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

April 2019

Hello Davidson Community Members,

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. Mobility Plan:  The Town of Davidson has completed the draft of the Davidson Mobility Plan, a community-driven effort to look at innovative transportation solutions, projects, policies, and programs to help residents move around town in the coming years. The public comment period for the draft plan closed in March. Currently, the project team and Mobility Plan Committee are consolidating the public comments and making additional edits prior to the draft plan’s review by the Planning Board and Livability Board early this summer. You can view the draft plan and find additional information at www.davidsonmobilityplan.com.

2. Comprehensive Plan:  Thanks to all that participated in the April Workshop, Shaping What’s Next, from April 1-3! Participants engaged in a variety of exercises, discussions, and meetings to provide feedback on a number of topics ranging from open space and historic preservation to affordable housing and design. Couldn’t make it? All the documents are posted on the What’s Next website, which contains a host of information about the process underway, including FAQs, news, and background documents.

3. Development Proposals:  

• Summers Walk Phase 6:  A master plan application was submitted and proposes to place 40 townhomes and one single-family detached house along or adjacent to Summers Walk Boulevard at its entrance near the intersection of Summers Walk Boulevard and NC 73. A Public Input Session was held Thursday, March 14, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Summers Walk Clubhouse, and a summary of the meeting is available online. Additionally, the Planning Board reviewed the proposal and provided comments at their March and April meetings. For more information, please see the project website.
• Potts Street Residential:  A master plan application was submitted in May 2017 and currently proposes 250 apartments adjacent to Potts St. near its intersection with NC 115/Main Street. A lawsuit was filed by Davidson Acquisition Company, LLC and Crescent Communities, LLC in October 2018. The court ordered that town fulfill the project’s outstanding process requirements as soon as possible. This includes receiving comments from the Planning Board (Monday, April 29, and Monday, May 20, 2019) and holding a Public Input Session (scheduled for Thursday, May 2, 2019). For more information, please see the project website.

4. Text Amendments:  At the direction of the Davidson Board of Commissioners, proposed text amendments are currently under development by the board of commissioners, staff, and the Planning Board/Livability Board:

• Davidson Planning Ordinance Section 9, Tree Preservation, Landscaping, & Screening:  This section of the ordinance deals with the preservation and cultivation of a mature, healthy tree canopy and natural landscape throughout town. The board of commissioners included revisions of this ordinance as part of their 2018-2019 Strategic Plan passed last year. The preliminary results from the tree canopy study have been received and the Davidson Board of Commissioners will receive an update on these results at their May 14, 2019 work session. Concurrently, staff continues to work with Planning and Livability Board members to draft revised ordinance text.

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