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Charlotte's UDO

 

Do you frequently use or reference Charlotte's development regulations?

The City of Charlotte, Department of Planning, Design, and Development will hold two conversations on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, to respond to development and design-related questions about the UDO. This session will be geared toward design and development professionals who may have very technical questions.

To ensure that all questions are addressed during this conversation, questions must be submitted in advance through the registration page or via email to [email protected] before next Tuesday, December 28, 2021. There will be two of these conversations from 12-1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Join the virtual conversation that best fits your schedule!

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with city staff on this first draft of the UDO!

UDO Frequent User Q&A Flyer

Newsletter Winter 2021: Office Demand, Proptech, Adaptive Reuse and More

 

NAIOP Research Pic

Although office net absorption remained negative throughout 2021, it is gradually climbing toward the positive side of the scale.
Office utilization rates remain low due to continued concerns about coronavirus transmission, and the Omicron variant has also introduced a new degree of uncertainty.
However, while a long-term increase in remote and hybrid work arrangements is likely to reduce demand for office space, the authors of the latest NAIOP Office Space Demand Forecast predict this will be more than offset in coming years by employment growth in office-using industries.
 
Demand for new office buildings is also favorable, as new builds offer the flexible work environments demanded in today's more uncertain world.
 

People picVIEWPOINT

"Investors funneled $9.5 billion into Proptech this year. What technologies do you see your business potentially implementing in the future?"

See replies.

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A unique opportunity to discuss the Charlotte UDO

 

Charlotte Pic

Do you frequently use or reference Charlotte’s development regulations?

The City of Charlotte, Department of Planning, Design, and Development will hold two conversations on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, to respond to development and design-related questions about the UDO. While we are calling all professionals who regularly use development regulations in Charlotte, all are welcome to attend.

To ensure that all questions are addressed during this conversation, questions must be submitted in advance through the registration page or via email to [email protected] before next Tuesday, December 28, 2021. We will host two of these conversations from 12-1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Join the virtual conversation that best fits your schedule!

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Two for Tuesday - Election Updates

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost on CRCBR.

2022 Elections Update (Again)

Vote

Things have certainly remained messy since our email newsletter went out last Tuesday.

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Deadline to Submit NAIOP NC Awards

NAIOP NC Project of the Year Awards

Submit Projects by Friday, February 18, 2022

We are now accepting nominations for the NAIOP NC Project of the Year awards. The Project of the Year Awards are given annually to project teams to recognize outstanding commercial development in North and South Carolina. The award is presented during the NAIOP North Carolina Statewide Meeting in Pinehurst. Nominations are accepted until February 18, 2022, by completing the online formClick here to view past winners.

Award Guidelines

The Project of the Year award is determined by a selection committee of industry peers. Awards will be given for two categories - new ground up or redevelopment. Because last year's conference was postponed, awards will be presented for 2021 and 2022. The following criteria are used to evaluate entries:

 

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Welcoming Freight to the Neighborhood

 

originally published by MARIE RUFF  for NAIOP National

Infrastructure Neighborhood

Industrial real estate contributes valuable jobs and services to the economy but is not always well understood by the local community. Concerns about traffic and adjacent land uses may also exist. In a session at NAIOP’s I.CON East in Jersey City, New Jersey, this week, a panel of experts discussed effective practices for engaging with local officials, decision-makers, and community members about the role of industrial facilities as a “good neighbor.”

Read the Full Article Here!

The Outlook for Capital Markets and Industrial Real Estate

 

originally published by SHAWN MOURA, PH.D. for NAIOP National

Capital Market

Low cap rates and rapidly rising rents reflect industrial real estate’s status as the leading sector in commercial real estate development. Record levels of capital are flowing to industrial real estate while tenants are willing to pay higher rents to secure additional inventory and shorten delivery timelines.

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Driverless Delivery Trucks Coming to a Road Near You

 

originally published by KATHRYN HAMILTON, CAE for NAIOP National

Driverless Car

On a seven-mile stretch of Arkansas roads this fall, retail giant and tech innovator Walmart began testing a new type of delivery truck: autonomous vehicles running a loop route that requires the truck to navigate intersections, obey traffic lights and merge on dense roadways. Notably missing? A driver. These trucks are the first ever on the roads without a safety driver.

Read the Full Article Here!

Inside the Complex Cold Storage Sector

 

originally published by JEFF ZBAR for NAIOP National

cold storage

The years leading up to the pandemic were hot for cold storage. It only promises to grow going forward.

