175 housing units coming to Elizabeth's booming 7th Street after controversial rezoning

Charlotte city leaders OK'd a highly debated development that will introduce more dense housing between the burgeoning East 7th Street corridor and Elizabeth's quiet residential community.

Why it matters: The development demonstrates the ongoing division in Elizabeth. Neighbors are split over how to preserve the area's history while embracing its inevitable future as an expansion of center city.

Flashback: Last month, Charlotte City Council voted to defer the rezoning necessary for this project. Some members worried the maximum height of 78 feet would set a precedent for taller buildings. Plus, city staff had recommended denial.

• But city staff has since changed its position after tweaking some details with the developer, Centrum Realty & Development.
• A city planner told council that Centrum is contributing $132,439.50 to the city's affordable housing efforts in exchange for the height.

The latest: The approved iteration comprises 175 residential units, down from 213 and 193 in two earlier versions. It's on a vacant lot between Lamar Avenue and Clement Avenue.

• Plans incorporate 4,000 square feet of retail and 1.25 underground parking spots per unit, per city documents. That's an increase from an earlier site plan that had 1.1 spots.
• The height is the same as pitched last month. The front of the building would reach 78 feet, and the rear would be a max of 45 feet to ease the impact on single-family homes.

The big picture: Proponents view this vote as a "yes" for supplying housing, which may help meet demand and lower prices.

What they're saying: "What we have before us is an opportunity to bring an incredible building that is architecturally and materially aesthetic and unique and different, " the area's district rep Danté Anderson said.

The other side: Council member LaWana Mayfield was the sole "nay" vote. She said these types of projects lead to major neighborhood transitions and negatively impact decades-long residents.

• Opponents believe it won't fit in with the neighborhood and won't provide enough parking.

Editor's note: We've updated this story with a new rendering of the development.

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