CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tensions remained high Monday night as Charlotte City Council addressed the Comprehensive 2040 Plan. While city leaders aren’t voting on the overall plan just yet, key elements were discussed Monday night and changes are being made for a final draft.
The draft of the plan is available online at cltfuture2040.com. A vote on the overall plan is expected on June 21.
City Council was divided yet again Monday and showing their frustrations, this time over 10-minute neighborhoods -- an idea that all Charlotte households should have access to essential amenities, goods, and services within a 10-minute walk, bike or transit ride.
"The truth is that we are divided about this," Councilmember Ed Driggs said after a series of comments.
Republican councilmember Tariq Bokhari was heated after multiple requests, one of which was voted and approved by council in a straw vote, to include advanced technology as a way of providing goods and services in the 10-minute neighborhoods mission.
"I just am bewildered in not understanding why the planning director continues to fight on something that is so universally accepted on this council, and not controversial by anyone but him," Bokhari said Monday.
"At some point, we have to be allowed to put our own imprint on it," Driggs, also a republican, added. "We can't be working in an environment where we as the elected representatives of the people who have ultimate responsibility for this feel that we are not able to put forward modifications to this plan and just have them implemented."
Criticisms of staff's work came from both sides of the political aisle.
"I mean, I don't know if you listened to the transcript multiple times because there was a lack of understanding, or if there's a reason that you would be looking for ways not to write what we ask," said Councilmember Renee Johnson, a democrat. "I mean that's how it feels."
City staff's new recommendation for the idea of the 10-minute neighborhood was presented to council on Monday as follows:
Goal 1 - All Charlotte households should have access to essential amenities, goods, and services within a comfortable, tree-shaded 10-minute walk, bike, or transit trip by 2040. Not all neighborhoods are expected to include every essential amenity, good, or service, but every resident should have access within a ½ mile walk or a 2-mile bike or transit trip.
New Policy: 1.6 Integrate emerging technologies and future innovations in planning, policy and infrastructure investment to facilitate delivery of goods and services directly to residents and businesses.
"I listened to my colleague and I read what's on paper and I'm not sure there's a difference of the two besides a play on words," Councilmember Malcolm Graham responded.
At one point Monday night, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles even stepped in to note she hasn't seen a council as divided as this one.
The 2040 plan incorporates input from thousands of Charlotte residents collected during the past three years at events and forums held throughout the city. The events, including several town halls hosted by city council members, covered key topics such as single-family zoning and 10-minute neighborhoods as well as the fiscal impacts of the plan.
“Together, we are creating a plan that will guide Charlotte’s development and create a city that fosters opportunity in every neighborhood," Mayor Pro Tem and Chair of the Transportation, Planning and Environment Committee Julie Eiselt previously said.
The planning committee is set to meet again on June 15.
Contact Hunter Sáenz at hsaenz@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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