Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance goes into effect Thursday

Charlotte’s Unified Development Ordinance goes into effect starting Thursday at 12 a.m.

That 600-page document combines all of the city’s regulations for developers into one place. City officials say it makes expectations from city planners more clear for developers, while also being an easy-to-read document for residents.

“I want to see a city of the future that has different types of housing for all kinds of people, and it really helps to promote affordability,” said city planning director Allyson Craig.

Crafting and then adopting the UDO wasn’t easy, mostly because of its most controversial part: It will allow duplexes and triplexes in all single-family neighborhoods that aren’t bound by covenants or HOAs, increasing housing density in those neighborhoods.

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The jury is still out on that provision following a contentious city council meeting last week.

“The committee referral that came out of that council meeting is really specific to large projects in residential subdivisions, so we’re not ready to share what our recommendations are,” Craig said.

But Craig said the UDO is about more than just that lightning rod of a topic.

“Increasing storm water protections, tree preservation -- there’s a lot of new tools in the UDO that really empower residents to preserve or enhance the character of their community,” she said.

“Even development that’s occurring outside of the rezoning process are required to provide sidewalks and new streets,” she added.

In part, it’s meant to enhance the character of Charlotte’s neighborhoods. However, many continue to be priced out of those communities. Craig is confident the UDO will help.

“Mostly in an indirect way through housing supply, because right now we are so short in housing,” she said. “The number of days a home is on the market is really short, our price-to-income ratio is really high.”

(PREVIOUS: Charlotte City Council set to vote on several notable proposals including Unified Development Ordinance)