MONROE, N.C. — A massive new community could be coming to Monroe.
The project would offer an active living community for people ages 55 and older on Lake Lee.
City leaders are deciding on the project next week, but nearby neighbors want it to be downsized if it's approved.
Nick Waddell and his family live on almost 50 acres of land on Lake Lee. Their property is directly next to a portion of the proposed site.
"I grew up in a rural area of Charlotte and kind of had this development happening around us and we just decided we wanted to be out of the city and in a quieter place," Waddell told WCNC Charlotte.
Lake Lee is a drinking water source for the city. Waddell worries a large development hoping to move in next door could harm it.
"Wildlife, runoff into drinking water, just wanting to take all of these things into account," Waddell added.
The project is called Eagle's Rest and would consist of 670 homes and commercial space on 340 acres of land on either side of Marion Lee Road. Waddell wants to see the number of homes reduced.
"The vision that the developer has for the property we're really happy with," said Waddell. "Our biggest issue is just the housing density."
The plan conserves 20 acres of woods for the existing Eagle’s Nest near Waddell's house.
The Monroe Planning Board pushed the project forward to the city council in October.
"Monroe's just seen tremendous growth over the last three or four years and this is a project that we've been looking for for a very long time," board member Margaret Desio told WCNC Charlotte.
Desio added that Eagle’s Rest will not impact the community as much as previous proposals for the land that were denied for being too dense.
"Since this is over 55, over 65, it's not going to impact our schools," explained Desio. "And these people don't travel and go to work at eight o'clock in the morning like all the rest of us do."
Waddell hopes the builder will work with neighbors to reduce units and preserve more nature. Monroe City Council is set to vote on the project on Nov. 14.
At the time of this story's publication, the developer, the Moser Group, has not responded to WCNC Charlotte's multiple requests for comment.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.