CHARLOTTE, N.C. — DreamKey Partners is moving forward with plans to expand affordable housing options in north Charlotte after the City Council approved a rezoning petition allowing additional residential uses along Samuel Street.
The nonprofit developer requested to rezone roughly 2.27 acres at the northeast corner of Samuel Street and Newland Road from Urban Residential-2 (conditional) to Neighborhood 2-B, a move that permits a wider range of neighborhood-scale housing. The site, located west of Statesville Avenue and near Interstate 77, is currently vacant but previously entitled for 80 multifamily units.
City planning staff and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission’s Zoning Committee both recommended approval, citing consistency with the city’s 2040 Policy Map and the area’s existing mix of multifamily, institutional, and residential uses. The site sits within a quarter-mile of a designated activity center on Statesville Avenue and along two CATS bus routes connecting to the LYNX Blue Line.
Current zoning shows diverse land uses surrounding the site (Photo: City of Charlotte)
Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield said the city values partnerships with mission-driven developers like DreamKey Partners “to create affordable housing that strengthens neighborhoods without displacing longtime residents.”
She added that affordability requirements for city-supported projects are enforced for the duration of each agreement, often lasting up to 99 years.
The rezoning supports Charlotte’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan goals for “10-minute neighborhoods” and “neighborhood diversity and inclusion,” which encourage mixed housing types near transit and employment centers. It also aligns with DreamKey’s ongoing efforts to increase long-term affordability and homeownership access through projects such as Aveline at Newell Townhomes and the Weddington Road Apartments.
Northwest view of the vacant site at Samuel Street and Newland Road, currently zoned for multi-family development (Photo: City of Charlotte)
Not all nearby residents are on board.
“We already deal with traffic and parking issues on Samuel Street,” Marcus Reed, a neighbor, said. “Adding more housing without addressing those problems first could make things worse for people who live here now.”
No opposition was recorded during the public hearing, and city staff noted the project complies with transportation, water, and sewer infrastructure standards. The property’s proximity to transit and existing amenities made it a “logical infill opportunity,” staff concluded in its report.
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