by Lukas Johnson (Charlotte Observer)

The Charlotte City Council could adopt the updated University City Area Plan – which will shape the North Tryon Street corridor around future transit stops of the Lynx light rail – as early as May, city officials say.

Officials with Sustain Charlotte – a community-based nonprofit that tackles sustainability issues – say the plan will ensure Charlotte gets the most out of the $1.1 billion project to extend the Blue Line from uptown to University City. Construction of the extension is underway, and the line is expected to begin operating in 2017.

Planners call areas near transit stops “core areas” and support them being zoned to accommodate transit-oriented development: mixed-use residential and commercial areas that maximize access to public transportation and encourage transit ridership.

Sustain Charlotte has gotten more than 200 signatures on an online petition that asks City Council members to adopt the plan and rezone all properties within a quarter-mile of the transit stations to allow for transit-oriented development.