Welcome back to our blog post series about the UDO, Charlotte’s first and only Unified Development Ordinance that will define our city’s development for the next several decades! If you missed our first blog post about the environmental issues in the UDO, you can find it here.

Welcome to our series of UDO series! If you’re not familiar with the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), no worries! Earlier we published an introductory post discussing the UDO, the difference between the Comprehensive Plan and the UDO, and why everyone in Charlotte is talking about it today. Each post in our series will be dedicated to a unique way that the UDO is designed to improve life here in Charlotte.

Welcome to our series of blog posts about the Unified Development Ordinance (abbreviated as UDO)! Perhaps you have heard that in October of 2021, the city released the first Unified Development Ordinance document (and yes, we have been just as dazed with 608 pages of it as probably were you!) that, when finalized, will determine the way Charlotte will develop for the coming decades.  

Throughout the years Sustain Charlotte has voiced our support for the expansion of public transit. The implementation of a new light rail line connecting Mecklenburg County westward and eastward would be a crucial step towards a more equitable, sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally-friendly transportation system. 

Sustain Charlotte partnered with Partners for Parks and Park and Rec Commissioner Paul Freestone to sign up as a group and coordinated on our comments to speak with one voice during the January 19, 2022 Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners budget hearing.

Here's what we said:

In the absence of a robust plan to manage traffic congestion and support transportation choices, rapidly growing cities are faced with real challenges to ensure safe and time-efficient travel for everyone -- whether they drive a car or get around by walking, biking, scooter, or public transit.  As Charlotte's population grows and an ever-increasing number of new buildings are constructed, how is the City planning to ensure everyone can get where they need to go? 

The new CTR Guidelines will make it easier to walk, bike, and ride transit to new developments. (photo: City of Charlotte)

The City of Charlotte has released a first draft of The Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map and the Charlotte Streets Map. These maps will guide development in our city for decades to come. It’s time for us to join efforts in getting the voice of the community heard, and we need your help!

We’re asking you to comment on the online draft maps by Friday, November 19th to share your feedback, ideas, and concerns with the City.

(images: Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan Policy document)

Thank you to everyone who helped make the seventh annual Biketoberfest a stellar success!

We could not have asked for a better day - beautiful weather, a full line-up of stops, and our most expansive route ever to explore the city on two wheels.

The comments below were presented to Charlotte City Council at their October 11, 2021 meeting by our Urban Design Specialist Eric Zaverl and Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leaders steering committee member Martin Zimmerman:

Before you head out on the route for this year's Biketoberfest, here are few tips to make sure you have a safe and fun ride!