QUESTION #1 (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT)

Over the past few years, Charlotte has adopted a number of planning and development plans and policies, including the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Going forward, the Charlotte City Council will be responsible for overseeing rezoning efforts and making any necessary amendments to the UDO.

The UDO is informed by the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, an important vision that will shape the equitable growth of our city, livability, and our climate resilience. For the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan goals to be realized, city council will need to uphold the requirements in the UDO, approve text amendments that are in line with the 2040 Plan, and deny rezoning requests that allow the rules to be skirted.

Will you honor the work that has been done to create this plan and ordinance? What will you do to ensure consistent implementation of the UDO and adoption of text amendments necessary to keep its implementation aligned with the goals of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan?

Tariq Bokhari (R, District 6)(i):

Bokhari has not responded.

Stephanie Hand (D, District 6): 

“The UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) is not just a static document but crafted as a dynamic, living entity that responds and evolves according to the shifting needs of our community. Therefore, it's essential to focus on comprehensive zoning regulations evaluations regularly. We must be proactive in ensuring we are not merely reacting to issues but anticipating and pivoting to these unintended consequences in real time, safeguarding the best interests of Charlotte and its residents. As the City Council Representative for District 6, my commitment is unwavering. I pledge to stay apprised of the emerging opportunities and challenges, ensuring our UDO remains relevant and practical. Engagement will be at the core of my leadership focus through fostering open dialogues with our residents, building solid coalitions with business leaders, and working cohesively with my colleagues and city staff. I am confident that we can navigate the complexities of city planning and formulate solutions that are both innovative, sustainable, and beneficial for all zip codes.

Charlotte's growth and prosperity rely on our collective efforts, and I am committed to leading our city toward stronger more sustainable today and in the future.”

QUESTION #2 (STRATEGIC MOBILITY PLAN)

In June 2022, City Council adopted the Strategic Mobility Plan (SMP) to help realize the vision laid out in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. One of the main tenets of the SMP is a 50-50 mode-share goal to balance mobility choices so residents need not depend on a car for transportation.

In order to fulfill the goals laid out in the SMP, a major, dedicated source of revenue is needed and a countywide “One Cent for Mobility” sales tax has been suggested to reach our mobility goals. However, there has been little visible progress on moving this forward, even as federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill creates time-sensitive opportunities for our area to compete for federal dollars that will require a local match.

Do you support the need to secure a local funding source to realize the goals laid out in the SMP? If so, what will you do as an elected official to move the process forward in a transformational rather than incremental way? If not, what do you propose as an alternative to support mobility for all residents?

Tariq Bokhari (R, District 6)(i):

Bokhari has not responded.

Stephanie Hand (D, District 6): 

“I am confident in securing local, philanthropic, and other sourced funding to realize the Strategic Mobility Plan (SMP) goals. I will continue the work of the Coalition building to discover funding to assist the city's ability to address our community's unique transportation and mobility needs. As an elected official, I will advocate for enhancing the things that are working and be a part of the solutions that lead to transformational change. For example, it is essential to achieve transformational change to Engage Stakeholders through Town Hall meetings and Public Forums to hear input from our residents, business owners, and community leaders to ensure my hands are on the pulse of our community's priorities. Explore Diverse Funding Options such as public-private partnerships, state and federal grants, etc., so that we are not putting financial strain on our residents. Finally, continuous communication with our residents, business leaders, and community leaders and evaluating how we accomplish our goals hold us accountable.  Our ability to move throughout Charlotte and our regional cities is paramount to our sustainable growth and viability into the next two decades.”

QUESTION #3 (VISION ZERO)

In 2018 Charlotte adopted a Vision Zero goal to end traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. CDOT staff are working with Vision Zero Task Force members to achieve this goal.

What investments and/or policy changes, including funding for mobility in the CIP, do you believe are most important for Charlotte to fulfill its commitment to Vision Zero and ensure that our streets are safe and well-connected for people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, and ride transit?

Tariq Bokhari (R, District 6)(i):

Bokhari has not responded.

Stephanie Hand (D, District 6):

“Vision Zero demonstrates Charlotte's commitment to the safety and well-being of all its residents. We must have a multifaceted strategy that looks at the data and pinpoint the causes of traffic accidents. Some vital areas of focus are Pedestrian Safety Enhancements, which should be made for better crosswalk signage and innovative crosswalk signals that are handicap accessible. Car Lanes and Bike Lanes: We must have funds to have car lanes alongside protected bike lanes and sidewalks to ensure safety for cyclists, walkers, and drivers. Public Transit: Expand and upgrade our present transit options: buses and light rail. Ensure they are timely, efficient, clean, and customer-friendly. Community Involvement: It will take the whole of our community to engage in the process of utilizing various options to transport residents to the places where they live, work, shop, and play. Policies: Implement stricter penalties for DUIs, distracted driving, and reckless driving, including Mandatory Training driving courses—or awareness sessions for license renewals.”

QUESTION #4 (ACCESS TO PARKS AND GREENWAYS)

Although building parks and greenways is primarily the responsibility of Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte has partnered with Mecklenburg County to build the Cross Charlotte Trail and also supports access to parks and greenways by providing connectivity for people who bike, walk, and ride transit.

What would you do as an elected official to support residents’ access to outdoor recreational opportunities and greenways as part of the broader transportation network?

Tariq Bokhari (R, District 6)(i):

Bokhari has not responded.

