From Deed Disputes to UDO Showdowns: Charlotte Council’s Zoning Drama Unfolds
A Zoning Brawl: Hidden Valley, Rail Safety, and the UDO Take Center Stage
Last night, Charlotte’s City Council chambers turned into an arena of clashing interests. Residents, developers, and city officials grappled over rezoning proposals that revealed deep cracks in the city’s development process. From deed restrictions to Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) grievances, the debates laid bare the friction between neighborhood preservation and the city’s hunger for growth.
Meanwhile, outside, a cold winter storm blanketed Charlotte in ice, but inside, the atmosphere was anything but frozen. Residents of Hidden Valley came armed with passionate arguments, council members threw down sharp critiques of the UDO, and developers, undeterred, pitched their visions of a more urbanized future.
Hidden Valley Takes a Stand
Petition #17 brought the Hidden Valley neighborhood into sharp focus. Property owner Feven Nagesh requested rezoning from N1B to N1C, which would allow her to build a second single-family home on her lot. Seems straightforward, right? Not so fast.
Residents weren’t having it. Community leaders, including members of the Hidden Valley Community Association, packed the room to argue that such changes could erode long-standing deed restrictions limiting lots to one residence. The fear? This “small change” could become a gateway for investor exploitation and overdevelopment, potentially undermining the character and affordability of the area.
Council Member LaWanna Mayfield didn’t mince words, tying older zoning laws to systemic inequities: “This city has historically put marginalized communities near dangerous, unwanted developments. We owe it to them to avoid those same mistakes.”
But Council Member Ed Driggs offered a reality check, reminding everyone that private deed restrictions aren’t enforceable by the city. The tension in the room was palpable. For Hidden Valley residents, this wasn’t just about zoning—it was about trust and protecting their neighborhood.
The council ultimately delayed a final decision, leaving residents and developers in limbo.
Sunset Road: Trains, Traffic, and Tall Buildings
On Sunset Road, another zoning proposal (#15) from Drakeford Communities stirred up concerns. The developer wants to add 79 attached residential units near a busy train corridor. The idea of more density near active rail tracks sparked fears over traffic congestion and the safety of greenway crossings.
Residents like John Linn and Alex Melton argued that the project would worsen traffic in an already strained area. “There are too many cars, too many hazards,” Linn said during public comment.
Council members, however, urged the community to consider the bigger picture. Some pointed out that the developer could build nearly the same density without rezoning but with fewer design concessions.
It’s the kind of balancing act Charlotte faces again and again—how to grow without pushing communities to their breaking point.
SteelFab’s Victory: Zoning in the Name of Growth
Not all rezoning battles were contentious. Longtime Charlotte business SteelFab Inc. walked away with a win. Their request to rezone industrial land for expanded office use sailed through with minimal pushback.
Here’s why it mattered: SteelFab’s expansion was hindered by the UDO, which limits office space to 40% in certain industrial zones. The rezoning brought them into compliance, allowing the family-owned business to grow while staying rooted in Charlotte.
Council members lauded SteelFab for its legacy, calling it an example of how businesses and zoning can align to support economic growth.
The UDO: Friend or Foe?
No zoning discussion would be complete without mentioning the elephant in the room—the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
Council Member Tiawanna Brown didn’t hold back, calling the UDO “garbage” and blaming it for fueling uncertainty in older neighborhoods. Others criticized the ordinance for creating loopholes exploited by developers, leaving communities like Hidden Valley feeling blindsided.
But not everyone was ready to toss it out. Supporters argued that the UDO provides the structure needed to manage Charlotte’s rapid growth while ensuring equitable access to housing and resources. It’s clear, however, that the UDO is as much a work in progress as the city itself.
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Council’s Late-Night Marathon
As the night wore on and icy weather worsened, the council chamber emptied out—but the debate stayed fiery. Mayor Pro Tem Dontae Anderson pleaded for speed as snow began to pile up outside, but unresolved petitions kept dragging on.
From Hidden Valley to Sunset Road, Charlotte’s zoning battles aren’t just procedural—they’re deeply personal for the communities involved. With a growing population and increasing pressure to balance development with preservation, one thing is clear: these discussions will only get more heated.
Author Signature:
Jack Beckett
Senior Writer, Strolling Ballantyne
Sipping coffee ☕ while Charlotte debates its future, one rezoning battle at a time.
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