More dense housing is coming to Elizabeth's booming 7th Street
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Rendering: Courtesy of Centrum Realty & Development
Charlotte city leaders OK'd a highly debated development that will introduce more dense housing between the burgeoning East 7th Street corridor and Elizabeth's quiet residential community.
Why it matters: The development demonstrates the ongoing division in Elizabeth. Neighbors are split over how to preserve the area's history while embracing its inevitable future as an expansion of center city.
Flashback: Last month, Charlotte City Council voted to defer the rezoning necessary for this project. Some members worried the maximum height of 78 feet would set a precedent for taller buildings. Plus, city staff had recommended denial.
- But city staff has since changed its position after tweaking some details with the developer, Centrum Realty & Development.
- A city planner told council that Centrum is contributing $132,439.50 to the city's affordable housing efforts in exchange for the height.
The latest: The approved iteration comprises 175 residential units, down from 213 and 193 in two earlier versions. It's on a vacant lot between Lamar Avenue and Clement Avenue.
- Plans incorporate 4,000 square feet of retail and 1.25 underground parking spots per unit, per city documents. That's an increase from an earlier site plan that had 1.1 spots.
- The height is the same as pitched last month. The front of the building would reach 78 feet, and the rear would be a max of 45 feet to ease the impact on single-family homes.
The big picture: Proponents view this vote as a "yes" for supplying housing, which may help meet demand and lower prices.
What they're saying: "What we have before us is an opportunity to bring an incredible building that is architecturally and materially aesthetic and unique and different," the area's district rep Danté Anderson said.
The other side: Council member LaWana Mayfield was the sole "nay" vote. She said these types of projects lead to major neighborhood transitions and negatively impact decades-long residents.
- Opponents believe it won't fit in with the neighborhood and won't provide enough parking.
Editor's note: We've updated this story with a new rendering of the development.