Title
South End Vision Plan
Action
Action:
Approve the Transportation and Planning Committee’s recommendation to adopt the South End Vision Plan, with proposed revisions.
Body
Committee Chair:
Greg Phipps, Transportation and Planning
Staff Resource(s):
Taiwo Jaiyeoba, Planning
Monica Carney Holmes, Planning
Explanation
§ The South End Vision Plan (Plan) focuses on the area located in Council District 3 between I-277, South Boulevard, Clanton Road, and South Tryon Street. The Plan 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, goals and implementation strategies to achieve that vision, as well as updates two existing area plans: the South End Station Area Plan and the New Bern Station Area Plan. The Plan also incorporates the recommendations from detailed corridor studies for the portions of South Tryon Street and South Boulevard within the plan’s boundaries.
§ The Plan’s vision and goals also incorporates diverse price-point housing recommendations to achieve a future South End where all ages and socioeconomic levels have a place to live.
Planning Process
§ The Plan development process began in fall 2016 and involved hundreds of residents and visitors to South End.
§ The planning process also included a Steering Committee of neighborhood leaders, business owners, developers, artists, and longtime residents. Four meetings were held with the Steering Committee throughout the process.
Plan Outline
§ The Plan includes a 30 year framework for South End to become a people-first, walkable, transit oriented district.
§ Five focus areas are outlined in the Plan: South Boulevard, South Tryon Street, the Gold District, Distribution/New Bern, and Camden Road - with growth recommendations for each.
§ Chapters one through five of the Plan include an overview of the process, the guiding principles, as well as the vision for the Focus Areas, as well as design guidelines, and an implementation strategy.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission
§ The consultant presented an overview of the process and policy recommendations to the Planning Commission during the meeting on July 18, 2017, with additional discussion occurring during the meetings on September 19, 2017, and October 17, 2017.
§ The Planning Commission held public comment on the Plan and Area Plan Amendments on November 21, 2017.
§ The Commission continued discussion on April 17, 2018, and May 15, 2018, and recommended adoption by a vote of 6-0.
Committee Discussion
§ The Transportation and Planning Committee (Committee) reviewed the draft Plan during the meetings on October 9, 2017, April 23, 2018, and May 29, 2018.
§ The Committee recommended the Plan for public comment to full City Council.
§ On April 9, City Council received public comments from seven speakers, all in support of the Plan. Comments included how residents came together, how the Plan responded to concerns, the balanced nature of recommendations, and the need for diligence in following the Plan as development proposals come forward.
§ The Committee continued discussion on April 23, 2018, and recommended the plan for adoption to City Council on May 29, 2018, after including changes to the draft that strengthened language regarding affordable, diverse price point housing and the shifting demographics of the neighborhood.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
South End Vision Plan
South End Vision Plan Proposed Amendments