Overview

Our department's webpages contain an array of resources and are one of the best ways to learn about the work underway. For example, if you received a letter about a proposal or saw a sign announcing a hearing or project, see the Development Projects or Map & Text Amendments sections for more information. These webpages can be accessed on the left-hand side of this page. 

Recent Updates

7/31/2018

Good Afternoon Davidson Citizens,

Below you’ll find a list and short description of things that we’re working on, along with how to find additional information about each topic. We hope you find this information useful. If you want to follow up with us about any questions you may have, please do so – our contact information is available on our department’s homepage. Check back from time to time for updates.

- Town of Davidson Planning Department

1. Davidson Mobility Plan:  The mobility plan is moving along. In the next few weeks we will receive a complete Davidson Mobility Plan draft. Once the draft plan is complete, we will upload it to the project website for public comment and review. An announcement will be sent via the town’s Planning and Mobility Plan eCrier once the plan is posted. For the latest information about the Davidson Mobility Plan please visit the project webpage (www.davidsonmobilityplan.com).

2. Red Line Update:  CATS is hosting an open house today, July 31 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the board room at Davidson Town Hall to provide updates concerning the LYNX Rapid Transit Services study. This study is evaluating alternatives to the Red Line for the North Corridor. For more information about the study please visit the project webpage.

3. Public Input Sessions:  Two public input sessions are scheduled for August:

• Lake Cornelius Residential:  A public input session will be held Wednesday, August 8 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the board room at Davidson Town Hall. The purpose of the meeting will be for the project owner, Meeting Street Homes & Communities, to discuss with the public their proposed master plan for 14 single-family homes on Catawba Avenue. For additional information, including a map of the project location and the submitted plans, please see the project webpage.
• North Harbor Club CPA (Conditional Planning Area):  A public input session will be held Wednesday, August 29 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the board room at Davidson Town Hall. The purpose of the meeting will be for the project owner, The Lake Norman Company, to discuss with the public their proposed improvements to the North Harbor Club restaurant and the office building located at 400 North Harbor Place. For additional information, including a map of the project location and the submitted plans, please see the project webpage.

4. Comprehensive Plan:  This fall Davidson is preparing to undertake a comprehensive plan, its first since 2010. The comprehensive plan is the leading policy document and tool to help communities create a vision and guiding principles for decision-making for their town. Since late June, a commissioner-appointed group of citizens, staff, and stakeholders has been reviewing responses to the town’s Request for Proposals released in late May. The RFP outlined comprehensive plan concepts and invited firms interested in assisting with the plan process to present their proposals for consideration. Currently, the committee is interviewing finalists and the committee’s work will be presented to the board of commissioners in August. For further information regarding the comprehensive plan, please see the project webpage.

4. Text Amendments:  Three sets of proposed text amendments are coming before the board of commissioners in August:

• Reducing Scale of Village Infill Building Types:  In their Strategic Plan approved earlier this year the board of commissioners identified as a priority the need to review the building types permitted in the Village Infill Planning Area. An overview of the existing and proposed regulations will be provided at the August 7 board of commissioners meeting.
• Watershed Ordinance Standards:  At their July 10 meeting, the board of commissioners directed staff to move forward with the proposed revisions to Davidson Planning Ordinance Section 17 Watershed Protection Overlay District, except for sections 17.6.1-6.3 (the sections that relate to the amount of impervious area allowed on individual lots). The board of commissioners will consider taking action on the proposed revisions at their August 28 meeting. For an updated copy of the proposed revisions, please see the text amendments webpage.
• Floodplain Regulations:  At the August 7 board of commissioners meeting, Mecklenburg County staff will present on the proposed revisions to Davidson Planning Ordinance Section 18 Floodplain Overlay District. The county is responsible for administering the ordinance and is updating the standards to meet routine FEMA-mandated changes to the standards; continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program requires adoption of the updates by mid-November. For more information please see the text amendments webpage.

Contact Information

Welcome to our contact page, where you can find information about reaching the department or individual staff members. Please note:  The quickest way to schedule an appointment is by email or phone. If you leave a voicemail, we'll be sure to return your call within 24 hours.

• Email:  planning@townofdavidson.org. For general inquiries this is the quickest way to get an answer to your question. Questions received are routed to the staff member best equipped to respond with the information you need.
• Phone: 704-892-7592. Please be sure to leave a voicemail - this is the quickest way to get an answer to a question via phone. 
• Mailing Address:  216 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 579, Davidson, NC 28036.
• Staff Directory:  For contact information for each individual please see the Staff Directory

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions, responses, and links to resources.

1. Do I need an appointment to meet with a planner?  Yes, appointments are preferred. Please call (704 892-7592) or email (planning@townofdavidson.org) the Planning Department to schedule an appointment.

2. What is the zoning (planning area) of my property?  The Town of Davidson planning ordinance categorizes properties into planning areas. You may locate your property on the Davidson Planning Ordinance map and use the legend to determine the planning area for your property.

3. What types of permits are required? There are several types of permits required by the Town of Davidson. They are:

• Building Permit
• Sign Permit
• Zoning Use Permit
• Tree Permit
• Home Occupation Agreement

4. How do I get a permit reviewed?  Permit applications may be picked up at Davidson Town Hall, 216 South Main Street, or downloaded from the permit webpage. You may submit a permit either by bringing it to town hall or using the online permit submittal form. Town planners will review the permit application for compliance with the Town of Davidson Planning Ordinance. Upon approval and payment of the fee, the applicant must submit the permit to Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency for their review.

5. How much does a building/sign permit cost?  Fees associated with building and sign permits vary depending on the nature of the project. For more information on planning fees, please see our Fee Schedule.

6. How can I develop my property?  The Town of Davidson does not generally use density limits or standard setback requirements. Instead, we encourage designers and developers to consider the surrounding context and creatively address the constraints and opportunities on a site by site basis. Sections two and four of the Davidson Planning Ordinance provide a list of permitted uses and site design regulations per planning area. Refer to these sections first, and then contact a planner to set up an appointment to discuss your property further.

7. How do I determine the permitted uses for my property?  The description of each planning area and its permitted uses is outlined in section two of the Davidson planning ordinance. You may view section two and associated amendments in the Planning Ordinance. Refer to this section first, and then contact a planner to set up an appointment to discuss your property further.

8. What are the minimum required setbacks from my property line?  Design regulations, including building types, minimum required setbacks, and height restrictions are outlined in section two of the planning ordinance. Additional uses and regulations, including accessory structures, are described in section four of the planning ordinance. You may view sections four and two and their associated amendments at Planning Ordinance. If you have additional questions, please make an appointment to meet with a member of the planning department staff.

Quick Links

Below is a list of links to various websites that may be useful in understanding the town's approach to planning and its requirements. The list also includes various resources and organizations related to planning and development. 

1. Davidson Mobility Plan
2. American Planning Association North Carolina Chapter
3. American Planning Association
4. Centralina Council of Governments
5. Charlotte Area Transit System
6. Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Services
7. Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services
8. Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities
9. Charlotte Mecklenburg Water & Land Resources
10. Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization
11. Commercial Technical Assistance Center (CTAC)
12. Davidson Housing Coalition
13. Davidson Lands Conservancy
14. Duke Energy
15. Energy United
16. Historic Landmarks Commission
17. Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement
18. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation
19. Mi-Connection Mecklenburg - Iredell
20. New Urbanism
21. North Carolina Department of Transportation
22. PSNC Energy
23. Polaris for Mecklenburg County
24. Residential Technical Assistance Center (RTAC)
25. Scenic Byways
26. U.S. Census Bureau Fact Finder