CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new high-rise apartment building is coming to Plaza Midwood and it's the tallest in the neighborhood thus far.
Charlotte City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to approve a roughly 12-story apartment building that will have commercial space on its ground floor.
The mixed-use development will replace the parking lot on Commonwealth Avenue next to the Julien Apartments. Many people are excited about the growth, but others think the future high-rise will dwarf the other buildings in Plaza Midwood.
"It just seems a bit jarring," Plaza Midwood resident Bethany Salisbury said about the building's height.
The plans allow for 175 apartment units and a maximum height of 126 feet, which is about 12 stories. The property is just shy of an acre.
Developers shortened their original plans from 150 feet and city council members applauded them for their compromises. "I am very happy with where we’re at," Mayor Pro Tem Dante Anderson said.
However, for many neighbors, accepting a high-rise in that location is a tall order.
"I mean, I feel like it sort of overshadows the kind of mixture of urban and also family neighborhoods," Salisbury added.
To compare, the Commonwealth mixed-use development currently being built on Central and Pecan Avenues is about seven stories tall on a 12-acre property.
The changes are fueling a fear that Plaza Midwood could lose its eclectic identity. "It just seems like it's not gonna fit the aesthetic very well," Salisbury said.
Before voting to approve the development, Anderson said growth is inevitable, and thoughtful development will take Plaza Midwood to new heights.
"As we move forward with development in Plaza Midwood and the adjacent neighborhoods, there will be more projects that bring more density," Anderson said.
Many residents are also worried about the lack of parking as the area continues to grow. The future Silver Line will have two light rail stops near where the high-rise will be built.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.