City Council approves 3 major projects that will change future of Charlotte

Charlotte City Council on Monday night approved three major projects that will change the future of Charlotte.

Eastland MLS headquarters

After years of debate and discussion, the city of Charlotte approved a rezoning petition for the former Eastland Mall site. Charlotte City Council unanimously approved the rezoning petition that will pave the way for the site to hold Charlotte’s MLS team headquarters, a practice facility, apartments, retail, restaurants and office space.

"We need to address economic opportunity in east Charlotte," Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera said. "There are so many residents who have to commute outside the district for their job."

['It’s a long time coming’: City of Charlotte files plans for old Eastland Mall site]

Crosland Southeast is the lead developer for Eastland. The Charlotte City Council's vote Monday addressed land use. Conversations and agreements will still take place between the city and developer about affordable housing and other development opportunities at the site.

“I am really looking forward to what will become a very dynamic and wonderful development site,” Councilman Matt Newton said.

Atrium expansion

The Charlotte City Council approved plans that will allow Atrium to expand its campus in Dilworth.

Over the next decade, Atrium will be able to build a new bed tower, a new rehabilitation hospital, a medical school and up to 425 apartments. City staff announced Monday that 60% of the 425 apartments, if built, will be workforce housing. Councilman Larken Egleston credited Mayor Vi Lyles for helping land that concession.

City councilmembers also credited Atrium for working with local neighbors.

"Atrium has worked collaboratively with neighbors. This impacts a lot of people," Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt said. "It is the elephant in the neighborhood."

Ballantyne ReImagined

Charlotte City Council voted 8-3 to approve the Ballantyne ReImagined project. The project will transform the current Ballantyne golf course into a project that includes a park, amphitheater, retail, office space, restaurants and more than 3,000 apartments. Councilmembers Braxton Winston, Matt Newton and Renee Perkins Johnson voted against the petition.

“This is a huge economic development opportunity in our city,” Ajmera said. “It is a huge investment that will bring jobs.”

Seversville ‘car-free’ apartments

The Charlotte City Council also discussed the city's first "car-free" apartment complex. A developer wants to put it across from Blue Blaze Brewing in the Seversville neighborhood.

The development would have 104 apartment units and only six parking spaces. The developer said it would be a requirement for residents to not own a car.

"We will evict you if you buy a car," developer Clay Grubb said.

According to the developer, 50% of the complex's units will be affordable housing. By not having parking, the developer is able to not seek public tax dollars to make the project work. The average parking space costs $30,000 per space and adds about $250 per month to a resident's rent, the developer said.

The project is located next to the Stewart Creek Greenway and a half-mile from the streetcar expansion. It will take four years to build if approved.

The president of the Seversville Neighborhood Association spoke out against the project calling it a “monstrosity.” Other neighbors expressed concerns about the lack of parking and enforcement. The Charlotte City Council will vote on the project in the coming months.

Old Eastland Mall site will be home to city's MLS headquarters, practice facility Old Eastland Mall site will be home to city's MLS headquarters, practice facility

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