The Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association (PMNA), along with several other community organizations and adjacent neighbors, strongly opposed Rezoning Petition 2024-028 for a Valvoline oil change business at 3018 The Plaza.

We had grave concerns regarding the project’s impact on the community, the two biggest being: 1) The proposed location is already a busy and dangerous intersection that is a part of the High Injury Network. Adding an oil change business would significantly increase the number of cars and traffic congestion in the area. 2) There is a negative environmental impact from an oil change business. Improper disposal of oil and other hazardous materials could contaminate the soil and water in the area, posing a threat to our health and the environment. Instead, we would like to see alternative developments that would benefit our community, such as local restaurants, bars, shops, markets, healthcare providers or places to live.

The community met with Mayor Pro Tem Anderson in May 2024 and wrote opposition letters to City Council shortly thereafter.  After reaching out to the Rezoning Planner multiple times throughout the summer and fall and checking the rezoning website often, in October 2024 a neighbor noticed the status on the rezoning website changed to petition being "withdrawn." Did Valvoline withdraw and we won?  No.  The City changed the approved UDO and removed the conditional rezoning requirement for vehicle repair facilities.

UDO, as originally adopted, required conditional rezonings for this property type and that's why the rezoning was filed. During this process, per the City, there were potential legal challenges to this requirement, so the City and Council proactively amended the UDO to remove this particular rezoning requirement. Once they removed the requirement, the property owner withdrew their rezoning petition since it was now no longer required.

These changes occurred under text amendment 2024-033.  The amendment was presented in May 2024 and approved in June 2024, during the time we were communicating with the City about our opposition and being told to keep checking the website for the hearing date.  Our City Council voted for the amendment even though a Valvoline, bringing substantially more cars to the area, goes against:

1. The City of Charlotte’s Strategic Mobility Plan that includes establishing a 50-50 mode share.
2. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan’s Goal 5: Safe and Equitable Mobility which details a policy to increase mode share of walking, biking, transit and shared/micro mobility.
3. The City of Charlotte’s Vision Zero Action Plan for safer streets.
4. The City of Charlotte’s Shamrock Drive Complete Street and Matheson Avenue Street Conversion projects. Both projects have goals to improve safety by calming traffic and reducing vehicle speeds while providing safe travel for pedestrians and cyclists.

PMNA has investigated a few ways to move forward and the best option is community engagement!  Please sign the petition to show your opposition of this project and the new UDO amendment.  Thanks!