Grounds
Speaking about the proposed Polo Grounds development last night Gary Sides, on the UCPS Board of Education expressed some of the frustration that many are feeling in Waxhaw. He also laid out some of the unappealing scenarios that could occur if this development get approved. There are others on the board who feel the same…
Don’t be Misled!
DON’T BE MISLED when elected officials attempt to obscure facts that reveal their indefensible rezoning approvals. Even when information taken directly from the town’s website is presented, elected officials will still attempt to mislead the public and insult their intelligence. This is very revealing. Yarbrough Village For instance, the Yarbrough Village rezoning was approved by…
Approved Projects Transforming Our Town
Yarbrough Village rezoning was approved by the current Waxhaw Board of Commissioners on January 10, 2023. This is in addition to at least 600 units already approved by this current board. (Hwy 75/Somer Street, Rogers Pond Subdivision, Villages of Waxhaw, Prescot Village, Cottage Park, Southcreek, and Amavi).Yarbrough Village will have up to:8 units per acre…
Waxhaw Neighborhood Centers
There are 10 Waxhaw Neighborhood Centers depicted on the Future Land Use draft. It is nearly impossible to see the yellow circles over the yellow zoned areas on that map, so I included the Pedestrian Plan map as well. You may ask, what does a Neighborhood Center include?Single-FamilyAttached Cottage HomesDuplex/Triplex/QuadraplexUpper Story ApartmentsLive Work UnitsThe following…
Waxhaw Parks & Rec
We love parks and green space, but what are the real needs of our community? The Town of Waxhaw is currently growing the Waxhaw Parks & Rec staff and budget by leaps and bounds in an effort to align with “benchmarks” from NRPA (a private nonprofit). Why the quotes around that word? Well, because the…