Charlotte council hears plan to make transit areas more equitable as city expands rapid transit

Interim Planning Director Monica Holmes and housing lead Warren Wooten presented an update to the Charlotte City Council on the city’s evolving approach to transit-oriented development (TOD), emphasizing “equitable TOD” or ETOD — an approach that pairs transit investments with anti-displacement measures, land acquisition and community services.

Holmes said the city’s TOD work has evolved over roughly 25 years from simply encouraging density near rail lines to a broader “transit-oriented communities” approach that centers equity, services and community benefits alongside private development. “Our vision for transit and a land use vision must go hand in hand,” Holmes said, noting station-area principles adopted in 2001 and a more explicit equity focus adopted around 2018–2019.

Warren Wooten, describing housing tools that support the ETOD approach, said Charlotte has used fee-in-lieu and other housing funds to acquire land for affordable housing and to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing near transit. Wooten told the council the city’s fee-in-lieu program has collected about $4.8 million to date and recorded $16 million in developer commitments; some of those funds were used to acquire land for a project on the Blue Line extension that he said would deliver new affordable units near the station.

Why it matters: Council members said they want the city to translate the ETOD principles into measurable goals and report back on outcomes. Councilmember Renee Johnson asked how success would be defined and tracked; Holmes and Wooten said the city expects a 12–14 month ETOD planning process that will produce targeted strategies and a community-driven scorecard. Councilmembers also pressed staff to ensure small businesses along transit corridors are part of anti-displacement planning and to look for federal funding opportunities that could pair transit and housing dollars.

Details and tools: Holmes described four core components of modern TOD policy: mixed uses, community spaces, accessibility, and development centered on equity. Wooten reviewed tools the city is using or piloting: land acquisition for affordable housing, a preservation focus for naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH), a single-family acquisition/preservation program (ARR), neighborhood stabilization services tied to wraparound supports (health referrals, daycare, etc.), and transit-focused scoring in housing trust fund decisions.

Next steps: Holmes said the city will continue capacity building with transit-adjacent communities, pilot projects and integration of ETOD principles into planning for future lines. She said the city is participating in a national ETOD steering committee and working with peer cities to refine best practices. Councilmembers asked staff to bring specific policy recommendations to the Housing Committee and Economic Development Committee as the 12–14 month ETOD work product is developed.

Council action and follow-up: The presentation did not include a formal vote. Staff said the ETOD planning work will produce targeted strategies and a community-driven scorecard, and that staff will continue coordinating with housing, economic development and community partners. Councilmembers requested regular reporting on metrics and asked staff to include small-business anti-displacement measures alongside housing strategies.

Ending: Holmes and Wooten said they will return with ETOD planning milestones and that staff will continue outreach with community stakeholders and partner organizations.