[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6503588,"mediaKeyId","5529248-6354a192b9cadfbfd21ebd90667c31e0","parentId",5529248,"title","MTC releases timeline and draft MOU for new regional transit authority after state law enables sales‑tax referendum","audioSeconds",313,"startMs",2687000,"endMs",3000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529248-6354a192b9cadfbfd21ebd90667c31e0&start=2687&end=3000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529248-6354a192b9cadfbfd21ebd90667c31e0/thumbnail_2687000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6503588/Charlotte/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/MTC-releases-timeline-and-draft-MOU-for-new-regional-transit-authority-after-state-law-enables-salestax-referendum","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503588-f8def461e1ab0af432845b056591a331/orig.mp4?Expires=1771128409&Signature=UVqaMIyJkhYSApMcmlx5dbVN5QPsqULu1gFAljljl~ZzXG5sRK0s5LX6eyU7cqPrC-RfVYWr9kh-5YzhOu~3Q20TcSeB3RtabB9j3P6BWXzN7eHYlXDPO9m-GaSjU1kS25PT8HQ9-7Ohi1E6u9Kr-ovBtIzDTf-NPd7p7weAczA8lMo3aFUKHe6ISah4zzn0bZ7T3g8AZZxMMoO-3K3XuAf50yq1t9irDaVt-rehSjmvn92x2WPEfXdw7NWhxcg5okU93KxAItT6Bj9f7rpw7zqP-rVLd1n5pM8o7b~o3OEPTMbLaIwnWYkRLg7K6CgdiHTSyxVitjo1rXl5sVt5Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charlotte","date","2025-08-04T22:03:34.047Z","article","City staff briefed the Transportation Planning & Development Committee on Aug. 4 about state legislation (session law enacted July 1, 2025) that authorizes a referendum on a 1¢ regional sales tax and creates a metropolitan public transit authority (MPTA). Committee members were shown a memorandum of understanding that the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) drafted to coordinate the timeline for municipal and county actions if the referendum is placed on the ballot and passes.

Key provisions described by staff and MTC representatives include: the law’s allocation of tax proceeds (a 40–20–40 split was cited by staff as an example in the drafting), creation of a 27‑member authority board (with 12 appointments allocated to Charlotte, three appointments recommended by business organizations, six by county commission, one by each town in the county, and three appointments to be made by state leadership), and a trustee application and vetting timeline. Under the MTC timeline presented, municipal and county votes on the MOU and ballot language are scheduled in August–September 2025, the authority’s trustee application period would open mid‑August and close in early November if approved, and appointment of trustees would occur in November after an initial vetting period.

Staff emphasized that while municipal and county governments would be working to implement parts of the MOU before a referendum, the authority would not assume control of operations or assets unless the ballot measure succeeds and proceeds are available. The briefing noted several implementation checkpoints: an initial set of feasibility items required by statute by Jan. 1, 2026, a broader set of bylaws and policies to be developed afterward, and a final operational transition tied to revenue flows to the authority. Committee members asked about appointment processes (whether mayoral practice would influence Charlotte’s set of appointees), transparency of trustee selection, whether elected officials could serve on the new authority (the law reserves appointments for non‑elected members), and how the city would maintain influence once operations migrate to the new authority.

Staff also noted the MOU includes an additional provision the MTC placed in the agreement (not in the state law) asking that a small number of appointments (one of Charlotte’s nine discretionary appointees) be required to be transit riders; the MTC expects each municipality to consider the MOU concurrently and vote on acceptance. The committee reiterated that appointments and oversight would be the principal way the city exercises ongoing influence over the authority’s policy direction and urged continuing public outreach and clarity about responsibilities and timelines.

