Originally published on September 21, 2022, by Toby Burke for NAIOP Blog.

The federal government in the United States is responsible for establishing national policies and objectives that are often not achievable without the active participation of state and local governments in our federalist system of government. Federal funds are usually included as part of these efforts to assist state and local governments in following federal guidelines and procedures to implement these policies. This reliance on the involvement of state and local governments places significant importance on strong intergovernmental relationships. 

Read More

REBIC's Rob Nenfelt and his team put together this week's Two For Tuesday and UDO takes center stage early next week.

UDO - Public Hearing Scheduled for Monday

The Charlotte City Council has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for Monday, July 11. The Council Action Review begins at 5:00 pm followed by the Public Forum/Business meeting at 6:30 pm. An agenda should be available here by Friday afternoon. Click here to sign up to speak. 

Also, Planning Staff has just released responses to public comments submitted prior to last Thursday's deadline. Additional changes will be reflected in the next and likely final draft when it is released which will occur prior to the expected vote on adoption in late August. Here's a link to the page containing the Second Draft Public Comments - With Staff Responses.

For additional UDO resources, please visit Charlotte's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) - (charlotteudo.org).

As Charlotte strives for a UDO, what can we learn from Raleigh? Hear a discussion with public and private perspectives about the process, transition and implementation.

originally published by REBIC with permission to prepost

Primary Elections are just around the corner! The time is now to do your research and get involved. As a reminder, the Election schedule is as follows:

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost

Important reminder that the comment period for the first draft of Charlotte’s proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) closes at the end of the day on Friday, March 18th. We anticipate the next draft being released sometime in May and have encouraged a number of changes aimed at providing greater certainty with reduced timelines, more flexibility for challenging projects, and the ability to develop and produce additional housing stock to meet existing and future demands. We hope you will take the time to share your concerns with Planning Staff through the available online comment portal.

originally published by TOBY BURKE for NAIOP National with permission to repost

Most state governments have emerged from the pandemic-induced economic slowdown with budgetary surpluses because projected revenue losses did not occur.  Losses in tax collections from certain sectors of the economy, such as restaurants, hospitality and entertainment, were offset by the collection of sales taxes from increased internet transactions, along with the $193.5 billion to states under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The State Expenditure Report from the National Association of State Budget Officers notes that, while state expenditures have increased, so have revenues by 12.8% for fiscal year.

Read the Full Article

originally published for NAIOP National

Authorization for continued government spending will expire on Friday, March 11, unless Congress agrees on an omnibus fiscal 2022 appropriations bill or passes another short-term funding extension. The time frame for action is shorter, however, because the House of Representatives is scheduled to recess Wednesday, with Democrats going to Philadelphia for their policy retreat.

House Democrats had planned to pass the omnibus spending bill by Wednesday, but negotiations have been complicated by a White House request for an additional $22.5 billion for COVID-19 relief funding, and the need for supplemental funding for humanitarian, military and economic aid for Ukraine. 

NC lawmakers pass new political maps, this time with…

North Carolina lawmakers have now passed new political districts for themselves and the state’s 14 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives – but it’s not the final decision, since the court system will still have a say in the matter next week. …

Read more
www.newsobserver.com

The final recommended policy maps were released yesterday and can be found here.

1. Please review any properties in which you may have an interest (current or future), provide comments online (either on the map app directly or via email to [email protected]), and let us know (via email) of any remaining concerns you may have. The comment period ends on March 21st.
2. We are putting together a list of those who are willing to speak at the public hearing scheduled for the evening of Monday, February 28th. At this point it appears comments will be accepted both in person (PREFERRED – demonstrates higher level of commitment and interest in the issue) and virtually. If you or someone in your organization is available please sign up here and we will contact you.

The Policy Map is scheduled to be adopted on March 28th. The upcoming public hearing is our opportunity to convey any outstanding concerns to the ultimate decision makers – Members of the Charlotte City Council. General talking points will be available for distribution prior to the hearing.

INTERESTED IN SPEAKING AT THE CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING? SIGN UP HERE TO LET US KNOW!

