NVR Inc., a prominent homebuilding company headquartered in Virginia, has received approval from the Charlotte City Council for its planned community project. This significant endeavor, initially proposed nearly two years ago, is set to transform 151 acres of wooded land situated on the north side of Old Concord Road, east of North Tryon Street, and south of West Rocky River Road.
The approved NVR’s planned community project aims to introduce a diverse housing portfolio to this expansive area. It will comprise around 650 residential units, including single-family houses, townhomes, and condominiums, thus catering to the housing needs of a wide range of potential residents.
The road to approval for NVR was not without its share of delays, as the project faced several setbacks before finally securing the City Council’s endorsement on a Monday evening. The council members unanimously voted in favor of NVR’s rezoning request, marking a significant milestone for the development.
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NVR’s petition sought to rezone the area from its existing designations of neighborhood and single-family residential districts to MX-2 INNOV (mixed-use, innovative), allowing for a more flexible and diversified land use. This rezoning, approved by the council, paves the way for a community that can encompass up to 319 single-family, for-sale homes and up to 330 multifamily rental units.
Charlotte City Council member Renee Johnson, who represents District 4 where the NVR’s planned community project site is located, played a pivotal role in evaluating and advocating for the development. She had previously deferred the vote on NVR’s petition twice, seeking crucial information related to the tree canopy. Johnson emphasized the importance of preserving the natural environment, given the vast green space that would be impacted by this project.
Throughout the two-year development process, NVR demonstrated a commitment to working closely with residents who might be affected by the project. They held numerous meetings and displayed responsiveness to the concerns of the neighbors.
Total number of dwellings in NVR’s planned community in Charlotte
In an effort to address these concerns, NVR made noteworthy concessions. They reduced the total number of dwellings from the initial proposal of 683 to 649 through the rezoning process and also contributed an additional 20 acres of tree preservation.
While the tree canopy report has not been made public yet, Johnson’s willingness to support the project was based on new information shared with her by city staff. The specifics of this data remain undisclosed, but it was sufficient for her to cast her vote in favor of the development.
As a parting request, Johnson urged developers of a larger project elsewhere to postpone their petition until the updated tree canopy report is published in writing. The timeline for the release of this report remains uncertain, but the next city council zoning meeting is scheduled for November 20, offering hope for an informed decision regarding the larger project’s environmental impact.
