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Council approves rezoning for proposed Residence Inn after sewer-capacity review
Summary
Belmont City Council unanimously approved a conditional rezoning for a proposed 107-room Residence Inn on Aug. 4, 2025, after staff said the project's estimated 19,000 gallons-per-day wastewater flow can be accommodated with planned measures; the council noted the city is seeking additional capacity from Charlotte Water.
Belmont City Council on Aug. 4 unanimously approved an ordinance rezoning a 24-acre parcel north of I-85 for a proposed 107-room Residence Inn and future development of the full site.
The council reopened a continued public hearing and heard a staff recap from Reagan Murphy, who said sewer capacity had been the primary outstanding issue from the May hearing. Public Works Director Jonathan Wilson told council the project's estimated wastewater flow is roughly "19,000 gallons a day," and that the basin is close to capacity during wet-weather conditions but that staff believes the project can proceed with mitigation and planned capital work. Wilson said the city is seeking an additional 500,000 gallons per day from Charlotte Water for broader system needs, "regardless of whether this project goes forward."
The applicant's team presented slides showing flow assumptions, construction timing and local revenue projections. Staff noted estimated system development fees for the project would range roughly between $63,000 and $98,000 depending on meter size, and the applicant's materials projected an increase in occupancy-tax revenue of about $120,000 per year.
Why it matters: The rezoning permits a large hotel in a location the applicant said will support tourism-related revenue and commercial development on a 24-acre parcel. Council members pressed staff on the sewer model and timing because capacity constraints can affect not only this project but other planned growth in the same basin.
What the council said: After questions about wet-weather capacity and whether the modeled design criteria are conservative, council members voted to approve the ordinance as presented. The motion was moved and seconded and passed unanimously.
What happens next: The applicant may continue with site development steps and state permitting; staff flagged follow-up work related to system-capacity planning and coordination with Charlotte Water. Council and staff said they will monitor the recommended sewer improvements and the city's ongoing capital projects tied to wastewater capacity.
