The City of Charlotte has announced additional reviews that will be required for residential new builds in the city limits effective June 1, 2023. The changes are part of the city’s newly adopted Unified Development Ordinance. Per the UDO, residential projects must comply with drainage and urban forestry requirements.
To that end, City of Charlotte Storm Water Services and Urban Forestry staff will now review residential projects concurrently with the Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement residential plan review.
However, while the reviews will be concurrent, beginning June 1st, customers must separately apply and submit supporting information for projects into the City of Charlotte’s online permit system, Accela Citizen Access.
Examples of projects that will require City Storm Water and Urban Forestry review as of June 1, 2023:
• Construction of a new single-family home
• Construction of a new duplex, triplex, or quadraplex
• Additions to existing residential buildings or renovations that expand the footprint
• Detached garages
• Back yard storage buildings exceeding 12 feet in any dimension
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
• Retaining walls on residential lots
• Pools
• Installation, modification, creation, or connection to the City storm drainage system, or storm drainage systems that convey runoff from a publicly-maintained street
What is being reviewed:
Urban Forestry items —
• Check for protection of existing row trees
• Review for proposed new street trees based on 40-foot spacing
• Evaluate for compliance with existing tree save
• Evaluate for protection and or mitigation for heritage trees
Storm Water items —
• Review any installation, modification, creation or connection to the storm drainage system
• Review proposed land disturbance that will modify or impact existing drainage features (catch basins, pipes, ditches, swales, etc.)
• Check for modifications being made to the City storm drainage system meeting standards (size, material, and methods)
• Prevent building structures or retaining walls from being constructed within City or public storm easements
• Ensure projects use standard residential driveways and eliminate driveway conflicts with existing catch basins
• Identify and protect existing and proposed building structures subject to flooding, and avoid adjacent property flooding
• Review development in areas with known drainage issues
Please visit the CLT Development Center website for more information and submittal requirements or call the CLT Development Center 704-336-6692.
This item is of particular importance considering the new reviews referenced above. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Stormwater Services is currently in the process of revising the BMP (Best Management Practices) Design Manual. As part of this process, the new Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) Design Manual is open to public comment for a period of 30 days. A summary and the revised chapters can be found at:
Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) Design Manual – City of Charlotte (charlottenc.gov)
Please contact Gurveer Uppal with any questions or comments at [email protected] by May 31, 2023.
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2. Charlotte Council Committees Meet, Discuss UDO, Eastland, Budget, and Housing
Transportation, Planning, & Development Committee – Agenda, Rezoning Tune-up Presentation
My take: CATS is continuing to take lumps, let’s give Brent Cagle a legitimate chance to right the ship. In referring to the UDO and the impending effective date of June 1st, Chairman Ed Driggs said, “We are entering the deep water of transition.”
Budget, Governance, & Intergovernmental Relations Committee – Agenda
My take: There are some on Council who are determined to fill the role of Human Resources professional. I believe several of those already serve on the staff. Less time in the weeds and more big picture leadership would be appreciated by this particular constituent.
Jobs & Economic Development Committee – Agenda, Eastland Presentation
My take: The majority of Council wants to get this right and that means more time. East side residents want a community amenity they can be proud of, but as a result the neighborhood will undergo some changes. Are they prepared for that?
Housing, Safety, & Community Committee – Agenda
My take: There seems to be a lot of emphasis on housing for those earning up to 60% of area median income (AMI). What about workforce housing?
City Manager’s Proposed FY 2024 Budget – Presentation
My take: A revenue neutral budget but vast majority of homeowners will pay more in property tax.
Rob Nanfelt
Executive Director, REBIC