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E-Commerce Drives Industrial Development in Q4 2021

 

originally published by LUCIAN ALIXANDRESCU for NAIOP National

warehouse

After the initial shock of the pandemic, industrial real estate emerged as one of the asset classes least affected by the ensuing economic downturn. While the causes are multifaceted, the sudden spike in demand for products ordered and curbside pick-up meant that retailers — both online and brick-and-mortar — scrambled to secure the space they needed to fulfill the influx of new orders.

Read the Full Article Here!

City of Charlotte Elections Filing Opens Next Week

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost to NAIOP

#1) 2022 Elections: Filing Begins Next Week

Vote

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City Releases Easy to Understand Reference Guide of Unified Development Ordinance

 

originally published by City of Charlotte with permission to repost on NAIOP Charlotte

City of Charlotte Pic

City Releases Easy to Understand Reference Guide of Unified Development Ordinance

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Nov. 24, 2021) – The City of Charlotte on Wednesday released an easy-to-understand reference guide of the first draft of the Unified Development Ordinance.

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Release of the Draft Comprehensive Transportation Review (CTR) Guidelines

 

The Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) has released for public review and comment a draft of the Comprehensive Transportation Review (CTR) Guidelines. 

These guidelines are a key component to implementing the 2040 Plan and the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).  As stakeholders and partners in the development of the UDO, we value your continued engagement, review, and input.

Why are they important?

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Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map Survey

A special thanks to Elizabeth McMillan at Crescent Communities for sharing this information below.  Please pass along to your colleagues.

As a follow-up to the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the Charlotte Planning Department has moved into Part 2 of the implementation phase, the Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map. This part of the process will translate the plan’s place-based policies to specific locations throughout the community.  The Planning Department has put out a survey to collect data and input from residents and professionals to help influence the Policy Map, which will help guide the UDO.

Please feel free to share this email with others in hopes that more of our voices can be heard.

Complete Survey

** The first page sets the stage for the previous work and gives an overview of the process, so may be helpful if you need a refresher.

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Important Government Affairs Update

Top 3 Items to Note:

  1. We are making significant progress on our efforts to identify and bring aboard a seasoned individual to provide additional eyes and ears on the ground in Iredell County and Cabarrus County.  More on that to come later this week.
  1. The City of Charlotte is seeking development/real estate representatives to serve on two advisory boards created by the passage of the policy section of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.  It is essential we engage qualified and knowledgeable individuals to fill these positions.  We have an incredible opportunity here and I could use your help.  (Deadline is Friday, August 27th, details follow)
Charlotte Equitable Development Commission
The Charlotte Equitable Development Commission was created with the adoption of the Future Charlotte 2040 Comprehensive Plan by City Council resolution on June 21, 2021. The Commission is charged with advising in the assessment of infrastructure throughout the city and recommending strategies that balance equitable investments in areas most in need, including areas with absent and insufficient facilities, areas growing fastest, and areas targeted for growth. The Commission will work with the Office of Strategy and Budget to provide input on the development of the city’s proposed Capital Investment Plan. The Commission will provide regular updates to the Budget and Effectiveness Council Committee and quarterly reports to the entire Council.  The committee will consist of individuals with significant backgrounds in community development and infrastructure assessments. Examples of preferred experience shall include consulting engineers in the project development business; attorneys specializing in development; developers; independent business representatives; construction contractors; bankers or insurance agents engaged in the financial aspect of development; representatives from homebuilder's association; homeowners or neighborhood association representatives.
9 Members (3 appointments by Mayor, 6 appointments by City Council), Term Length – 3 years, 1 term
 
