Mecklenburg Times: News for Mecklenburg, Union and Iredell counties Real Estate, Development, Construction, and Community News in the Charlotte area and throughout Mecklenburg, Union and Iredell counties
CHARLOTTE – The Pedestrian Overlay District was added to the Charlotte zoning ordinance in 2000, offering something a little different for developers.
They had to contend with strict design standards and increased infrastructure costs in PED Overlay Districts, but, in turn, were allowed to increase density to make up for the upfront costs. But the specific density wasn’t explicit in the ordinance.
Now, 13 years later, the city is revisiting the PED rules to clarify the density issue. PED Overlay was instituted to encourage pedestrian-friendly corridors in the city. The Metropolitan, off Charlottetowne Avenue and Kings Drive, is an example.
Sandra Montgomery, a planner with the city, said the planning department is proposing adding a line in the ordinance that makes it clear there is no maximum residential density within the restrictions of the PED Overlay District.
“(Developers) are limited by height setbacks…and other setbacks,” she said. “It gives an envelope within which to develop.”
The Charlotte City Council in March held a public hearing on the amendment, but members of the Dilworth neighborhood voiced concerns, prompting the city to defer the amendment and hold meetings with those neighbors.
Montgomery said the next public hearing will be held in September at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, at 600 E. Fourth St.
