DOWNTOWN WAXHAW

MASTER PLAN

Downtown Master Plan Review Continues with More Public Input

After presenting the refined draft to the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9, the Board directed Town staff and the Downtown Waxhaw Association to gather additional in-depth community feedback before adoption.

This next round of engagement will give residents, business owners, and stakeholders another opportunity to shape the vision and priorities for Downtown Waxhaw’s next 5–10 years.

Share Your Feedback on the Draft Plan

The updated draft Downtown Master Plan is now available for review, and we need your input! Your comments will help refine the plan before it goes back to the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners.

1. Review the Draft Plan

2. Share Your Feedback

Prefer to share your input in person?

No problem! Multiple in-person input opportunities will be held in October.

Public Input Opportunities:

Monday, Oct. 6 from 5-7 PM: Presentation of Concepts at 5 p.m. followed by Q&A
Thursday, Oct. 9 from 8-10 AM: Presentation of Concepts at 8 a.m. followed by Q&A

Location:
Duncan McDonald House
115 McDonald St., Waxhaw, NC 28173

Or, visit us at Autumn Treasures near the Duncan McDonald House on Saturday, October 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Look for the bright, teal Downtown Waxhaw tent!

***Downtown Master Plan* ➜ *Project Updates***

- The consulting team incorporated community feedback and presented the final draft Downtown Master Plan to the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9.
- The presentation was for discussion only; the Board requested additional public comment and input sessions before considering adoption.
- Multiple new input opportunities will be held in October: two in-person sessions at the Duncan McDonald House. These are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 6 from 5-7 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 9 from 8-10 a.m.
- We’ll also have a booth at Autumn Treasures where you can interact with town staff and volunteers and learn more about the plan.
- Theonline public comment form will reopen with the latest draft available for review.
- Feedback collected will be compiled and presented to the Board of Commissioners on Oct. 14, with proposed refinements to follow.
➜300+ survey responses from residents, business owners & stakeholders
➜4 public input sessions held (including one with Waxhaw’s elected officials)
➜Focus groups on key topics like:
- Arts & culture
- Historic preservation
- Young professionals
- Food trucks & local dining
- Property ownership & entrepreneurship
➜ Draft plan refined using survey results, focus group feedback, and community input sessions
We’ve heard questions, so let’s be clear:
✅ It’s a guide, not a checklist. It helps leaders, property owners, and partners make smarter, coordinated decisions.
✅ It emphasizes partnerships, grants & incremental investments (not all taxpayer-funded).
❌ It’s not a commitment to fund every project.
❌ It’s not a “build it tomorrow” list.
❌ It’s not a residential development plan.
❌ It’s not a traffic or transportation plan (those issues are being addressed separately).
The future of downtown depends on community voices. While the public comment period is now closed, we’ll continue sharing updates as the final plan moves forward.
📌 Bookmark this page for the latest news.

Here’s where things stand:

We know plans like this can spark questions—and sometimes, concerns. Here’s what you need to know about what the Downtown Master Plan is (and isn’t).

No. The plan is a vision and a guide, not a construction schedule. It outlines possibilities and strategies the Town and partners can pursue over the next 5–10 years, based on funding, partnerships, and community priorities.
Not necessarily. Many recommendations rely on public–private partnerships, grants, and outside investment—not solely on taxpayer funding. The plan helps identify creative ways to bring projects to life.
No. The Downtown Master Plan does not address residential development. It focuses on making downtown more connected, walkable, and commercially vibrant while preserving Waxhaw’s history.
Our small town has grown quickly, and downtown plays a big role in balancing our tax base, supporting local businesses, and ensuring growth benefits everyone.
Master plans like this are a standard tool in communities everywhere because they help:
- Align the community’s vision so we’re proactive instead of reactive.
- Prevent scattershot development by setting clear design guidelines & land use priorities.
- Strengthen our local economy in ways that ease the tax burden on residents.
- Position the town for outside grants and funding, which is how many projects actually get paid for.
- Provide leverage for improving business mix: Armed with professional concepts & empirical data, community leaders can more effectively advocate with property owners & developers for desired businesses that align with community needs & preferences.
Without a plan, change happens without direction. With one, we can protect what we love while improving what we need.
Once finalized, the plan will guide decision-making for years to come—helping the Town and its partners prioritize projects, seek funding, and measure progress. It’s a living document that can evolve with the community.

Downtown Waxhaw is at a pivotal moment. Our community is growing—bringing exciting new possibilities, but also challenges that we must address thoughtfully and together.

To help guide this change, the Town of Waxhaw and the Downtown Waxhaw Association have partnered with The Boudreaux Group to create a Downtown Master Plan—a roadmap for the next 5–10 years that will help us shape the future of Downtown Waxhaw in a way that reflects our community values.

This plan isn’t about changing who we are—it’s about protecting what makes Waxhaw special, while preparing for the future in a responsible, balanced, and sustainable way.

What is the Downtown Waxhaw Master Plan?

Why does the Downtown Master Plan Matter?

Growth is inevitable—but how we grow is up to us. This plan focuses on preserving our historic charm while planning for thoughtful, community-focused development.
The plan will provide clear policy guidance to help Town leaders make decisions that align with our shared goals.
From parking and lighting to walkability and accessibility, the plan will outline key priorities and how to implement them.
Residents, business owners, and stakeholders are actively involved in shaping the plan, ensuring it reflects a wide range of voices.
With measurable goals and a 10-year action framework, we’ll be able to track our progress and adapt as needed—together.
As part of Waxhaw’s FY25 Capital Improvement Plan, the Downtown Master Plan will focus on:
- Thoughtful infill development that complements existing architecture
- Parking strategies and streetscape lighting enhancements
- Improved accessibility and walkability
- A 10-year roadmap with clear goals, action steps, and metrics

We had a great time connecting with you at the Kaleidoscope Festival!

Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas for downtown on our ‘idea tree’. We loved hearing your thoughts and appreciated your creativity & enthusiasm!

Your feedback was positive & constructive, showing how much we all care about downtown & its potential.

Together, we can create a downtown that not only retains its character but also remains a hub of activity, culture, and connection.

Stay tuned for updates on how your ideas might be brought to life!