Title
Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans and Revised Policy Map
Action
Action:
A. Adopt the seven proposed Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans (Volume I - Program Guide and Volume II - Community Area Plan Policy) and Revised Policy Map, and
B. Amend the seven previously adopted Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans (Volume I - Program Guide and Volume II - Community Area Plan Policy).
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Monica Holmes, Planning, Design, and Development
Kathy Cornett, Planning, Design, and Development
Catherine Mahoney, Planning, Design, and Development
Explanation
§ The Community Area Plans (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).
§ On November 24, 2025, City Council voted to adopt the proposed Community Area Plan (Volume I - Program Guide, Volume II - CAP Policy) and Revised Policy Map for: East Inner, Northeast Inner, South Inner, South Middle, South Outer, Southwest Middle, and Southwest Outer.
§ The proposed Community Area Plan (Volume I - Program Guide, Volume II - CAP Policy) and Revised Policy Map for the East Middle and Outer, North Inner, North Middle and Outer, Northeast Middle and Outer, West Inner, West Middle, West Outer were deferred until no later than March 23, 2026.
§ Staff hosted additional engagement opportunities from January through February 2026, including an online survey and workshops on February 12, 17, 19, and 24.
§ On March 9, 2026, City Council received an overview of the final proposed changes for the seven deferred and seven adopted plans based on community feedback received through the 2026 engagement opportunities.
§ On March 23, 2026, City Council held a public hearing to amend the seven adopted plans. City Council voted to defer decision on the adoption of the seven proposed plans and amendment of the seven adopted plans.
§ On March 23, 2026, the Planning Committee of the Planning Commission unanimously recommended (5-0) approval to amend, with conditions to the proposed changes, of the seven adopted plans.
Background
§ 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 Charlotte City Council will not be asked to adopt Volume III - Implementation.
- The Revised Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map was updated through the CAP planning process.
§ 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 through 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 through 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 3, 2025, the City of Charlotte released 14 draft Charlotte Future 2040 CAPs and a Revised Future 2040 Policy Map for public review and comment.
§ On April 7, 2025, staff presented the plans to the Transportation, Planning, and Development 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.
§ City Council received an overview of the plans during their April 28, 2025, Business Meeting.
§ On May 12, 2025, City Council held a public hearing on the plans and Revised Policy Map.
§ City Council received an update on public engagement efforts, which reached 491,000 people and received 2,520 comments throughout the planning process, at their June 9, 2025, Business Meeting.
§ On June 17, 2025, the Planning Committee of the Planning Commission unanimously recommended (7-0) adoption, with proposed changes, of the Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans and the Revised Policy Map.
§ On July 14 and 15, 2025, staff hosted two public webinars, to provide additional opportunities for community engagement.
§ On August 4, 2025, staff presented the final proposed changes based on community feedback, to the Transportation, Planning, and Development Council Committee.
§ On September 22, 2025, City Council recommended (10-1) deferral of the Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans and the Revised Policy Map.
§ On November 6, 2025, staff hosted the “Your Neighborhood, Your Plan: Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Plans Explained” webinar as an additional public engagement opportunity.
§ On November 24, 2025, City Council adopted seven of the CAPs: East Inner, Northeast Inner, South Inner, South Middle, South Outer, Southwest Middle, and Southwest Outer.
§ Council voted to defer consideration of seven of the CAPs to March 2026 and directed staff to engage in additional community engagement opportunities.
§ After conducting additional engagement, staff recommend three types of proposed changes:
- New policies that provide additional guidance in three key areas:
§ Managing neighborhood change: Policies that balance preserving valued neighborhood characteristics with accommodating growth. These policies support context-sensitive infill development.
§ Reducing environmental impacts: Policies that promote environmentally responsible growth and improve transitions between land uses, particularly where neighborhoods and manufacturing areas meet. These policies also encourage future projects and public investments to help reduce existing environmental impacts.
§ Ensuring infrastructure can support growth: Policies that align future growth with infrastructure capacity and commit the city to regularly reviewing how development affects transportation services.
- Minor additions and revisions that clarify language, strengthen policy intent, and ensure the plans more accurately reflect community priorities.
- Policy Map changes that incorporate community feedback while remaining consistent with the citywide mapping approach.
§ 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 Proposed Changes for Final Documents
Community Area Plan Volume I - Program Guide
Community Area Plan Volume II - Policy
Appendix
Ordinances