Charlotte's massive fight over density and infrastructure hits a little neighborhood
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A sign on Timber Lane. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios
A single-family neighborhood off Sardis Road has become the latest battle zone over Charlotte's conflicting housing goals.
Why it matters: Homeowners in the Mammoth Oaks neighborhood say a newly incorporated company, Veer Homes, is trying to "jam" as many townhomes as permissible at the corner of Timber Lane, without regard for the community.
Yes, but: The city has encouraged this type of density as its planned Charlotte's growth. Plus, supplying enough housing to meet demand could help home prices fall.
- Rents in Charlotte actually dropped earlier this year, in part because of a record number of new apartments opening across the city, as we previously reported.
Between the lines: Veer Homes is seeking rezoning to allow for up to 32 units on the current 2.6 acres, which currently have single-family homes.
- Under current zoning, it could build single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes by right, without needing to rezone or loop neighbors in on plans.
The big picture: Neighborhoods across Charlotte are fighting similar battles, especially since the adoption of two key documents in recent years: the city's 2040 plan, which envisions growth over the next two decades, and a new unified development ordinance, essentially the development law book.
- Some Charlotte City Council members are considering scaling back flexible regulations after they led to "unintended consequences," aka impacts on neighborhoods.
- Councilmember Tariq Bokhari, who represents Mammoth Oaks as part of his district, says the Timber Lane rezoning is another example of "fallout from the UDO." He says nothing has been done to improve infrastructure to keep up with the extra density the city has promoted.
- "We essentially took rocket fuel and dumped it into our engine for growth ... and we didn't think about the oil and all the other parts that make the engine actually work," Bokhari says.
What they're saying: Timber Lane is a cracked, asphalt street without sidewalks, neighbors point out.
- Bina Shetty says she moved to the neighborhood from Chicago to live in a quiet community. She says the city is trying to force a walkable vision on a place that lacks infrastructure.
- "They're like, 'Well, we don't need that much parking on this premises, because, you know, everyone's going to start riding their scooters,'" Shetty says. "This is not South End."
The other side: Zoning attorney Collin Brown, who represents Veer Homes, says higher-density housing makes sense in this location because it's near Strawberry Hill, a thoroughfare and other townhomes. He notes the two existing single-family houses on the property are in disrepair.
- "It's funny — someone's building something in Charlotte, so there's always concern," Brown says.
Zoom in: Neighbors tell Axios they've accepted the land will be developed and are now focused on fighting to mitigate the impacts, specifically:
- They want the site plans to include more parking so their new neighbors' guests aren't parking along Timber Lane.
- They want Veer Homes to reduce the building height.
- And they don't want a road entrance onto Timber Lane. "This is like a death or two waiting to happen if they allow for that project to allow cars to pour onto Timber," Shetty says. "It better not be someone's kid."
What's next: A public hearing could be held as early as September.
- Brown says Veer Homes is working to address concerns but adds the developer won't be able to make all neighbors happy.
- They're working to submit a revised plan to the city this month and are in talks with the Charlotte Department of Transportation about the road connection onto Timber Lane.
