By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
CLEVELAND ó The Cleveland Town Board approved a zoning ammendment Monday that will allow for the construction of an event center at 115 Amity Hill Road.
Cleveland resident Brian Moerman already runs The Arbor Events, hosting weddings, parties and class reunions on his 112-acre lot, which started as a tree farm in 2003.
The boardís approval Monday gives him to go ahead to build a facility that will include overnight accommodations.
The venue will be able half a mile from its closet neighbor and Commissioner Pat Phifer said he talked to them and they donít mind.
ěYou have a very good endorsement,î he said.
Eventually, Moerman wants to have about 10 guest rooms available on site.
ěAccommodations would be specific to people that are renting the facility,î he said. ěI wonít have it set up as a hotel.î
Moerman said the farmís close proximity to Salisbury and Mooresville make it a good economic development investment.
ěThere is a demand for this type of event center in the area,î he said.
Moerman said since wrapping up the wedding season in November, heís been scouting out corporate partners such as Lowes, Home Depot and Food Lion that might be interested in hosting training or team building events at the venue.
ěCorporate events are really going to be our main core,î he said. ěThere are more and more companies moving headquarters closer near this area.î
Moerman said he plans to begin construction as soon as possible.
ěRight now, weíre working on a lot of clearing and that sort of thing,î he said. ěWeíre semi-prepped for construction, but I didnít want to jump the gun without getting the boardís approval.î
With weddings booked in April, May and June, Moerman said the construction will likely take place in phases.
ěPeople arenít going to want construction going on behind their event,î he said.
Moerman said ějust as soon as the weather cooperatesî things will get under way.
ěWeíre still juggling some things, but itís going to happen.î
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.