On October 6, 2016, ULI members gathered to learn more about the upcoming zoning rewrite and how it will impact development and the growth of our community.  A panel moderated by Tony Lathrop of Moore & Van Allen and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission Chair, included Ed McKinney, City of Charlotte, Bridget Grant, Moore & Van Allen and Chris Thomas, Childress Klein Properties.  Some of the quick facts we heard include:

Charlotte is focused on transportation, mixed land, affordable housing, open public spaces, healthy local foods, and preservation of fresh air.  Zoning discrepancies create challenges to achieving this. More than half of development is designed to meet current and evolving consumer demand has yet to be built in Charlotte. Looking toward the year 2035, much of the re-development is on the way and vertical growth expected.  The present zoning ordinance is severely out of date and conflicts with other regulations and ordinances on the books.  There are different zoning ordinance philosophies:

• Place-based – a popular code – examples of code for development such what happened along Morehead Ave and at Northlake Mall
• Form-based – more rigid based on class of property – Industrial, Multifamily, Retail, Commercial, Residential
• Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) – method that provides continuity across multiple types of developments
• Hybrid – combines the above – likely the method Charlotte will adopt to draft next ordinance.

Beginning the Fall of 2016, a committee will be formed to begin looking at the new code/ordinance.  The process will include community involvement along with professional direction.  The draft process likely to take 18-24 mos. Implementation will take multiple years.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a UDO / Hybrid Model

• Advantages
  • Creates a common language to identify districts
  • Create common definitions to describe area – ease of understanding
  • Better address how things are measured – consistency and efficiency
  • More easily define “Setbacks”
  • Provides greater continuity across all types of development
• Disadvantages
  • It’s been in place for a long time, could it possibly act as a barrier to creativity?

Charlotte is moving toward a new mantra of “Live, Work, Play” developments.  We are seeing the market mature enough to grasp the notion and starting to see projects like Waverly, that is a “Sub”urban development.  By creating a more efficient drafting structure, this will allow developers to concentrate on developing for the needs of the community, as opposed to swimming through red-tape on each project.

Click here to download a copy of the presentation

Notes provide by Matt Grange, Ascension Benefits and Insurance Solution, Charlotte, NC.