Bat'leth

The Kenny Rogers is now the Showmars in Elizabeth

A good example of large home in Elizabeth being divided is the Alexander House at the corner of Clement Ave & 8th St. Years ago it was divided internally into 5 separate condos. The exterior is pretty much intact, and many do not realize that it is not a single family home.

While, agreed about having mostly SHFs, From where I live in Elizabeth I count 12 quadraplexes within a couple of blocks. These are 2 story bldgs that have existed in the neighborhood for a long time and pretty much fit in seamlessly. There is also a couple of older apt bldgs with 20 units total. That's a total of 68 apt/condo units spread throughout a small area, and does not negatively impact the neighborhood. On a street near me I count 37 SFH/properties along a 3 block strip. If the city would promote ADU's facing onto the alleys, that could add at least 37 more rental units , adding density, with minimal impact to the overall character of the neighborhood.

Axios has picked up on the Elizabeth neighborhood's struggle to get historic district status. Dilworth is brought up as an example of an existing historic district. I was very surprised to see that the President of the Elizabeth Community Association allowed himself to be quoted trashing Dilworth: https://charlotte.axios.com/328519/charlotte-elizabeth-historic-designation-development/ Quote from article: But West Bryant, president of the ECA, sees Dilworth as “a little kingdom of very wealthy people surrounded by a legal moat.”

Looks like Axios has picked up on the Historic District situation in Elizabeth. https://charlotte.axios.com/328519/charlotte-elizabeth-historic-designation-development/ I'm surprised that the President of the Elizabeth Community Association trashed Dilworth for the article: Quote from article: But West Bryant, president of the ECA, sees Dilworth as “a little kingdom of very wealthy people surrounded by a legal moat.”

My understanding is that a local developer is building this as a spec house. I don't know if they have a buyer already

Well said, about protecting the neighborhood setting. Recently a neighborhood email went out about a house being built at Pecan Avenue & 9th St. The photo attached to it shows a 3 story blank wall crammed up against the 1 story house next to it.

This is a proposed section through the building. I'm told the first elevations are of a pretty modern look - brick & glass. Definitely not trying to fit in with its surroundings here as they did elsewhere.

From Charlotte Ledger. 6 story hotel proposed for corner of 7th St & Lamar Ave where Royal Gardens bldg now sits. Current area plan calls for street level retail & office or residential above. 4 stories or 40 feet max height. From Charlotte Ledger: A boutique hotel with ‘concierge-style service’ is envisioned in Elizabeth A Durham developer is proposing to build a 6-story boutique hotel in the Elizabeth neighborhood. So far as we know, there is no hotel at the moment in Elizabeth, so building a 47-room hotel on the northeast corner of East 7th Street and Lamar Avenue — catty corner from Cajun Queen — would be a new look. Documents filed with the city show that a company called Lucrum Seven LLC has filed a rezoning petition for the 0.6-acre site, and the site plan calls for a 73-foot-high hotel with underground parking and 6,800 s.f. of retail. The site now contains two houses, built in 1913 and 1935, with one being used until recently as a business (a garden shop). There are condos next to the property on one side and single-family homes on the other. It’s zoned for general business. In Elizabeth, 7th Street is a main commercial corridor. Public records seem to show that Lucrum Seven is linked to a company called The Carolina Experience, whose website says it operates four properties, in Edenton, Mount Airy, Elkin and Blowing Rock. It says it has “premium properties” that “aim to deliver concierge-style service at beautiful destinations across the state.”

I was at the meeting. They are doing what they call a flatiron at the corner, but I wasn't impressed. With more work, it could look good, but does not right now.

The rumor that I've heard in the neighborhood is that Crescent Communities is interested in taking over the project at 7th St & Caswell Rd. I think a great majority in the neighborhood is ready to see something built there

Not sure how you can support your statement that the flatiron building at 7th & Pecan will be lost because of the Nimbys. The Elizabeth neighborhood supported the rezoning. We're just waiting for Faison to build it.

I understand that they are saying that they budgeted $18 million for the project, now it is coming in at $22 million, so they've hired another Architecture firm, and are trying to re-design & cut a lot out of the building. I don't think the Elizabeth neighborhood is going to take this very well.

According to an email, Kinsey met with developers, asked for changes. They made the requested changes, and she still voted against. Copies distributed showing the latest elevations are attached 7th Caswell 1.pdf 7th Caswell 2.pdf

It complements the side elevation of the Gibson Apts down the street, facing Central Coffee.

Same problem exists at 7th & Pecan

Changes made by Faison to address concerns about density & under-parking the facility: 1. Reduced # of Apts from 123 down to 100. 2. Parking: increased ratios to 1 space per apt bedroom, Restaurant: Park at 10 spaces per 1000 sf. 3. Addressed concerns about scale/massing by breaking project into 2 buildings along 7th St. The above items were brought up by the neighborhood several times in the months prior to the public hearing, but were not addressed. Condition agreed to months ago: At time when plans are submitted for permit review, Faison will issue a set of building plans & elevations to the Elizabeth Community Association so that they can verify that final design is in compliance with rezoning docs and things have not been "VE'd" out. Faison will hold a pre-construction meeting between Faison, Contractor, & neighborhood residents to discuss items such as noise, parking, deliveries, etc. This will also help Contractor by making expectations clear, and establishing points of contact within the neighborhood so contractor knows who to call if a problem with a neighboring property owner comes up. The $25K donation was never requested or sought out by the neighborhood, but was proposed by Faison, and can be used for any neighborhood improvement project.

Observer got it wrong. Because of the scope of the changes, a re-do of the public hearing was required. Last night's presentation was a public hearing. The actual vote will be next month. But, the Elizabeth Neighborhood Association came out in support of the rezoning at last night's hearing due to Faison making the changes that they requested

A resident in Elizabeth tells me that she saw who put up the "No Faison Apartments" signs. He is a person who lives adjacent to the property and who is a well known "Bull in the China Shop" personality. The signs are not a part of any organized neighborhood protest to the project. Last evening the Elizabeth Neighborhood Association sent out an email supporting the rezoning, due to changes that Faison made to address neighborhood concerns. A second public hearing on the rezoning petition before City Council will take place Monday, June 20

Elizabeth did not say No to the rezoning. There are some ongoing concerns about how traffic enters and exits the parking garage, and the amount of parking they are providing onsite that had not been resolved at the time of the hearing, so they said "No approval at this time". Conversations are ongoing. As Mayor Roberts said "Looks like there is still work to be done".

Nice pics