How can the city incorporate more green/sustainable building standards? How can we protect more of our historic buildings?

Members of the City’s new Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) asked these questions during an April 1, 2017 meeting with planning staff on Charlotte Place Types/UDO.  The CLA is a free 8-week course specifically designed for Charlotteans who are ready to take the next step in being community leaders and improving the quality of life in all of Charlotte’s neighborhoods.

As a general planning principle, the “greenest” buildings are often ones that are already built, especially historic buildings. Sustainable design in new construction is important, but the embodied energy (materials/energy used to make bricks, glass, steel, etc.) in existing buildings makes them “Super Sustainable”.  Planning staff also noted that Historic Landmarks (Mecklenburg County designation for individual buildings) and Historic Districts (City of Charlotte zoning districts for neighborhoods) both need high levels of commitment from property owners.

Among the audience of 30 people, greenways were another topic that came up as Planning staff shared Here’s What We Heard from meetings in Nov.-Dec. 2016.  Our conversation with CLA members was part of a multi-week series, but we’re glad to meet groups as needed.  If your organization’s interested in learning more about Charlotte Place Types/UDO, check out Request A Meeting under Get Involved on our home page.

How can we better engage renters? How can we keep our existing business district buildings?

These were a couple of questions raised by members of the North Davidson (NoDa) Neighborhood & Business Association at a March 21, 2017 meeting with planning staff to learn more about Charlotte Place Types and the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

Seven NoDa neighbors noted that they’re trying to balance the neighborhood’s mill village past, notably in architectural character within the neighborhood’s residential interior.  A few common elements of the neighborhood’s residential character include:  deep eaves, front porches, large windows, and wood frame construction.

Planning staff noted that as part of the upcoming UDO, infill development and change in older neighborhoods will definitely be a conversation topic.  Planning staff also noted that tools ranging from historic districts to neighborhood conservation overlay districts (NCOD) are potential tools for addressing concerns about context-sensitive development.

NoDa neighbors also indicated interests in using adaptive reuse to preserve older buildings along North Davidson Street and 36th Street, NoDa’s business district. Given the neighborhood’s popularity, NoDa neighbors are also keen to engage renters as new apartment buildings develop in the neighborhood.

NoDa neighbors were also curious about planning/zoning tools that affect housing affordability, which is a conversation topic in many in-town neighborhoods.  Planning staff noted that the ease or burden of creating housing supply is influenced by planning/zoning, and will be part of a larger community conversation in creating the UDO.

Our conversation with NoDa neighbors was around the table at local restaurant, so we’re glad to meet people in a range of settings.  If your organization’s interested in learning more about Charlotte Place Types/UDO, check out Request A Meeting under Get Involved on our home page.