Frustrated with traffic in Charlotte? Here’s how you can help change it.

Frustrated with traffic? Can’t believe they’re building that in your neighborhood? Now’s your chance to share how you think Charlotte should grow.

As part of its plan to rewrite Charlotte’s outdated zoning and development regulations, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department is holding a half-day “summit” on Mar. 24.

Called “What Can UDO” (a play on the acronym for Unified Development Ordinance, the city’s goal at the end of this process), the event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at UNC Charlotte’s uptown campus on Ninth Street.

If you haven’t been following the zoning code overhaul, here’s a quick recap: Starting in 2013, Charlotte began reviewing its regulations around development and land use, which date to the early 1990s. Other codes, like those around sidewalks, trees and stormwater, overlap and sometimes conflict with the nearly 1,000-page-long zoning rules. All of it results in a confusing process that developers complain about and residents are often mystified when they encounter.

Charlotte hopes to simplify that process and adopt a new set of clear, easy-to-understand rules, rich with visuals and graphics. The plan is to adopt the new rules by June 2020.

At the March summit, planning staff will gather feedback about how people want to see Charlotte grow. They’ll also hold interactive workshops to generate ideas and test concepts.

The event comes with a continental breakfast and boxed lunch. You can find a full schedule and a link to register online at www.charlotteudo.org.

This story was originally published February 26, 2018 at 7:30 AM with the headline "Frustrated with traffic in Charlotte? Here’s how you can help change it.."