Planning Commission denies Turtle Cove rezoning for marina and resort-style development

The Mecklenburg County Planning Commission voted on Feb. 19, 2026 to deny a rezoning application submitted by Scott Jaster of Turtle Cove Ventures for Parcel Record Number 37299, which sits on the west side of Thornton Drive at the North Carolina state line. The motion to deny was moved by Charles P. Reamy and seconded by Randy Crocker; the vote was nine in favor of denial and two opposed (Mark Warren and Reginald Arrington).

The denial listed seven enumerated reasons recorded in the minutes: (1) the project would negatively impact the health, safety, and general welfare of Mecklenburg County residents; (2) the applicant proposed the maximum number of commercial uses without meaningful limits on boat slips, storage, or parking; (3) nearby residents would face increased vehicle and boat traffic and attendant safety concerns; (4) the project was inconsistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan designation (Lake Area Residential and Rural Conservation) and could change the character of the surrounding area; (5) residential portions of the project are outside the County and are not expected to produce smaller, more affordable housing units; (6) the project would adversely impact the area’s existing rural, residential character; and (7) the project would primarily serve a large planned resort-style housing development outside the County, leaving County residents to bear noise, traffic, and other adverse impacts.

Commissioners recorded the vote as: David Brankley, Jerome Watson, Charles P. Reamy, Landon Hayes Jr., Jarrious Lassiter, Randy Crocker, Debra Crowder, Derperdine Webster and Deloris Simmons voting to deny; Mark Warren and Reginald Arrington voting against denial. The minutes note the public hearing on the application was held in January.