Meritage Homes Breaks Ground on Cherryville Development

5:25 PM EST |January 23, 2025|Lauren Ramsey|Business, News Articles, People

By: Lauren Ramsey – Wise News Network

Cherryville, NC (WNN)- Community leaders and representatives from Meritage Homes gathered for the groundbreaking of a new residential development in Cherryville. The project, located off Requa Road, aims to bring a modern, thoughtfully designed housing community to Cherryville. See the groundbreaking on our Youtube channel by clicking here!

A construction worker, working Meritages currently most complete home. Jan. 23rd, 2025 by Mason Beam

Starting the Project

The journey to this milestone began in April 2022, when Robert Johnson, a Cherryville resident and owner of Carolina Home Company, Inc., initially proposed the development under the name “Cherryvale.” Johnson requested to annex and rezone 160 acres off Requa Road to accommodate over 500 single-family homes.

During the June 2022 city council meeting, the council unanimously voted to review the annexation of the land beyond the city’s borders. Legal annexation allows a municipality to expand its boundaries to include adjacent unincorporated areas. City Clerk Paige Green conducted the review, and the city council approved the annexation at its August 8, 2022 meeting.

A construction site with cleared land and dirt piles beside a road lined with traffic cones. A speed limit sign of 45 mph and a caution sign are visible. Trees and a blue sky with clouds are in the background. — An earlier photo of Calico Creek’s development. Thursday, June 6, 2024, by Mason Beam (WNN).

A public hearing to discuss the rezoning also began at the August 8, 2022 city council meeting. Cherryville residents, the planning and zoning director, and the developer all provided feedback on the proposed development. According to meeting minutes from that day, nearly half a dozen residents raised concerns, primarily about traffic and potential environmental hazards during construction.

Malcolm Parker, a council member at the time, asked Johnson if he was the developer. Johnson confirmed, saying he could address any concerns from the public. The council’s discussions were inconclusive, and the public hearing was continued. The hearing resumed and the project gained approval at the September 2022 city council meeting with a 3-1 vote.

City Council Member Praises the Development

City council member Jill Puett shared her excitement for the progress, saying, “I’m just blown away. It’s been seven weeks since I’ve come down this road, and to see how beautiful this is, all looking at what is yet to come, is amazing,” she said.

Nine people posing with shovels behind a small pile of dirt. — Representatives from Meritage and the City of Cherryville posing for the groundbreaking ceremony. Jan. 23rd, 2025 by Mason Beam

Puett emphasized the project’s potential to foster a sense of belonging for Cherryville residents. “There’s going to be a community here within the community, and it is going to be gorgeous. I can’t wait for our citizens to see how well things are looking,” she added.

Meritage Homes Highlights Vision and Collaboration

Steven Romano delivering a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony. Jan. 23rd, 2025 by Mason Beam

Steven Romano, division president for Meritage Homes, expressed the company’s excitement about joining the Cherryville community. “This has been a town that we’ve been very excited about and been trying to get to for many years. It’s finally happening,” Romano said.

He explained Meritage Homes’ commitment to creating lasting, positive impacts on the communities they join. “When we come into a community, we want to make sure we leave it better than how we found it. You can see this is going to be something special,” he said.

Romano also acknowledged the collective effort required to bring the project to life. “It takes a team effort. It’s not just one person or one department that puts these things together. It’s a whole team.”

He also acknowledged their marketing team in organizing the event, adding, “This is a great opportunity to share this moment with the chamber. Thank you very much for having us, and we look forward to a very long partnership.”

A New Chapter for Cherryville

A view from above of the current housing being put up by Meritage. Jan. 23rd, 2025 by Mason Beam

As the development begins to take shape, residents and leaders alike look forward to the long-term benefits it will bring to Cherryville. The new neighborhood, featuring modern homes and a strong community focus, will have a positive impact and contribute to the town’s growth and future.

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