CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A huge community with housing, retail and an elementary school is coming to University City.
Monday night, the Charlotte City Council unanimously approved a 182-acre development off John Adams Road near the 85 and 485 interchange.
The approval comes despite the Charlotte Zoning Committee recommending denial of the project's rezoning application. City leaders heard concerns from the zoning committee chair but ultimately supported the development because of the community benefits it offered.
"They're dedicating land for a school, they're dedicating land for a park, there's an affordable housing component, there's traffic improvements," councilmember Renee Johnson said before voting yes.
The project includes nearly 2,000 housing units, which will be single-family houses, townhomes, duplexes, and apartments. There will also be retail space, a public park, and an elementary school.
Members of the city’s zoning committee said they have concerns about the development's location.
"It's too far and hidden away from a major thoroughfare," said committee chair Douglas Welton. "In the end, that may cause some issues."
The builder's plan is to make several traffic improvements, like installing stop lights and more turn lanes on surrounding roads.
However, Welton worries about access to public transit.
"Those of us who were opposed to the petition believe the proximity, more than three-quarters of a mile up John Adams, made this too far away from transportation," Welton explained.
Johnson previously raised concerns about the project because of Charlotte’s dwindling tree canopy but said the plans save more trees than what the city requires.
"The area is going to change and they’re allowing tree save, more than we would get by right," said Johnson.
Developers are promising to donate at least nine acres of land to the county to create a public park in the neighborhood.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.