Charlotte City Council Zoning Meeting - October 21, 2024

The Charlotte City Council held a zoning meeting on October 21, 2024, beginning at 5:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included deferrals, a consent agenda, decisions on previously heard petitions, and public hearings for new petitions. Key actions included approval of most consent and decision items, one deferral, and public hearings opened for future consideration.

Deferrals

• Three petitions were deferred to the November 18, 2024 meeting: Petition 2024-045 (Drakeford Communities), Petition 2020-071 (3G Investments and Developments), and Petition 2022-224 (SRL Central Avenue Properties). The motion passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3 through 14 (excluding deferred item 7) were approved unanimously. These included rezoning petitions from Ahmad Developers (2023-070), Oak Hill Management (2024-006), Jackson Kastle (2024-034), Church-Overlook (2024-037), Savalex Homes (2024-057), Alchemy Development (2024-063), Carmel Park Partners (2024-066), Culp Road Materials (2024-068), Summit Avenue West Boulevard (2024-070), The Drakeford Company (2024-071), and Merancas Holdings (2024-074). All met criteria of no public opposition, zoning committee approval, no changes, and staff recommendation.

Decisions (Items 17–24)

• Item 17 (2023-165, Central Avenue Multifamily): After discussion regarding community engagement and traffic concerns, Councilmember Anderson made a substitute motion to defer to the November 18 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 18 (2024-008, Bank OZK): Council voted 6-1 to approve a conditional rezoning from TOD-TR to CG(CD), despite staff opposition citing inconsistency with the 2019 transit-oriented rezoning. Councilmember Ajmera voted against, stating it undermines the adopted 2040 plan. Councilmember Johnson spoke in favor, noting the importance of drive-throughs for bank operations.
• Item 19 (2024-046, Lennar Carolinas): Approved unanimously after minor site plan changes (streetscape extension, setback documentation, tree survey).
• Item 20 (2024-055, Tiwana Phipps): Approved unanimously following staff recommendation, overriding the Zoning Committee's 4-2 denial. Councilmember Brown expressed support based on staff recommendation.
• Item 21 (2024-056, Vivo Investments): Approved unanimously. District representative Brown confirmed individual outreach to community leaders despite no formal online meeting.
• Item 22 (2024-060, DreamKey Partners): Approved unanimously. Councilmember Mayfield raised concerns about a previously approved traffic signal at the intersection not yet installed; CDOT confirmed the signal is part of another development's commitment but has no timeline.
• Item 23 (2024-062, Otis Crowder): Approved unanimously after minor changes (labeling curb/gutter, updating conditional note, showing heritage trees).
• Item 24 (2024-078, Tripointe Homes): Approved unanimously. Councilmember Molina explained the site plan amendment removes a through-road connection that would be unsuitable due to narrow streets and strong community opposition. She supported the amendment as recommended by staff.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 25 (2024-082, City of Charlotte – Animal Care and Control): Frances McVay, a native Charlotte resident, expressed opposition citing concerns about the site's history as a city dump (1970s), potential methane gas, earthquake fault lines, and negative impacts on property values. She urged the council to research land history before approving development. Staff rebutted that environmental Phase I and II studies found no contaminants or methane on this parcel. Councilmembers requested that the reports be shared with Ms. McVay and the community.
• Item 26 (2024-083, City of Charlotte – ADU Pilot): Two speakers opposed:
  • Brandon Gary, a Microsoft employee and Belmont neighborhood resident, argued the neighborhood already has a high percentage of affordable housing (15% by land use), lacks commercial/retail walkability, and that this location is the least ideal for an ADU pilot. He suggested focusing on assisting current residents displaced by gentrification rather than further concentration of low-income housing.
  • Doug Faust, a longtime Charlotte resident and 10-year Belmont homeowner, echoed concerns about excessive affordable housing concentration leading to increased crime and stated that building an ADU on the Pegram Street parcel would require removing a 150-year-old heritage oak tree. He asked that the city consider better uses for the land. Petitioner Miles Vaughn (City of Housing and Neighborhood Services) responded that two community meetings were held, the builder amended plans to match neighborhood character, and homebuyers would undergo rigorous counseling to prepare for homeownership challenges. Staff noted that a heritage tree protection review would occur during land development review.

Public Hearings (Items 25–34)

All public hearings were opened and closed; no votes were taken. These petitions will be reviewed by the Zoning Committee on November 7, 2024.

• Item 25 (2024-082): Staff presented a 7.05-acre site for an animal shelter. The petition is inconsistent with the 2040 policy map (parks/preserves) but addresses a community need for animal care.
• Item 26 (2024-083): Staff presented two parcels for an ADU pilot program (7 sites total). The petition is partially inconsistent with the policy map.
• Item 27 (2024-049, Shreeji Hospitality): No opposition. Petitioner seeks TOD-CC zoning to refinance a hotel.
• Item 28 (2024-075, Arbo, LLC): No opposition. Conditional rezoning to CAC-1(CD) with height (50 ft) and floor area (16,500 sq ft) limits.
• Item 29 (2024-077, Drox Group): Staff presented a 194-unit multifamily townhome project; outstanding transportation and environmental issues remain.
• Item 30 (2024-080, Diallo Mamdou Korka): No opposition. Rezoning to remove legacy conditional zoning.
• Item 31 (2024-081, Caldwell Development): Councilmember Molina requested additional community feedback before a vote.
• Item 32 (2024-085, AAA Holdings): No opposition. Rezoning to align with existing commercial use; staff noted a future place type change is under consideration.
• Item 33 (2024-086, Peak Sports Holdings): Discussion focused on transportation improvements and the potential future Silver Line transit corridor.
• Item 34 (2024-092, Lucern Capital Partners): Staff presented a daycare and commercial project with EX provisions. Councilmembers expressed strong support.

Key Outcomes

• Three petitions deferred to November 18, 2024 (Items 7, 15, 16).
• Consent agenda (12 petitions) approved unanimously.
• Seven decision items approved (Items 18–24), with one (Item 17) deferred.
• One decision (Item 18) passed 6-1; Councilmember Ajmera voted no.
• All 10 public hearings were opened and closed; they will proceed to the Zoning Committee on November 7, 2024, for recommendations.