Airport's "Destination District" could be a destination ... for cars
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Credit: CLT Airport public record
Charlotte's planning staff has asked Crosland Southeast to design a less car-centric version of the "Destination District," the airport's nearly 40-acre development near the future Silver Line stop that could include multiple drive-thrus.
Why it matters: Again, Charlotte is facing crossroads decisions that guide whether the city becomes more urban — or continues operating as a place where you're expected to own a car.
- Charlotte City Council is hosting a public hearing on the city-owned airport's rezoning request Monday, Nov. 16, where the developer may address some of these concerns.
- However, airport officials have been clear that they only intend to make the district so walkable due to traffic and FAA rules.
The latest: The Destination District, envisioned as an "employment hub," is currently planned to include a mix of stores, restaurants, offices, hotels, a parking garage, a gas station and green space. They're aiming to complete it by 2032.
- As it stands, the rezoning petition seeks permission to build up to six drive-thrus, with possible exceptions for more at the site, located between Wilkinson Boulevard and I-85.
- City staff argues this would not create the ideal pedestrian environment to support the multibillion-dollar Silver Line light rail coming through there, according to its analysis of the plan.
- The Silver Line stop will not connect to the airport terminal because officials say it would get in the way of future expansion plans, a stance that residents have pushed back on.
What they're saying: "This could have been a really incredible convention and hospitality district, but what I see could be a Sheetz, a Raising Cane's and maybe an AutoZone," Clayton Sealey, a Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority member, told airport officials during an August presentation. (Sealey is also on the city's planning committee.)
- Sealey told Axios he'd like to see a project similar to the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, providing Charlotte a second complex for conventions.
- Crosland Southeast's Tim Sittema told CBJ in June he doesn't want the district to "look like any other exit on an interstate," and he'd achieve that through landscaping and architecture.
Zoom in: Crosland Southeast and the airport are requesting that most of the site be rezoned as general commercial, which allows for more car-oriented uses and has suburban design standards.
- Currently, the land is zoned as a "Regional Activity Center," meaning it can "accommodate major employment locations, cultural destinations, and mixed-use development," including high-density housing.
- However, per rules for obtaining FAA grants, residences can't be built that close to the airport.
The airport also plans to elevate Josh Birmingham Parkway over Wilkinson Boulevard for cars.
- "It can't be a true high-density pedestrian environment because we have so much traffic going through that intersection," Jennifer Williams, CLT's planning director, previously told the MPTA in August.
- The city, airport and Crosland Southeast all declined to comment for this story.
What's next: The public hearing is scheduled for Monday during the 5pm city council meeting.
- After the hearing, the item will go back to the zoning committee. City council will likely vote at a later date.
- Council members are not bound by staff's recommendation to reject petitions.