East Inner
East Middle & Outer
North Inner
North Middle & Outer
Northeast Inner
Northeast Middle & Outer
South Inner
South Middle
South Outer
Southwest Middle
Southwest Outer
West Inner
West Middle
West Outer

South Outer

Table of Contents

Implementation

This section includes two parts: the Implementation Guide and the Illustrative Concepts. The Implementation Guide, which is not adopted policy, helps staff ensure that public and private development aligns with the defined vision for the South Outer area, while the Illustrative Concepts provide a visualization for how areas recommended for change may evolve over time, including how existing conditions, policies, and regulations influence development and redevelopment.

Implementation Guide

Achieving the vision outlined in this plan will occur incrementally over time through the combined efforts of local government, private property owners, residents, developers, and many others. Local government will guide change, oversee progress, and improve some infrastructure to support the CAP plans. Developers and property owners may invest in their local area when the time is right. Neighborhoods can use the Neighborhood Toolkit, which includes over 40 programs and resources to help meet their needs and reach their goals.

View the Neighborhood Toolkit
An infographic illustrating the "Charlotte Future 2040 Community Area Planning" concept. The center features a circular badge depicting a map outline, surrounded by four labeled sections: "Capital Improvements," "Future Development/Zoning," "Public/Private Partnerships," and "Alignment Rezonings." Arrows connect these sections to the center.

The assessments and recommended policies included in the Community Area Plans provide guidance to decision-makers for future development and redevelopment and promote equitable growth at the community level. While the plans are adopted and recognized by City Council and other decision-making bodies, the recommended policies are not required by law.

The Implementation Guide is a staff document that outlines specific strategies across the key topical components of the CAP Plans: Creating Complete Communities, Mobility, Open Space, Environmental Justice, Community Character, and Public Services & Facilities. The Guide incorporates implementation details for various partners, assigns responsibilities to lead agencies, and suggests timeframes for advancing the work. These actions do not imply a public or private commitment or secured funding. The Implementation Guide also includes more detail about the specific Strategic Investment Plan (SIA) project bundles and priorities that apply to the South Outer area.

View the Implementation Guide

Illustrative Concepts

As illustrated in the Creating Complete Communities chapter of this plan, some areas are recommended to evolve into new Place Types, predominantly from more auto-oriented and sprawling development patterns to more compact and walkable mixed-use Place Types. These strategic transitions will help to accommodate the city’s projected growth, to increase access, and to minimize environmental impacts. Change is expected to be incremental, occurring gradually over time. This means that new development will happen on a site-by-site basis. To illustrate how these areas might evolve, the following hypothetical concepts for two focus areas within South Outer feature the types of changes that are recommended in a visualized format to aid in broad understanding. These concepts are not an endorsement or guarantee of what will be built.

Map of a community planning area showing streets, parks, and water bodies. It includes focus area indicators marked with stars, with annotations for the South Outer section and geographic outlines.
Focus Area Location Map - Click to enlarge

Rea Road & Ardrey Kell Road

Existing development in the area is classified as Commercial, which is characterized by car-oriented destinations for retail, dining, and service uses, typically within low-rise buildings located along major streets or near interstates. The area is recommended to evolve into Community Activity Center, which is characterized by a mix of uses. These uses are set within mid-rise buildings in a pedestrian-oriented environment that is easily accessible to nearby neighborhoods. This Place Type change will add a greater mix of uses and density to the recommended area, as well as integrated mobility, open space, and placemaking upgrades.

Providence Road West & Johnston Road

Existing development in the area is classified as Commercial, which is characterized by car-oriented destinations for retail, dining, and service uses, typically within low-rise buildings located along major streets or near interstates. Over time, underutilized parking lots may be replaced with infill development. Mobility improvements, such as pedestrian connections to adjacent neighborhoods or across major roads, are encouraged to foster a “park once” environment and reduce reliance on vehicles. Additionally, the inclusion of open space amenities, such as public plazas and landscaping, is encouraged to enhance the public realm, making it more attractive and inviting.