Fletcher Town Council weighs three‑story buildings as developers eye Towne Centre

Fletcher Town staff reported renewed developer interest in the Towne Centre project on Highway 25 and presented options for next steps, including recruitment work by a consultant and the possibility of allowing taller buildings to help finance mixed‑use development.

Mark, a town staff member presenting the management report, said Retail Strategies will prepare a draft recruitment plan "by the end of the summer" and that staff and consultants, including Buchanan Construction, have begun discussions with potential investors and brokers. He said the town is under contract with Retail Strategies and that McGill is handling preliminary engineering work. "There's still a good amount of interest out there," Mark said, but he cautioned that a letter of intent or formal commitments are not yet in place.

The report prompted a debate among councilmembers about building height on the Highway 25 parcel. One councilmember said, "Well, I'm not opposed to a a 3 story building," arguing three stories could make mixed‑use development — shops at street level with residences above — more financially viable. Another councilmember said the town should limit new construction to preserve views and small‑town character, arguing for "no more than two stories" and a hybrid blend that fits surrounding one‑story buildings.

Mark told the council that past public‑private partnerships had included public investments to offset development costs, citing roughly $150,000 previously provided for road work and demolition on a prior deal. He said such investments can be part of negotiations but noted any sensitive negotiations would be handled through counsel and staff and might require a closed session if details become confidential.

Why it matters: decisions about height and incentives will shape the visual character of the corridor and the project's financial feasibility. Developers told staff they often look for ways to increase rentable floor area to justify larger upfront investment, while some councilmembers emphasized preserving scenic approaches into town.

What’s next: Staff will continue outreach, receive the recruitment plan from Retail Strategies, and return with more detailed options for council consideration. The council did not take a formal vote on zoning changes or incentives at this meeting.