The Charlotte City Council held a zoning meeting on May 18, 2026, beginning with an invocation recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. The meeting processed multiple rezoning petitions, including consent items, public hearings, and votes. Key topics included affordable housing, transit-oriented development, historic preservation, and infrastructure concerns.
You for joining us for the Charlotte City Council zoning meeting as of May the eighteenth, twenty twenty six, and I am just delighted to be able to join you guys. It's been a while. You know, somebody in the newspaper said she's not done this in years, and I was thinking, and thank God I didn't. I just want to say how much I want to say thank you all. You know, being in the city is a wonderful, wonderful experience. I mean, almost every one of you, I think I could call out your names or at least one place that you've been with me. And um, I want you to know I'm just grateful for it. Um what has happened through my life and my livelihood has been because of all of you. So thank you very much. I'm sorry, I have to remember everybody at the dais. So why don't we start with our clerk? Billy Fonds, Deputy City Clerk. Good evening, Dimple Schmier. Good evening, I'm Victoria Wattlington, and I have the pleasure of serving you as a member at large. Joey Mayo, representing District Three. Allison Craig, Deputy City Manager. And I'm Vi Lauza, short-term mayor. I didn't know you did bikes. Good evening, J.D. Masuetta audio, proudly representing the East Side District Five. Good evening, I'm Renee Johnson, and I'm honored to represent District 4. Alright. We will begin our meeting with an invocation, expressions, and inspiration, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation is made by a council member who and it is intended to solemnize what we do as our work as we celebrate religious diversity in our community, including those without a religious faith. Tonight, I believe that we're going to have Councilmember Joy Mayo provide us our ability to begin our meeting. So if you'll all stand if you have a choice for this, you can't pray first. Yeah, okay. Thank you. Tonight as we gather to do the work of the people, I invite us into a moment of reflection. May is recognize this Mental Health Awareness Month. A reminder that while many see titles, positions, and responsibilities. Behind each seat in this chamber and through our city are human beings carrying hopes, challenges, responsibilities, and unforeseen burdens. Let us remember that leadership is not only measured by the decisions we make, but by the compassion we extend, the dignity we show one another, and the courage to listen, even when we disagree. We give thanks for the residents of Charlotte, for the families raising children, the teachers shaping minds, the first responders protecting our neighborhoods, and small business owners creating opportunity, and the countless neighbors who quietly serve others every day. Grant us wisdom in our deliberations, humility in our leadership, patience and moments of tension, envision to make decisions that strengthen not only our city today, but generations to come. May we lead with purpose, serve with integrity and never lose sight that public services at its core about people. Amen. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the black of the United States of America and to the public for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Thank you, everyone, for that. All right, so the let's begin with the rezoning process begins with applications submitted to the planning staff for review. There are two types of cases on the agenda: decisions and hearings. Decisions are cases for which a public hearing has was previously held, and there will be no further comment for public for public hearings. Anyone wishing to speak is asked to see the clerk before the start of the hearing. Staff will provide a presentation and the petitioner will have three minutes to two minutes. I believe today. There's three minutes today from Bind to present the case, unless there are opponents signed up to speak, or staff is in opposition. If there are opponents signed up to speak, or staff is in opposition, the petitioner will have 10 minutes to present, followed by the opposition speakers who will have 10 minutes combined to present, and the petitioner will have a two-minute rebuttal. If no one is signed up to speak, staff will provide a short presentation, and the public hearing will then be closed. Following the public hearings, petitions go to the zoning committee of the planning commission.