PlanCharlotte’s best of the web for 2014

January 14, 2015
Categories: General News Tags: PLANNING

We hope you’ve enjoyed our offerings during the past year. In case you missed them, here are some of the PlanCharlotte.org 2014 articles that attracted the most readers.

Large new houses on Cherry Street. The Cherry neighborhood housing boom raises fears of gentrification. Photo: Mary Newsom

Cherry neighborhood rezoning sparks gentrification study

After the approval of a controversial rezoning this spring in the Cherry neighborhood, one of the city’s oldest historically black areas, Charlotte officials are studying how to keep gentrification from forcing out long-time residents in older neighborhoods. (Photo: Mary Newsom)

— Chuck McShane

Residential development at the Bland Street light rail station in South End. Photo: John Chesser

Affordable housing near Charlotte light rail? Still a challenge

As hundreds of apartments pop up around transit stations in Charlotte’s South End neighborhood, the city’s plan for more high-density housing near its rail line is taking shape. But a sister policy encouraging apartments for low-income families isn’t faring as well. (Photo: John Chesser)

— Mae Israel

photo Study finds some Charlotte historic districts losing ground

Study finds some Charlotte historic districts losing ground

The first major survey of Charlotte historic resources in 30 years says demolition and development have shrunk historic sections of three local historic districts. It also recommends possibly adding more historic districts, especially in northwest Charlotte.

— Chuck McShane

photo They’d rather not drive, thank you

They’d rather not drive, thank you

Some hardy local city-dwellers are opting to take transit and bicycle even when they own cars and can just as easily drive. For some, it’s about the environment. For some, it’s about making the city more livable and urban. And for some, it’s becoming a way of life. (Photo: Corey Conner)

— Corbin Peters, Corey Conner

photo Can innovative interchange plan survive suburbia?

Can innovative interchange plan survive suburbia?

As the final leg of I-485 nears completion, residents near the Prosperity Church Road interchange are bracing for growth. A 1999 plan calls for an “urban village” there of compact streets and walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. Will the growth really follow that plan? (Photo: Nancy Pierce)

— Chuck McShane

photo NCDOT letter poses dilemma for low-tax Union County towns

NCDOT letter poses dilemma for low-tax Union County towns

A North Carolina Department of Transportation letter has planners and officials in several small Union County towns scrambling to figure out how they’ll maintain new subdivision streets in one of the state’s fastest growing counties.

— Chuck McShane