Two For Tuesday | May 28, 2024

1.  Planning Staff Files Compact Development Text Amendment

As was anticipated and following the Charlotte City Council approval of UDO text amendment 2024-043 that limited housing choices for buyers seeking attainable housing, Planning Staff filed a new amendment related to Compact Residential Development Standards.  While we are still sorting through the potential implications, some of the highlights include the following:

• Compact Development may not be utilized within the Critical Watershed Area and Airport Noise Overlay Areas which accounts for about 24% of the approximately 11,300 acres of the remaining developable land within the City of Charlotte and the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).
• The minimum acreage allowable for projects under this option is two acres, but smaller parcels may be assembled to meet that threshold if a project is located on a four-lane arterial street per the Charlotte Streets Map.
• Triplexes are limited to 25% of lots in all new developments over two acres in N1-A and N1-B Zoning Districts (not just Compact Development) except when utilizing the voluntary mixed-income residential development option.
• A maximum of 30% of units may front common open space meaning additional public roads will need to be built thereby increasing costs.
• Alley and driveway setbacks have been adjusted slightly to allow for more flexibility.
• Allows for a 20-foot-wide connection from common open space to a public street in lieu of a 50-foot minimum frontage.

In other news and earlier today, a rather spirited Special Meeting of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission was held where this text amendment and other housing policy discussions took place.  It’s definitely worth a watch if you are so inclined.  Going forward, here is the schedule for action:

• June 17th – City Council Public Hearing
• June 20th – Zoning Committee Meeting
• June 24th – City Council Vote

My take:  Although it feels as though a lot of time and words have been dedicated to highlighting the lack of housing affordability within our region, specifically as it relates to the City of Charlotte, all of this is so important to our members.  The actions of our leaders, both elected and un-elected, demand I persist in pointing out the policy challenges we face.  Although this amendment, the second phase of a three-segment, albeit piece meal effort being undertaken to address some inadequacies of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), this filing may be a slight step in the right direction.  It should also be pointed out that several of the issues above need to be resolved prior to adoption.  I reiterate here again that we should have debated and resolved all three elements of the plan simultaneously to better understand the bigger picture and the effects it will have on housing attainability.  Ironically enough, members of the Planning staff conceded during today’s Special Planning Commission Meeting that concurrent action on the three measures would have been a better course of action.  Here’s the rub:  If we do anything as we seek to remedy this confusion amid lengthy debate over syntax, personal opinion, and propriety positioning, what we really need is for our leaders to remember what this whole exercise is about; making it possible for our residents to obtain the housing they so desperately seek. 

   

 2.  Gastonia Seeking Members for Affordable Housing Advisory Board

The City of Gastonia is forming a new Affordable Housing Advisory Board and needs the assistance of residents to help develop the City’s Affordable Housing Plan.  The deadline to apply for this new committee has been extended to July 31st.  Here are the details:

The Affordable Housing Advisory Board shall:
(1) Serve as the formal liaison between the general public and the City Council and seek to promote active citizen participation in and support for all phases of the City of Gastonia Affordable Housing Plan.
(2) Monitor and provide recommendations for timely implementation of and necessary amendments to the Affordable Housing Plan and other housing policies as appropriate.
(3) Review and make recommendations for new or revised land use ordinance provisions related to the Affordable Housing Plan.
(4) Review and make recommendations regarding affordable housing funding opportunities.
(5) Annually review the City’s Affordable Housing Plan and goals, data and other progress indicators; and, make recommendations to prioritize or adjust activities based on such review.
(6) Identify, research and provide recommendations to City Council on affordable housing issues, trends and unmet housing needs.
(7) As needed or as requested by City management and staff, organize subcommittees focusing on specific topics or issues to advance specific activities and work related to the Affordable Housing Plan.
(8) Review and approve annual and other staff reports to the City Council.  The Board shall consist of seven voting members who are citizens of the City.  One member shall be appointed by the Council from each of the City’s six wards and one member at large shall be nominated by the Mayor and appointed by the Council.  The Board will meet at least quarterly.