Stephanie Hand (D, District 6): 

“Greenways and parks are more than just recreational spaces; they represent our commitment to sustainable urban development, promoting physical well-being and environmental stewardship. As an elected official, I'm dedicated to making Charlotte not just a city of building but a city of vibrant green spaces that are interwoven seamlessly through our transportation fabric. If I am privileged to become your next city council representative, I would actively seek federal and state grants that support urban greenway development and its integration into transportation systems. Additionally, I'd explore partnerships with the private sector, fostering a collaborative approach to funding these projects. I will also facilitate regular community engagement sessions to gather feedback and ideas on new greenway projects and their integration into the broader transport network. Finally, strengthen the collaboration between the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to pool our collaborative resources and talents to enhance the interconnections of our parks and greenways.”

QUESTION #5 (BUS NETWORK)

CATS has undergone significant changes in this past year, which have resulted in reduced frequency of service on several bus routes. However, research shows that public transportation is most effective and successful when service is fast, frequent, and reliable.

What role should Charlotte City Council play in supporting CATS’ goal of increasing frequency on all core bus routes to run every 15 minutes or less and ensuring that CATS has the necessary resources to implement the recommendations identified in the Envision My Ride Bus Priority Study results?

Tariq Bokhari (R, District 6)(i):

Bokhari has not responded.

Stephanie Hand (D, District 6): 

“Public transportation is essential to a thriving city. It ensures accessibility, proactively reduces the carbon footprint, and promotes sustainable living and a better quality of life. It is imperative to actively seek federal and state grants and public-private partnerships that support transportation improvements.   Because of the challenges of CATS and the realization that CATS manages the day-to-day operations, City Council representatives must be continuously asking the right questions and receiving consistent updates from CATS leadership to ensure strategic priorities and goals are being met while at the same time celebrating the successes of our front-line employees if I am privileged with the opportunity to represent the residents of Charlotte on City Council. I will illuminate to the public the benefits of using CATS through social media about new route changes and pertinent updates about the Charlotte Transportation system. Given the spotlight of the challenges of CATS, we must act decisively to ensure our transportation remains a viable, efficient option for our residents.”

QUESTION #6 (STRATEGIC ENERGY ACTION PLAN)

Although Charlotte has received much attention for winning Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge status and funding, the Environment Committee has been combined with other interests and its role has been minimized at a time when it should be highly active. Almost five years have already passed since the Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP) was passed, and there has been little discourse around progress on the stated 2050 goals.

What actions will you take to ensure the SEAP goals and plan stay on course?

Tariq Bokhari (R, District 6)(i):

Bokhari has not responded.

Stephanie Hand (D, District 6): 

“In the Greatest Country in the world, access to fresh and healthy food should be a priority and available for every zip code, not just some. Clanton Park-West Blvd, etc., should have access to brand grocery stores. I will engage with the residents of District 6 and beyond to share about grants, incentives for community gardens, and vertical gardening systems, similar to what Innovation Barn is doing until all zip codes have access. Incentives major grocery chains and minority-owned local grocery stores set up shops in identified Food Desert locations and ensure access to stable public transportation to and from these neighborhoods. Finally, I will engage with Public-Private-Faith partnerships to advocate and develop initiatives with the community to solve this pressing issue in zip codes with limited or no access to healthy food, fresh foods, and food gardens in their neighborhoods.”

QUESTION #7 (FOOD SECURITY)

Access to fresh, healthy foods are of particular concern to many of our neighbors, particularly those in food deserts.

In keeping with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan’s goal of 10-minute neighborhoods, what will you do to ensure that residents have access to public gardens and healthy food in their neighborhood?

Tariq Bokhari (R, District 6)(i):

Bokhari has not responded.

Stephanie Hand (D, District 6): 

“In the Greatest Country in the world, access to fresh and healthy food should be a priority and available for every zip code, not just some. Clanton Park-West Blvd, etc., should have access to brand grocery stores. I will engage with the residents of District 6 and beyond to share about grants, incentives for community gardens, and vertical gardening systems, similar to what Innovation Barn is doing until all zip codes have access. Incentives major grocery chains and minority-owned local grocery stores set up shops in identified Food Desert locations and ensure access to stable public transportation to and from these neighborhoods. Finally, I will engage with Public-Private-Faith partnerships to advocate and develop initiatives with the community to solve this pressing issue in zip codes with limited or no access to healthy food, fresh foods, and food gardens in their neighborhoods.”

QUESTION #8 (TREE CANOPY)

Charlotte has a goal of building the city’s tree canopy coverage to 50% by 2050, but some now view this as aspirational and unattainable. The tree canopy coverage has actually been declining. As of 2019, the canopy cover is approximately 45%, down from 49% in 2012.

What will you do to help preserve and enhance our tree canopy?

Tariq Bokhari (R, District 6)(i):

Bokhari has not responded.

Stephanie Hand (D, District 6): 

“Charlotte's tree canopy is an essential part of Charlotte's identity, environmental health, and quality of life for all our residents. Our children's Public Montessori elementary school taught them that trees provide numerous benefits, from shade to improving air quality.  To be a part of reversing this crisis decline - It is essential to examine how incentives are grants to developers who preserve healthy trees—Private communities hosting tree planting and education events for all. Partner with Mecklenburg County to create a lasting legacy of healthy trees; when I fly into Charlotte, look out my window seat, and see the tree canopy indigenous to Charlotte, I know I am almost home. Our green Canopy is one of the key reasons people worldwide want to call Charlotte Home. Let's work together and continue to grow while at the same time keeping our green Canopy vibrant.”

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