Community Area Plans provide more detailed guidance for the built environment including land use, design, transportation, and infrastructure.
These plans complement the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan and are an important part of the city’s planning framework which ensures all planning efforts are aligned and aimed at implementing Charlotte’s vision for the future.
Community Area Planning began in January 2023. The goal is to complete a draft plan for each geography within two years. The schedule below outlines the general timing for plan development and is intended to be executed in 2023 and 2024. For exact meeting dates please visit the Get Involved section.
Phase 1: Set The Stage – Identify a community’s priorities for future development by evaluating the area’s Equity Metrics which are essential to ensuring each community plays a role in creating an equitable city for all. Equity Metrics are defined by the Comprehensive Plan’s Equitable Growth Framework (EGF) as an area’s Access to Housing Opportunities, Job Opportunities, Essential Goods & Services, and Environmental Impacts.
Phase 1 Outcome: 14 Community Reports that identify each community’s greatest needs in terms of access to housing choices, job opportunities, daily goods & services, and reduced environmental impacts.
Phase 2: Create Great Places – Ensure recommendations for future development (via Place Type designations) addresses each community’s need for increased access or reduced impacts.
Phase 2 Outcome:
Revised Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map reflects Place Type refinements that increase access to housing choices, job opportunities, daily goods/services, and reduces environmental impacts.
Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map Manual provides on overview of what the Policy Map is, how it’s intended to be used, and how it can be changed overtime.
Phase 3: Support The Vision – Recommend projects and programs to support a community’s priorities. Potential projects may include needed infrastructure improvements as well as potential public/private partnerships. Program recommendations will identify the need for supporting city & county services.
Phase 3 is underway! Attend a workshop or sharing your voice using the “Supporting The Vision” webtool.
Phase 4: Plan For Action – Develop an implementation strategy to address a community’s priorities. The implementation strategy will outline specific short- and long-term steps that can be taken by public and private entities bodies so the desired future in the plan may be realized.
Phase 4 Outcome:
14 Community Area Plans with detailed development recommendations for each area.
A Program Guide that connects these plans to other citywide policies.
And a Revised Policy Map & Manual reflecting the community’s latest feedback.
Phase 5: Review & Adoption – Request for adoption of Community Area Plans by City Council.
Following the adoption of The Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan in June 2021, Charlotte City Council adopted the Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map on March 28, 2022, as the first major Implementation item. Thank you to all who participated and provided your input into these efforts. We look forward to your continued participation during the Community Area Planning process.
Community Area Planning will build upon the public engagement efforts from both the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan and Policy Map by carrying forward the input and voices shared during those processes. Community Area Planning will also use a similar range of virtual and in-person tools to engage community members and ensure this process is robust and inclusive.
Sign up for updates about Community Area Planning to receive information about future engagement opportunities.
1. Visit the CAP Virtual Open House: Navigate through a virtual room for an overview of the planning process and key recommendations.
2. Draft Plans: Read and share your comments on the Draft Plans.
3. Office Hours: Throughout April 2025, community members can sign up for office hours with staff to ask questions or provide their feedback on the draft plans.
April 2025
Tuesdays (11am – 1pm)
Thursdays (3pm – 5pm)
4. Request Staff Attend a Meeting: City staff are available to attend community meetings upon request. Please note that scheduling is based upon staff availability.
To request a meeting please include:
5. Visit your Local Library: Review hard copy materials at a library near you. Locations include:
The map above shows the engagement completed to date as part of the Community Area Planning process. This includes Community Meetings, Monthly Office Hours, and Other Meetings.
