CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte officials are revisiting the city’s new zoning codes due to what they call "unintended consequences."
The Unified Development Ordinance was adopted in 2022. One of the main goals is to allow higher-density housing in more places to help address the city’s housing deficit.
Now, city planners are proposing changes that could decrease density for certain projects after finding issues with how they are being built.
Charlotte city planners told the city council on Monday that they’ve found a loophole in the UDO that is allowing builders to decrease lot sizes to fit more units.
Their concern is that the way the projects are being built is hindering people’s quality of life. That's because the developments are too close to existing housing and their streets are too small.
For example, many homeowners opposed a luxury townhome development that's currently being built on Selwyn Avenue due to its density.
"This development doesn’t have any setbacks on any of its sides," neighbor Paul Maxwell said while pointing to the project. He worries there isn’t enough space for cars or parking.
"The streets are almost nonexistent, they have tiny alleys between each building," Maxwell added.
City planning director Alyson Craig told city councilmembers she is seeing similar situations across town. "What we’re seeing is not really getting at what we had intended," Craig said.
Craig said the root of the problem is the conservation development option in the UDO. It allows builders to use smaller lot sizes and increase density if they conserve open space. However, Craig said green space isn't being conserved as they envisioned.
"I think it's just about making sure we’re getting it right," Craig added.
She’s asking city leaders to tweak the UDO to limit the conservation option to projects that are at least five acres. The current requirement is two acres.
The changes would also increase green space and buffer zone requirements, which could decrease density in some projects.
"As our city grows at such a fast pace, open space and green space continue to be a challenge," Charlotte City Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera said on Monday.
Maxwell said the changes are too late for his neighborhood, but he thinks they can help others. "I’m hoping that the authorities take a look at these new [regulations] and modify them," Maxwell said.
The city council will hold a public hearing on April 15 and is set to vote on the proposed changes on May 20.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.