Two For Tuesday | October 3, 2023
1. Charlotte Planning Files New Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendment
The Charlotte City Council Transportation, Planning, & Development Committee met yesterday and received presentations from Planning Director Alyson Craig and Division Manager, Dave Pettine.
Ms. Craig’s report included an update on the status of text amendments to the UDO and may be found here. A new “cleanup” amendment has been filed and will receive a public hearing on November 20th. A virtual informational session is planned for October 18th and details may be found at charlotteudo.org. Highlights of the draft include the following:
- States that, in all zoning district articles, prescribed conditions apply and identifies their location in UDO
- Adds time period for temporary uses not listed in the Use Matrix
- Specifies affordability periods for affordable housing bonuses
- Explains placement of accessory structures
- Creates a new use: commercial fitness center
- Relocates current N1-F multi-family site layout conditions from Neighborhood 1 Zoning District (Article 4) to Use Regulations (Article 15)
- Addresses code enforcement concerns regarding vehicle parking and storage
- Refines standards for driveways and parking areas for duplex, triplex, and quadraplex buildings
- Adjusts prescribed conditions for neighborhood commercial establishments prohibiting outdoor entertainment
- Provides greater flexibility in parking structure design options
- Clarifies sidewall and building height plane regulations for duplex and triplex buildings in Neighborhood 1 zoning
- Renames drive-through facility as accessory drive-through and clarifies it is only allowed if it was located and in operation on the site on June 1, 2023
- Refines the standard for a restaurant/bar principal use with an accessory drive-through must have a minimum of 24 seats
Mr. Pettine, in his
presentation, sought to clarify why there are so many inconsistencies when it comes to
N1 to
N2 rezoning recommendations. He pointed to the following reasons:
- Market changes
- Housing needs
- Need for Infrastructure/Capital Improvements
- Change in development patterns
- Ongoing major Planning efforts
Staff has developed criteria
(included in presentation) it will use to better inform Members of Council as they vote on rezoning decisions during the interim time while the Policy Map is considered for further refinement and alignment rezoning remains incomplete.
My take: Changing all of the development rules at once and adopting a new regulatory framework has proven to be a huge undertaking. Some of the challenges we have pointed out to staff are being addressed in this text amendment and for that we are grateful. There is, however, much more work to be done. Let’s hope additional changes are considered and made at a speed somewhat similar to that of market forces.
2. North Carolina Legislative Leaders to Provide Session Recap to REBIC Members
The McIntosh Law Firm and REBIC are proud to invite you to our November 2nd Leadership Luncheon! Join us from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm in Room 202 of the Canopy Building. Lunch will be provided. For all the details, see our Calendar page here.
My take: This will be a fantastic opportunity to interact with key legislative leaders and hear first-hand about some of the initiatives they championed during the most recent session and how these policies may affect the real estate industry. They’ll also provide a preview of what’s on the horizon for next year. Let me know if you can make it. (RSVP – Yes)
Rob Nanfelt
Executive Director, REBIC
BACK TO LATEST NEWS
