CAC-2: Community Activity Center 2 Zoning District in Charlotte
The CAC-2: Community Activity Center 2 Zoning District in the City of Charlotte is a moderate-intensity classification designed to support a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented mix of retail, office, and residential uses. Structures in the City of Charlotte CAC-2 District are permitted to reach heights of 120 feet, which may be increased to 200 feet through the use of voluntary development bonuses [Article 11, Section 11.1.B; Table 11-2]. The district enforces strict building form standards, such as requiring building facades to occupy at least 80% of the build-to zone along most primary street frontages to ensure a well-defined and accessible public realm [Table 11-1].
Purpose and General Character
The primary purpose of the CAC-2: Community Activity Center 2 Zoning District is to accommodate a moderate-intensity mixture of land uses in an environment that is easily accessible and well-connected to surrounding neighborhoods [Article 11, Section 11.1.B]. The City of Charlotte intended this district to serve the daily needs of residents within walking distance while also supporting visitors from the broader region via multiple modes of transportation.
The general character of the CAC-2 District is defined by high-quality design and a walkable, bikeable urban form. Standards in this district are specifically tailored to create a comfortable pedestrian environment, necessitating features such as active ground-floor designs and prominent building entrances [Article 11, Section 11.1.B].
Permitted Land Uses
The CAC-2: Community Activity Center 2 Zoning District allows for a broad spectrum of residential, commercial, and institutional uses. Many uses are permitted by-right ("X"), while others are allowed subject to prescribed conditions ("PC") to mitigate impacts on the surrounding City of Charlotte community [Article 15, Section 15.2].
Residential Uses
- Multi-family dwellings (stacked and attached)
- Multi-dwelling developments
- Dormitories
- Group homes
- Single-room occupancy (SRO) housing
Commercial and Employment Uses
- Retail goods establishments and retail showrooms
- Restaurants and bars
- Hotels and motels
- Office spaces
- Art galleries and fitness studios
- Personal service establishments (e.g., beauty shops, dry cleaners)
- Micro-production of alcohol
Institutional and Governmental Uses
- Community centers
- Cultural facilities
- Educational facilities (Pre-school, Primary/Secondary, University, or Vocational)
- Government offices and facilities
- Places of worship
[Table 15-1]
Building Siting and Dimensional Standards
Building siting in the City of Charlotte CAC-2 District is governed by specific setbacks and build-to zone (BTZ) requirements based on the type of street frontage.
| Standard | Main Street | 4-5 Lane Avenue | 2-3 Lane Avenue | Secondary Frontage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontage Setback Line | 24 feet | 20 feet | 20 feet | 16 feet |
| Build-To Zone (BTZ) | 0-20 feet | 0-20 feet | 0-20 feet | 0-20 feet |
| Min. BTZ % for Structure | 80% | 80% | 80% | 60% |
| Min. Side Setback | 0 feet* | 0 feet* | 0 feet* | 0 feet* |
| Min. Rear Setback | 0 feet* | 0 feet* | 0 feet* | 0 feet* |
*Note: Setbacks increase to 10 feet for side yards and 20 feet for rear yards when abutting a Neighborhood 1 Place Type [Table 11-1].
Building Height and Articulation
The City of Charlotte CAC-2 District allows for significant vertical development, provided that the building design maintains pedestrian-scale interest through articulation and transparency [Table 11-2; Table 11-3].
| Height Standard | Requirement (Feet) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Building Height | 24 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 120 feet |
| Maximum Height with Bonus | 200 feet |
Articulation and Design Requirements
- Maximum Building Length: 400 feet [Table 11-3].
- Maximum Blank Wall Area: 20 feet (horizontal or vertical) [Table 11-3].
- Minimum Ground Floor Height: 16 feet for both residential and nonresidential components along most frontages [Table 11-3].
- Transparency: Nonresidential ground floors must be at least 50% transparent (60% on Main Street), while residential ground floors require 25% transparency [Table 11-4].
- Prominent Entrances: A minimum of one prominent entrance is required for each building on a site. For buildings exceeding 250 feet in length, additional prominent entrances are required based on spacing standards [Table 11-3; Section 11.3.G.2].
Development Bonuses and Open Space
Property owners in the CAC-2 District may achieve additional building height or reduce on-site open space requirements by participating in the City of Charlotte voluntary bonus system. This typically involves the provision of affordable housing [Article 16, Section 16.3].
Standard on-site open space requirements for the CAC-2: Community Activity Center 2 Zoning District are as follows:
- Total On-Site Open Space: Minimum of 10% of the site area.
- Public Open Space: For commercial developments, at least 50% of the required open space must be public. For mixed-use developments, 25% must be public [Table 11-8].
Off-Street Parking
The CAC-2 District falls under "Tier 3" for vehicle parking requirements. This tier generally removes minimum parking requirements for many uses to encourage transit use and walkability, while establishing maximum parking limits to prevent over-parking in the City of Charlotte [Article 19, Section 19.2; Table 19-1].
Sections Cited
- Article 11. Community Activity Center Zoning Districts: CAC-1, CAC-2
- Article 15. Use Regulations
- Article 16. General Development Regulations
- Article 19. Off-Street Vehicle & Bicycle Parking