Title
Public Hearing on the Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans and Revised Policy Map
Action
Action:
Conduct a public hearing on the proposed Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans and Revised Policy Map.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Monica Holmes, Planning, Design, and Development
Kathy Cornett, Planning, Design, and Development
Catherine Mahoney, Planning, Design, and Development
Explanation
§ On April 3, 2025, the City of Charlotte released fourteen draft Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans (CAPs) and a Revised Future 2040 Policy Map for public review and comment.
§ The CAPs are the second major implementation item of the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan (adopted by City Council in June 2021), following the Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map (adopted by City Council in March 2022).
§ The CAPs are an important level of policy guidance that build upon the vision and goals of the Comprehensive Plan. These plans detail how each area can contribute to Charlotte’s future vision, offering specific guidance on land use, urban design, transportation, open space, and infrastructure.
§ The CAPs contain four components: Volume I - Program Guide; Volume II - CAP Policy; Volume III - Implementation; and the Revised Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map.
- The Program Guide provides an overview of the plans’ purpose, including how they affect different users, and addresses additional policies related to the built environment that apply to all plan geographies. It also includes policy guidance for modifying the citywide Policy Map.
- The CAP Policy is considered the main body of the 14 CAPs and addresses each geography’s profile, needs, goals, recommended development pattern, and supporting projects and programs.
- The Implementation chapter includes an Implementation Guide, which assigns staff leads and potential time frames for advancing each policy recommendation.
- The Revised Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map was updated through the CAP planning process.
Background
§ In winter 2023, the first phase of the Community Area Planning process began with an analysis of each plan area’s profile, greatest needs, and prioritized goals from the Comprehensive Plan. The findings of this phase were published in 14 Community Reports, available on the project website.
§ The second phase of the Community Area Planning process (spring-fall 2023) focused on refining the Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map to ensure its recommendations for future development addressed each plan area’s greatest needs and goals. The outcome of this phase, a Revised Policy Map, was first published on the project website and open for public comment from March to June 2024. A second revised draft was published and open for public comment from September to November 2024.
§ The third phase (spring-fall 2024) identified planned infrastructure projects and existing programs that will support future growth. The community was also asked for input on additional projects and programs needed in the future.
§ In the fourth phase (fall 2024), the various components of the planning process were compiled into 14 draft documents.
§ On April 7, 2025, Planning, Design, and Development Department staff presented the plans to the Transportation, Planning, and Development Council Committee.
§ On April 14, 2025, staff presented the plans to the Planning Commission.
§ On April 15, 2025, staff presented the plans to the Planning Committee of the Planning Commission.
§ On April 28, 2025, staff presented the plans to City Council during their regular business meeting.
§ The Revised Policy Map and additional information can be found on the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan website: https://www.cltfuture2040.com
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Community Area Plan Volume I - Program Guide
Appendix
Community Area Plan - East Inner
Community Area Plan - East Middle & Outer
Community Area Plan - North Inner
Community Area Plan - North Middle & Outer
Community Area Plan - South Inner
Community Area Plan - South Middle
Community Area Plan - South Outer
Community Area Plan - Southwest Middle
Community Area Plan - Southwest Outer
Community Area Plan - West Inner
Community Area Plan - West Outer
Community Area Plan - Northeast Inner
Community Area Plan - Northeast Middle & Outer
Community Area Plan - West Middle