Plan Policy

1. Continue to ensure TOD zoning matches characteristics of Activity Centers as discussed in the Plan (applies to Regional Activity Center, Community Activity Center, Neighborhood Center, and Campus).
2. Encourage active transportation, connectivity, and multimodal access through updates to the development regulations, active transportation design standards, and mobility investment prioritization processes as outlined in the Strategic Mobility Plan and Goal #5. (cross-reference: Goal 5, Goal 6)
3. For new high-performance transit corridors, apply TOD zoning that facilitates market-supported transit-oriented developments served by local transit services and shared-use paths in a context-sensitive design that reflect individual corridor opportunities as guided by the Strategic Mobility Plan and Future Place Types Map.
4. Near high-performance transit stations, apply TOD zoning which does not require minimum parking and has parking maximums. (cross-reference: Goal 5)
5. Support application of innovative parking management strategies and technologies to meet parking requirements.
6. Locate parking behind or beside buildings and consolidate into shared areas to optimize pedestrian environment along main streets.
7. Explore the feasibility of implementing shared parking/parking district programs, especially in higher density areas with a mix of uses. (cross-reference: Goal 1, Goal 3)
8. Consider multimodal transportation impacts in the development approval process, with a focus on transportation investment priorities.
9. Investigate use of shared parking at park-and-ride mobility hubs to facilitate access to higher intensity Activity Centers with more limited parking.
10. Encourage new developments to locate along shared-use paths outside environmentally sensitive areas, and to create public gathering spaces along the shared-use paths, allowing development to have direct access to or front the shared use.
11. Evaluate the existing Environmental Bonus Menu items in the TOD zoning ordinance to understand their use and efficacy over time to support our low carbon city goals; update the Bonus Menu as necessary for TOD and other zoning districts.

As cities and neighborhoods continue to grow, the implementation of Trail-Oriented Developments has proven effective in connecting and strengthening communities. A recent publication by the Urban Land Institute summarizes the success of Trail-Oriented Development, and the use of investment in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to catalyze high-quality development. Many cities have experienced a boost to their economic growth based on improved real estate value and an increase in retail visibility. Cities are supporting Trail-Oriented Development with programs that build multi-use paths, and zoning that supports mixed-use land uses near trails.

1. Support CATS System Plan update vision statements: 1) establish reliable transit to connect the region, enhance quality of life, and strengthen access to opportunities, 2) use transit to influence and shape growth while respecting community character, and 3) increase mobility in each corridor through effective transit investments.
2. Establish a mobility investment priority hierarchy within high-performance transit station areas that assigns priority to pedestrians/transit riders, cyclists/shared-mobility users, delivery/loading needs, and finally, private motor vehicles, in that order, when making mobility investments and designing transportation facilities including streets.
3. Prioritize shared-use path development to connect to existing neighborhoods, fill gaps in the existing multimodal network with all ages-and-abilities facilities and connect to new higher intensity developments as identified in the Strategic Mobility Plan. (cross-reference: Goal 4. Goal 6)
4. Support investment in utilities and multipurpose facilities (e.g. greenways provide recreation opportunities, transportation connections, and stormwater benefits) in urban areas and established neighborhoods through coordinated efforts with County Park and Recreation, CDOT, Storm Water Services, and other partners. (cross-reference: Goal 4, Goal 6)
5. Investigate use of micromobility solutions (bike-share, scooter-share, etc.) to address intra-neighborhood circulation concerns.
6. Ensure all 2T-OD development prioritizes tree-shaded and safe sidewalks, trails, and bike routes using trees to maximize comfort and safety.
7. Locate high-performance transit stations to maximize accessibility to neighborhoods with low-income households while avoiding direct displacement of existing residents.

1. In coordination with regional and local partners including Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO), North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), and major employers, support transportation demand management (TDM) strategies that recognize the value of parking management, walk and bike facilities, and transit service. (cross-reference: Goal 5, Goal 8)
2. Improve inter-departmental and inter-jurisdictional cooperation in planning, implementing, and maintaining shared-use path facilities. (cross-reference: Goal 5)
3. Improve coordination of transit alignment planning with land-use planning to maximize effectiveness of transit investments by using future Place Types mapping to inform transit planning efforts.
4. Coordinate with Business Districts (such as Business Improvement Districts), Municipal Service Districts and other area organizations on local transportation projects and leverage resources as available.
5. Encourage public-private partnerships for creation of high-quality public spaces integrated with new development within high-performance transit station areas.