The Cabarrus County Board of Education on Nov. 10 adopted a resolution authorizing condemnation to acquire a Sudbury Road site for a Northwest area elementary school, after staff said negotiations with the estate’s heirs were unsuccessful and the parcel has the utilities and acreage needed for a new school.

Brian Cohen, the district’s procurement/architecture presenter, told the board the Sudbury Road property "does have utilities in both water and sewer in close proximity" and is large enough to support the planned school. Cohen said the district had reviewed about six other candidate properties but could not reach agreements or those sites were cost‑prohibitive because of utility and access constraints.

Board discussion noted the urgency of securing a site because the county commissioners tied funding to a timeline. At least one board member cited severe overcrowding at nearby Odell schools and said delaying acquisition could jeopardize funding and push back the school opening.

Public comment and a board member raised concerns that a new school would increase traffic and spur housing development near the site. In response, Cohen said the district follows North Carolina Department of Transportation guidance on site design to mitigate traffic impacts and described school amenities the district brings to neighborhoods.

The board approved the resolution by voice/roll call vote, 6–1; Board member Melanie Freeman recorded the lone no vote. After the vote, staff said they will begin the condemnation process consistent with state law and return with contract and design matters as they are negotiated.

Next steps: staff will negotiate the architect and contract details as directed, continue coordination with county funding partners and begin the legal process for property acquisition. The board then recessed to a closed session for personnel and related matters.