Title
Public Comment on the South End Vision Plan and Plan Amendments
Action
Action:
Receive public comments on the South End Vision Plan and amendments to the South End Station Area Plan and the New Bern Transit Station Area Plan.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Taiwo Jaiyeoba, Planning
Monica Holmes, Planning
Explanation
§ The South End Vision Plan (Plan) focuses on the neighborhood within four Blue Station Areas - Carson Station, Bland Station, East/West Station, and New Bern Station. I-277 is the northern limit of the study area, with Foster Avenue forming the southern edge, S. Tryon Street being the western boundary, and one block east of South Boulevard forming the eastern boundary. The plan was created by compiling extensive input from South End neighborhood leaders, business owners, residents, and other stakeholders. It envisions a South End that continues to be on Charlotte’s leading edge of urban livability, technology, and sustainability.
§ The Plan includes a refreshed vision statement, along with goals and implementation strategies to achieve that vision, including amendments to two existing area plans (South End Station Area Plan and New Bern Station Area Plan). The Plan also incorporates the recommendations from detailed corridor studies for South Tryon Street and South Boulevard within the plan area.
§ The South End Vision planning process began in Summer 2016 as a combined effort between the City of Charlotte and Charlotte Center City Partners. Stantec (consultant), an international urban design and architecture firm, was hired to lead the Vision Plan process. Their work included stakeholder interviews, facilitating the steering committee meetings, organizing and responding to the public engagement, and utilizing their expertise to craft a Vision Plan document with recommendations.
§ City Council will be asked to adopt the vision and concept (Chapters 1, 2, and 3) of the South End Vision Plan, as well as the New Bern Station Area Plan Amendments and the South End Station Area Plan Amendments at a future City Council meeting.
§ Chapters 4 and 5 of the Plan serve as an implementation guide, and as standard practice for all Area Plans, are not adopted by City Council.
Community Input
§ Staff held two public meetings, with over 100 people in attendance at the kickoff and 200 people in attendance at the second public meeting in July 2017.
§ A 20+ stakeholder steering committee led the process. City staff, in conjunction with Charlotte Center City Partners and the consultant, facilitated four steering committee meetings.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission (Planning Committee)
§ The consultant presented an overview of the process and policy recommendations to the Planning Committee at their July 18, 2017 meeting.
§ The Planning Committee was briefed on the Plan during their September 19, October 17, and November 21, 2017 meetings.
Transportation and Planning Committee
§ The Transportation and Planning Committee (Committee) reviewed the draft Plan during their regular meeting on October 9, 2017.
§ The Committee voted unanimously (Ajmera, Lyles, Phipps, and Smith; Kinsey absent) to refer the plan to the full City Council for public comment.
Next Steps
§ The Planning Committee is expected to continue their review of the South End Vision Plan and the amendments following public hearing and make a recommendation to the City Council.
§ The Transportation and Planning Committee is expected to continue their review of the Plan in April and make a recommendation to the City Council.
§ It is anticipated that City Council will be asked to adopt the Plan and amendments at a future City Council meeting once Planning Committee and Transportation and Planning Committee have finished their review of the plan.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
South End Vision Plan (Draft): <http://charlottenc.gov/planning/AreaPlanning/Pages/SouthEndVisionPlan.aspx>