Charlotte’s Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization Commission (Charlotte’s NEST)
The City of Charlotte needs to address displacement caused by gentrification in a comprehensive, broad, and systematic, intentional manner. The recently adopted 2040 Comprehensive Plan includes the establishment of the Charlotte Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization Commission (Charlotte’s NEST). The City currently has an adopted Affordable Housing Framework coupled with a number of neighborhood programs that are used to address gentrification. However, the City desires to engage the community in developing additional strategies to limit displacement. Therefore, the Charlotte Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization Commission is established for a 3-year period and is charged with reviewing and recommending specific anti-displacement strategies and specific tools for protecting residents of moderate to high vulnerability of displacement. The Commission will make regular reports to the Great Neighborhood Council Committee, quarterly reports to the entire Council and provide recommendations for combatting displacement prior to the implementation of the Plan.
15 Members (5 appointments by Mayor, 10 appointments by City Council) who shall be appointed according to the following criteria:
- 3 appointees - Housing Advocates (1 appointed by Mayor, 2 appointed by Council)
- 3 appointees - Neighborhood Leaders or Community Organizers (1 appointed by Mayor, 2 appointed by Council)
- 3 appointees - Involved in the Real Estate Development Industry as specified below:
- Non-Profit Affordable Housing Developer (1 appointment by the Mayor)
- For Profit Affordable Housing Developer (1 appointment by the Council)
- Market Rate Housing Developer (1 appointment by the Council)
- 2 appointees - Residents who have experienced or are experiencing displacement (1 appointed by Mayor, 1 appointed by Council)
- 1 Urban Studies and Planning Representative with experience in displacement and gentrification and implementing equitable inclusive development strategies (1 appointment by the Mayor)
- 1 Housing Finance Representative with experience in rental housing finance and homeownership and affordable and subsidized housing (1 appointment by the Council)
- 1 Land Use Representative with expertise and experience in historic preservation and landmarks, zoning, and development rights (1 appointment by the Council)
- 1 appointee - Neighborhood Conditions Representative with expertise and experience in economic development, health, racial/ethnic segregation, schools and education and crime (1 appointment by the Council)
Term Length – 3 years, 1 term
 

For more information on the new advisory boards, please visit: https://charlottenc.gov/CityClerk/Pages/BoardsandCommissions.aspx

 

  1. The next phases of CLT Future 2040 (mapping and UDO) are underway –
    • Alan and I had our second monthly meeting with Taiwo and Alyson last Thursday.  As a result of that meeting, REBIC will be putting together a small group of design professionals that will meet with planning staff every two weeks (for as long as necessary) beginning a few days prior to the public release of the UDO on October 4th.  These meetings will allow REBIC representatives to provide feedback and to receive an immediate response, much earlier in the process, on elements of the proposed ordinance that could be problematic if implemented  It also allows us to be a cheerleader for those things in the UDO that help streamline the process and reduce development time frames.
    • Brenda Hayden will be joining Alan and me for the monthly meetings beginning in September.
    • A brief presentation containing the projected schedule for mapping/UDO is here.
  • Due to recent and higher than anticipated COVID infection rates, the Government Center has been closed to the public for the time being.

Forecast Office Absorption Surges to Positive Gains

 

originally published by NAIOP Research Foundation with permission to repost for NAIOP Charlotte

The NAIOP Office Space Demand Forecast

Forecast Absorption Surges to Positive Gains in Q4 and Beyond

The NAIOP Research Foundation has published the NAIOP Office Space Demand Forecast for Q4 2021.

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North Carolina Budget Update

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost through NAIOP Charlotte

State Seal PicThe North Carolina General Assembly released their long-awaited conference budget report on Monday. The budget, once approved by both chambers, will then be sent to the Governor. Today, Governor Cooper indicated he would sign the budget proposal.

The budget includes massive infrastructure investments. 

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Hybrid Goals? Reinventing the Office, Faster and Better Than Before

 

originally published by MICHAEL CASOLO for NAIOP National

Hybrid Office Pic

Workplace changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are sweeping us forward into an era of hybrid work, giving businesses a historic opportunity to rewrite the workplace rulebook.

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Local Reliance on Property Tax Revenue

 

originally published by TOBY BURKE for NAIOP National

Taxes Pic

Every local government in the United States is required to operate under a balanced budget where incoming revenues equal outgoing expenditures. The National League of Cities has referred to these local budget as “political instrument(s)” that governs public policy priorities, funds government services, and programs, sets spending limitations, and establish a level of transparency and accountability in applying revenue.

Read the Full Article Here

NAIOP Commends Congress on Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

 

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, commends congressional lawmakers on the passage of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, which now moves to President Joe Biden for signature into law. 
 

A longtime priority issue for NAIOP members – the nation’s foremost owners, developers, and investors of office, industrial, retail, and other commercial real estate – the bills $550 billion in new federal investments in U.S. infrastructure will provide critical financial support for roads, bridges, rail and mass transit systems, as well as underlying water, energy, power, and broadband systems, among others. 
 

Investment in these transportation and infrastructure networks is essential to repairing and strengthening the supply chain. Included in the bill are $17 billion for port infrastructure and $25 billion for airports – critical funds that will help address facility deterioration, lower emissions through electrification and other low-carbon technologies, and reduce congestion near these heavily-trafficked areas.  
 


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