CORNELIUS, N.C. – Swimmers may soon be able to take a dip in Lake Norman, as commissioners in Mecklenburg County have been given the go-ahead to start discussing whether a public swimming area should be allowed at Ramsey Creek Park.

That’s not what some area residents want to hear. John Callis is one of those residents, who says the speeding and littering along Nantz Road is unacceptable.

Four properties down the road for Callis is Ramsey Creek. If the park gets more visitors thanks to a change in swimming rules, the speeding and trash and all other annoyances could get worse.

Commissioner Karen Bentley says, in the next 18 to 24 months, the Ramsey Creek Park waterfront could be a new public swimming beach. A committee has already worked out liability concerns and annual costs – which is about $80,000 a year. That money would include paying for lifeguards.

What hasn’t been worked out yet is the potential impact the decision could have on the surrounding area.

"The neighbors will have to be involved,” said Bentley. “We want to hear from them.”

Commissioners are expected to take up the issue during next month’s meeting. Patrons could be charged a fee to use the swimming area.