Why it matters: The MOU and timeline reflect the next operational steps after the state legalized a local sales‑tax referendum and the potential migration of CATs (the existing entity) assets and operations to a new regional authority. The authority would substantially change governance for public transit in Mecklenburg County — creating a large, appointed board with authority over buses, rail and related assets — and municipal appointments would be one of the city’s major levers of influence.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Committee Meetings - August 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee heard an informational briefing on HB 948 (Session Law 2025) enabling a local 1¢ sales‑tax referendum and the establishment of a metropolitan public transit authority; members discussed trustee appointment timing, application windows, and local appointment authority responsibilities.","taxTitle","Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina","taxId",4848,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6503593,"Planning staff closes public comment, seeks council action on 14 community area plans in September",2272,249000,2521000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529248-6354a192b9cadfbfd21ebd90667c31e0&start=249&end=2521","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529248-6354a192b9cadfbfd21ebd90667c31e0/thumbnail_249000.jpg","/articles/6503593/Charlotte/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Planning-staff-closes-public-comment-seeks-council-action-on-14-community-area-plans-in-September","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503593-c7b516f909bd38d2de18d2e10843e795/orig.mp4?Expires=1771128409&Signature=iITvRBPZ2qVBp0W77mcvBODz5HdyxaSZPoUFEM0cyCSPh4k8cQZF9S4BNxE~mP6hzDIHf1E72xkRf6TRG~lNH~AjeRa4bufygFF9lja9x9s6jwWcStt4~UtLZ-F2RtANrqlGU2rdv-dDVJRiYY17wuNM9nZJ3JILdgq1EOALWTY4uNbTSncpg3f2L0JnGCs9~gRdHSq3578JIRRt0BjW87PoRqFVUhHlXE~qoJ~A757fiM0XzzPoGqcwTCwFBe-PdSEd8ZTGOM5VedwFRbHP5z0f90juB81-2WHO5HkDtFNoqlfvXBvOerxq-GUW9qO1VS2L3PtoMKZdwOOln1U5Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charlotte planning staff told the Transportation Planning & Development Committee on Aug. 4 that public comment on the draft 20–40 community area plans closed July 18 and that staff posted responses to more than 1,000 comments on July 25. Staff said they have advanced the plans through five phases of work that together produced 14 draft community area plans intended to bring the citywide comprehensive plan down to the neighborhood scale and provide consistent guidance for rezonings and infrastructure prioritization.

Staff described the comments as largely collaborative suggestions and concerns focused on clarity, map legibility, and a mix of policy changes. Of the more than 1,000 comments, staff identified 240 that they said would result in proposed changes; those changes were organized as edits for clarity, new content, quality corrections, and next-step implementation items. Staff said the full list of proposed changes and staff responses are posted on the project website and will be included in council packets ahead of the final vote.

Planning staff outlined next steps if council adopts the plans: launch an implementation “roadshow” with staff attending neighborhood meetings, update rezoning staff analysis to reflect area-plan considerations, and begin preplanning for “specific plans” (smaller-area, issue-specific studies such as transit-station area plans or targeted environmental action plans). Staff also said office hours and neighborhood meetings will continue even after adoption to help residents understand how to use the plans.

Committee members debated the timing and whether to adopt all 14 plans simultaneously or in a staggered approach. Several members expressed concern that staggering adoption would create a patchwork of rules across the city. Others urged more time to brief the full council and districts so every member could understand how the plans affect their constituents. Planning staff said they would distribute a one‑page summary by area plan and a table of recommended changes in the council packet and asked the committee to recommend a target council adoption date in September so implementation could proceed.

The committee voted to recommend that the full council target Sept. 22 for adoption; committee discussion referenced a small number of dissenting votes but the committee recommendation moved forward. Staff said they will provide the recommended changes, a cover memo summarizing outstanding items by plan, and a district-level rollup to help councilmembers and residents review the revisions before final action.

Why it matters: The community area plans are intended to translate the city’s long-range vision to local implementation tools — giving clearer criteria for rezonings, identifying strategic investment sites, and including new guidance (for example, mapping heat impacts and environmental considerations). Adoption would alter how rezonings and public investments are evaluated across 14 defined geographies and change the staff analysis used in future land‑use decisions.","Charlotte planning staff presented a wrap-up of the 20–40 community area plans, summarized public feedback and proposed edits, and asked the Transportation Planning & Development Committee to recommend a September council adoption date for the consolidated plans and revised policy map.","actionData","errors"]

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MTC releases timeline and draft MOU for new regional transit authority after state law enables sales‑tax referendum

Planning staff closes public comment, seeks council action on 14 community area plans in September