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Yesterday morning REBIC held a briefing to update attendees on the next steps needed in order to advance the transportation measure. The decision to add it to the November ballot will be voted on by the Mecklenburg County Commission tomorrow night. We have reported extensively on this issue over the last several months and tomorrow’s vote marks a key point in the process. It now comes down to commissioners to determine if the measure will move forward to the voters on November 4th.
The event was kicked off with a presentation by REBIC Counsel, Larry Shaheen with the McIntosh Law Firm, followed by a panel presentation that included David Longo, Chair of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Allen Dargins, Canopy Government Affairs Chair, and Ned Curran, CEO Emeritus of Northwood Office. Speakers all reinforced the significance of this moment and remarked on what a difficult journey it has been to this point. They were optimistic, though, about the plan becoming a reality.
Also on hand were NC Rep. Carla Cunningham, Charlotte City Councilmember Marjorie Molina, and Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox, all strong supporters of the measure. We appreciate their consistent advocacy on this important matter.
To recap: The transportation plan, with broad support from the towns, City, and business community, was approved by the General Assembly last month with passage of the PAVE Act. The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners will to vote to place the referendum on the ballot on August 6th, tomorrow, and we need your help by asking you to attend and provide public support.
Mecklenburg County Commissioner Meeting
August 6 | 5:30pm | Government Center
(600 E. Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.)
Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioner to receive public comments on the Public Access to Valuable Equity (P.A.V.E.) Act.
My Take: We are at the cusp of something big for our region. An influx of $20 billion in revenue over the next 30 years to address our ever-growing transportation challenges would be significant. What’s truly remarkable in all of this is that everything that has been accomplished thus far has been achieved by folks from all across the political spectrum. Charlotte, a decidedly “blue city” worked with the leadership from the surrounding “red towns” to approach the “red legislature” with a proposal to shore up and expand our inadequate infrastructure. Negotiation and ensuing compromises have all been part of the equation. Now, after a more than five-year effort, as we find ourselves near the end, we DO see some groups and individuals taking a stand against the measure in large part to promote their own political goals. Let’s not waste a lot of hard work and cave to those who would send us in reverse.
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On April 3, 2025, the City of Charlotte released fourteen-draft Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans (CAPs) and a Revised Future 2040 Policy Map for public review and comment, a period that concluded on July 18th. More than 1,000 public comments were submitted, and both the comments and staff responses are now available on the project website.
On June 17, the Planning Committee of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission reviewed the proposed changes and unanimously recommended them for approval. On August 4th, the Transportation, Planning, and Development Committee voted to request that City Council consider adopting the plans at its September 22nd Business Meeting. The CAPs represent the second major implementation step of the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan (adopted in June 2021) following adoption of the Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map in March 2022.
My Take: With the date to vote on the final proposal pretty much set, this really is the last time to weigh in with any remaining concerns. I spoke with Chairman Ed Driggs following yesterday’s meeting and he would really like to hear from us if we believe there are remaining matters that need to be addressed. If you haven’t weighed in due to time constraints, etc., send me a quick email and let’s talk about your concerns. Once the vote happens, it will be hard to put the toothpaste back in the tube.
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