WFAE reporter Steve Harrison's Inside Politics newsletter late last week focused on some environmental and legal challenges in Minneapolis as the city implements a 2040 plan that eliminated exclusively single-family zoning. But Charlotte and Minneapolis are not the same, and we're supporters of Charlotte's 2040 plan. Our director of engagement and impact, Meg Fencil, explained our stance in a statement included in the article. 

"Incredible population growth is coming to Charlotte. We believe this plan is the right approach to envisioning a more equitable and vibrant city. Along with our partners in the Neighbors For More Neighbors Charlotte coalition, we understand that a growing city needs more small-scale housing options for people of different ages, ability levels, and incomes. 

Many of Charlotte's vibrant historic communities (Dilworth, Myers Park, the Historic West End, Wilmore, and others) have numerous duplexes, triplexes, and quads that fit in very well with the predominantly single-family home neighborhoods. Without the ability to build homes for two, three, or four families, it's likely that Charlotte will grow in a sprawling way that perpetuates our over-dependence on driving cars. 

As the primary tool to implement the 2040 Plan, the Unified Development Ordinance needs to pass with strong regulations to protect streams and trees and to support access to parks and open spaces as residential density increases."

Read the full WFAE Inside Politics article here.