Last year, the NAIOP Charlotte Legislative E-List was created with the purpose of allowing members in good standing a platform to stay up to date and connected to the many legislative activities going on in Charlotte and the industry as well as participate in ongoing conversations relevant to the commercial real estate development community. Between the 2040 Comp Plan, UDO, Policy Maps, just to name a few, this is a fantastic tool to stay in the know. This list can be managed through your member profile. Follow these steps to sign up today.

2040 Policy Map
Charlotte’s 2040 Policy Map, currently undergoing its third iteration, is scheduled to be released next Monday, February 21st with a public hearing to follow on February 28th. We hope the new map will incorporate many of our recommendations, including encouraging higher densities where appropriate and letting the market guide potential future land use options. 

Election Update
The General Assembly is scheduled to vote Wednesday and Thursday of this week on newly drawn Congressional and State House and Senate Districts. Many involved in the process are hoping to reach some sort of compromise so the elections may proceed. Candidate filing is scheduled to recommence on February 24th. If things haven’t been settled by then, look for election dates to be pushed back yet again.

Beginning next Thursday, the Charlotte Department of Planning, Design & Development will host weekly virtual listening sessions focused on UDO topics that have sparked particular interest from the community. We invite you to share your input with staff about the proposed standards in the first draft UDO for the topics listed below. Each session will be offered twice on the scheduled day, from 12-1p.m. and 6-7p.m via Zoom. Registration is required. 

Thursdays with the UDO Virtual Listening Sessions
February 17, 2022 | Heritage Tree Protection
February 24, 2022 | Short-Term Rentals
March 3, 2022 | Neighborhood 1 Zoning Districts
March 10, 2022 | Parking

These sessions will include a brief presentation from staff about the topic followed by an open forum. If you are interested in speaking during the session, please sign up to speak when you register to attend. Based on the number of registered participants, individual speaking time will be limited. Your feedback is important to us, and we look forward to hearing from you!

REGISTER HERE

originally published by KATHRYN HAMILTON, CAE for NAIOP National with permission to repost. 

Five primary factors will shape this November’s midterm elections. Each has varying degrees of importance, but all solidly affect President Joe Biden’s approval ratings, which influences how people will vote, said Larry Sabato, Ph.D., political prognosticator, professor of politics at the University of Virginia, and founder and director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, during an exclusive NAIOP members-only webinar this week.

Read the Full Article!

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost

Last summer the City of Charlotte Planning, Design & Development Department kicked-off the Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map process as a first step in putting the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan into action. Thank you to those of you who have participated in engagement in this effort to date.

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost.

From the News & Observer:

North Carolina Senate Republicans plan on Wednesday to postpone the state’s primary elections to June 7, citing ongoing litigation of the newly enacted redistricting maps. The state Supreme Court scheduled arguments in the redistricting case for Feb. 2. The court in December pushed back the primary from its original March 8 date to May 17, as part of an expedited hearing schedule for challenges to the redrawn maps. But Sen. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, said Monday that the current schedule “is an extremely short timeframe that will cause unnecessary confusion and chaos.”

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost. 

Catawba Crossings

The Catawba Crossings Project will evaluate the feasibility of a new roadway between Gaston County and Mecklenburg County. The Project includes two new bridges over the South Fork Catawba River and Catawba River and a new interchange with I-485.

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost. 

New schedule for Policy Map announced today:

originally published by TOBY BURKE for NAIOP National with permission to repost. 

As the new year begins, lawmakers will begin returning to their chambers to discuss and debate numerous pieces of legislation. Congress is currently focused on President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better initiative and voting rights legislation, but conventional wisdom suggests that passage of meaningful, nonpartisan legislation will remain a challenge during an election year.

originally published by REBIC for Two for Tuesday with permission to repost.

originally published by REBIC with permission to reshare.

During last night’s Charlotte City Council Business Meeting (start at 7 minute and 45-second mark), Alysia Osborne, Project Director, gave a presentation on the 2040 Policy Map. The second draft of the map will be released on January 18th. The other details on the new schedule may be found here.