City Council Reinstates I-77 Support And Approves Rezonings On September 21, 2026

The Charlotte City Council held a lengthy meeting on September 21, 2026, combining regular zoning business with a major policy vote on the I-77 South Express Lanes Project. The meeting addressed several consent agenda rezonings, individual zoning decisions, and public hearings on development proposals. The central debate of the evening, however, was a motion to reinstate support for the I-77 South Express Lanes Public-Private Partnership (P3) under direct pressure from a state legislative mandate (Session Law 2026-41), which passed by a 7-4 vote.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved rezonings for petitions 2025-123 (Sanders Partnership), 2026-011 (Tribute Companies), 2026-026 (Nativity of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church), 2026-032 (Savalex Homes), and 2026-037 (Historical Excelsior) in a single consent motion.
• Petition 2026-029 (Rachel Regalado) was deferred prior to the consent vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

Zoning Hearings

• Petition 2026-023 (Middleburg): Greg Raymond, a local business owner, testified in opposition, citing severe existing traffic congestion on Wilkinson Boulevard. The petitioner, Bridget Grant, argued the rezoning was appropriate given site constraints and offered 10% of units at 80% AMI for 20 years. The Council closed the public hearing but expressed the need for further work with the petitioner and staff.
• Petition 2025-137 (Blue Azalea Asset Management): Dale Powell, President of the Sir John's Hill Homeowners Association, spoke in favor, noting an 84% support vote among homeowners for the sale and redevelopment of the property.
• Petitions 2026-033, 2026-041, 2026-044: No public opposition was voiced. The hearings were closed.

I-77 South Express Lanes Policy Hearing

• Over 50 residents and stakeholders provided public comment. A majority of speakers opposed the project, raising concerns over induced demand (with one speaker citing NCDOT's own analysis projecting a 44% increase in daily traffic), the destruction of historic Black neighborhoods (Wilmore, McCrorey Heights), racial equity, the coercive nature of the state's $70 million penalty, and the lack of a full independent alternatives analysis. Speakers who voiced support primarily cited the $300 million binding community benefits package, the safety and congestion crisis on the corridor, and the economic necessity of improving the region's infrastructure. Groups such as Sustained Charlotte, Five Points Community Collaborative, and West Side neighborhood leaders urged the Council to maintain its opposition, while the Real Estate Building Industry Coalition (REBIC) and South Charlotte Partners urged approval.

Discussion Items

Zoning Decisions & Hearings

• The Council approved a zoning change for Hendrick Motor Sports Complex (Petition 2026-019) after the applicant added a commitment for an undisturbed Class A landscape buffer, responding to Councilmember Mayo’s request for greater separation from existing single-family homes.
• The Council approved a rezoning for Charlotte Pipe and Foundry (Petition 2026-031) despite a staff recommendation against it. Councilmember Mayo praised the addition of pervious concrete to mitigate stormwater issues.
• The Council approved a rezoning for DreamKey Partners (Petition 2026-035) contingent on a direct sidewalk connection to Beatties Ford Road.
• A significant portion of the zoning discussion focused on the use of 80% Area Median Income (AMI) to define affordable housing. Councilmember Johnson questioned the meaningfulness of 80% AMI commitments, arguing it does not serve the city’s lowest-income residents. Councilmember Mayfield requested a formal referral to the Housing and Neighborhood Services Committee to discuss the definition and implications of 80% AMI in development commitments.
• Petition 2026-041 (Owl Services): Councilmember Mayo deferred the item due to unresolved safety and streetlight issues on Arrowood Road, stating she would not support the petition until the problems were fixed.

I-77 South Express Lanes Policy

• The Council debate was sharply divided. Supporters of the main motion to reinstate the P3 argued that the $300 million community benefits package (including caps and stitches to reconnect neighborhoods, affordable housing funds, green space, and small business support) was historic, legally binding, and represented hard-won concessions from NCDOT that would be lost if rejected.
• Councilmember Graham described his support as a result of intense negotiation, stating the agreement secures legally enforceable protections for West Charlotte that were not present a year ago. Councilmember Owens called her vote an “indictment of a coercive process” but a “commitment to the people of West Charlotte.”
• Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Mazuera Arias led the opposition. Councilmember Johnson scrutinized the constitutionality of the state’s payback provision and argued that agreeing under duress sets a dangerous democratic precedent. Councilmember Mazuera Arias framed the vote as a fight for local democracy, stating, “Our democracy does not have a price tag.” Councilmember Watlington cited the lack of a complete independent alternatives analysis as a key reason for her opposition.

Key Outcomes

• I-77 South Express Lanes Project: The Council voted 7-4 to approve the motion to reinstate support for the P3 funding model, authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with NCDOT, and direct the City’s CRTPO representative to vote in favor of reinstatement.
• Zoning Approvals: Petitions 2026-019, 2026-028, 2026-031, 2026-035, 2025-137, 2026-033, and 2026-044 were approved. Petition 2026-023 (Middleburg) was left open for continued work. Petition 2026-041 (Owl Services) was deferred.
• Committee Referral: Councilmember Mayfield’s request for a referral to the Housing and Neighborhood Services Committee to study the effectiveness and definitions of 80% AMI in affordable housing commitments was noted by the Mayor.
• Deferrals and Withdrawals: Multiple petitions were deferred to October 19, 2026, including items from Panorama Development, C4 Investments (Crosland Southeast), and Eminent Investments. Petition 2025-133 by Carolinas Properties III was withdrawn.