Charlotte City Council Business Meeting - February 24, 2025

The meeting included consent agenda approvals, a public forum with 15 speakers, a public hearing on Norfolk Southern O-Line corridor financing, policy discussions including an update on equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD), and several business items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved consent items 13–30, with the exception of item 16 (McCullough Drive Streetscape Improvements) which drew a comment from Councilmember Johnson, and item 29 (Elvis Storm Drainage Improvement Parcel #4) which was pulled by staff after being settled.
• Item 16: Councilmember Johnson highlighted the $6,875,000.22 contract for McCullough Drive Streetscape Improvements, noting it meets MBE/WBE goals and has support from University City Partners.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jonathan Gardner (Guard House): Requested partnership with the city's workforce development initiative; described his program connecting underserved college students with employers.
• Natalie Yaspas (Oberbeck Farm Neighborhood Association): Requested updating code enforcement rules on neglected premises, citing safety and criminal activity concerns from vacant homes.
• Jay Walker: Complained about racial harassment from a neighbor and criticized mediation efforts; said he will not negotiate.
• Joseph Morales (Michael's Landing): Asked the city to repurpose a city-owned parcel at North Graham Street and University City Boulevard for placemaking and tree canopy restoration.
• Valerie Washington: Expressed gratitude for housing assistance from city staff Kenny Robinson and Danielle.
• David Robloso (Operation Clean Health): Proposed a community laundry fund to support various groups; sought a city champion.
• Kelsey Joseph (animal advocate): Urged funding for a new animal shelter and independence from CMPD; reported 229 animals entering the shelter in one week.
• Kevin Alexander: Supported Kelsey Joseph's remarks; noted the shelter is overwhelmed by the city's growth.
• Danine L. Carroll: Asked the city to work with NCDOT to restrict road construction to off-peak hours (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) to reduce congestion.
• Kendall Little: Requested expedited installation of a traffic light at Belmont and North Davidson; recounted witnessing eight accidents and one involving a pregnant woman.
• Monica Williams (Park at Oaklawn): Delivered a poem criticizing Enlivion's management of the apartment complex, linking it to gentrification and neglect.
• Sean Williams (Park at Oaklawn HOA President): Detailed mismanagement by Enlivion, including maintenance failures and rising violent crime; asked for intervention.
• Ann Lambert (theater artist): Thanked council for creating the Arts and Culture Board; urged council to attend independent arts events and implement the Arts and Culture Plan.
• Tommy Nichols (PowerWorld BSA, Charlotte Black Film Festival): Highlighted his organization's work with NEA and Sundance; invited council to visit CLT Creative Workspace.
• Chef Maria Kent: Advocated for caregiver support programs; cited Forbes that 73% of employees have a second job caregiving.

Public Hearing

• Norfolk Southern O-Line Corridor Acquisition Financing: No speakers. Council closed the public hearing and adopted a resolution approving a directly placed installment financing contract not to exceed $93,000,000 to reimburse acquisition costs for the Red Line Commuter Rail project.

Discussion Items

• Evolution of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Monica Holmes (Planning Director) and Warren Wooten (Housing and Neighborhood Services) presented an overview and update. Key points:

  • Early TOD (2001 principles) focused on mixed uses, engaging community spaces, and accessibility; equitable TOD (ETOD) added development centered on equity.
  • Along the Blue and Gold lines, $12 billion in private investment resulted in ~50,000 housing units (2,500 affordable) and 12 million sq ft of non-residential space within half-mile of stations.
  • Lessons learned: need to build in affordability from the start, use anti-displacement policies, and deploy multiple tools (land acquisition, fee-in-lieu, NOAH preservation, ARR program for single-family, neighborhood stabilization).
  • Future ETOD strategies include community-led planning, pilot projects, and a scorecard to measure success.
  • Councilmember comments: Mayor Lyles urged investment in land acquisition and a mirror program for small businesses. Councilmembers Johnson, Ajmera, Mayfield, Watlington, and others emphasized affordable housing goals, homeownership, small business support, and aligning with housing trust fund allocations. Mayor noted that over 70% of CATS riders are people of color and over 60% earn less than $60,000/year.

• National League of Cities 2029 City Summit (Item 9): Adopted resolution to host the summit in Charlotte, estimated economic impact of $6.3 million (previous 2017 summit).

• Upset Bid Process for City-Owned Property on East 27th Street (Item 10): Adopted resolution authorizing the sale of a 0.065-acre parcel to Gambills II, LLC for $57,000, with publication of notice for upset bids.

• Airport 2025 General Airport Revenue Bonds (Item 11): Adopted initial findings resolution authorizing up to $350 million in bonds, and set a public hearing for April 28, 2025. A motion to waive rules to allow public comment immediately failed 3-6.

• Appointments to Public Transit Advisory Committee (Item 12): Council appointed Robert Hillman and Tonya Jameson to two-year terms (effective immediately, ending December 31, 2026).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved except items 16 and 29 (16 noted for comment; 29 withdrawn).
• Public hearing closed and resolution passed for $93M O-Line corridor installment financing.
• Resolution adopted to host NLC 2029 City Summit.
• Upset bid process authorized for East 27th St property.
• Initial findings resolution adopted for $350M airport revenue bonds; public hearing set for April 28, 2025.
• Appointments to Public Transit Advisory Committee: Robert Hillman and Tonya Jameson.
• Council moved into closed session (prior to business meeting) to consult with attorney on property transactions and a lawsuit (25 CV 007182-590, NATO v. City of Charlotte).