Land Development

Charlotte continues to grow rapidly as the hub of the metropolitan region. To meet the infrastructure challenges of this growth, the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) implements City Council-adopted plans and policies in a way that integrates transportation and land use planning, provides transportation mode choice, and promotes quality urban design and good access management. CDOT's Land Development section accomplishes this through rezoning petition review and permit processing through the CLT Development Center.

This page provides resources for rezoning and permitting development teams.

CLT
Development Center

Resources

Traffic Impact Studies

CDOT's evaluation of proposed developments includes consideration of the transportation network connectivity, circulation, operations, safety, multi-modal accommodation, compliance with adopted transportation plans and policies, compatibility with other projects, and access management. Traffic Impact Studies (TIS) are a tool used to evaluate a proposed development's impacts on the transportation system operations and safety. While typically used to evaluate rezoning petitions, a traffic impact study may be requested by CDOT to help evaluate by-right development as well.

Process and Guidelines

TIS Scoping Document

Developer Signal Improvement

When a development needs a new signal or modifications to an existing signal the Developer must enter into a Signal Improvement Agreement with the City prior to the approval of the roadway/intersection construction plans and permits for the land development project. This Agreement constitutes a commitment by the Developer to make payment to the City for the City's design, purchase, installation, signal equipment/pole relocation, and other related costs of the Signal Improvements needed for the land development project.

Developer Signal Improvement Process

Template Development Signal Agreement

Base Map Requirements for Traffic Signal Design Requests (CAD file requirements)

Residential Decorative Signs/Signposts

CDOT has developed an amended right-of-way encroachment process for requests to install decorative signposts in the public right-of-way on residential streets. This amended process is only available for decorative sign post installations on City maintained streets and not on ETJ/NCDOT maintained streets. An Agreement between the City and the Residential Developer is required for purposes of establishing maintenance responsibilities, liability and holding the City harmless in the event of an accident or damage resulting from the encroachment. There is no cost for this amended encroachment agreement process and it will be administered through our Public Service Division. (Note that requests will not be reviewed through the land development/subdivision site plan review process.)

Driveway Manual (Draft)

The Charlotte Department of Transportation regulates new and modified access to all public streets in Charlotte in accordance with the Driveway Regulations established under the authority of the Transportation Director. A draft manual is available that reflects current City Council policies that relate to street design and land use. There will be no formal public hearings or actions by City Council on this update. Comments may be submitted to Robyn Byers.