CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte City Council is evaluating proposed amendments to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance that would restrict future triplex construction exclusively to corner lots.
Since the ordinance went into effect last year, developers have constructed 140 duplexes and 20 triplexes across Charlotte.
The Unified Development Ordinance permits duplexes and triplexes to be built on single-family residential lots, provided the properties are not restricted by homeowners association rules or covenants.
Charlotte leaders anticipated the regulations would encourage developers to increase overall housing production.
The ordinance also regulates tree preservation across the city. Under the rules, homeowners must obtain a permit before removing any healthy heritage trees from their property.
In the Hidden Valley neighborhood, some local residents fear that ongoing construction projects create risks for the surrounding community.
A triplex was recently constructed on Snow White Lane, prompting concerns from the neighborhood association that an influx of renters or short-term rentals could cause traffic congestion, criminal activity, and decreased property values.
Bobby Drakeford serves as a representative for the Historic Black Neighborhood Coalition. Drakeford spoke out against building taller multi-family units directly adjacent to smaller single-family houses.
“What does it do to our quality of life when you have a 40-foot-tall unit beside you and your house is 15 to 20 feet tall? It blocks your view; it doesn’t look right. There are issues with ingress and egress, so we think it’s not a good balance between quality of life concerns and the need to grow,” Drakeford said.
Following the construction in Hidden Valley, the Historic Black Neighborhood Coalition announced plans to pursue litigation against the developer. Inquiries directed to the developer were not answered.
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