Anchor Mill in Huntersville, North Carolina

Anchor Mill in Huntersville, North Carolina, a transit-oriented project involving developer Nate Bowman, is now facing political snags. Bowman, developer of the new urbanist Vermillion (which recently won a Sierra Club award as the best project in North Carolina), was selected by the Huntersville Town Council prior to elections last November to redevelop the brownfield site. Bowman and the town split the cost of a charrette led by new urbanist Andres Duany. Three new board members (out of five) have since been elected, some of whom have significant questions and issues concerning the project. A major point of contention is the cleanup cost of the site, which was to be borne by the town. New council members are concerned about the open-ended nature of the cost. At least one council member has expressed concerns that the density of 12 units/acre — which Charlotte transit planners deem to be the minimum necessary to support transit — is too high. Huntersville Mayor Randy Quillen, a strong supporter of the project, believes that these issues will be resolved.