Charlotte Moves to Rezone 385 Acres for Industrial Use

Charlotte Douglas International Airport may be laying the groundwork for a massive industrial park just south of its runways.

The city of Charlotte filed a rezoning request last week to allow nearly 385 acres below West Boulevard to be used for manufacturing and logistics facilities, according to city records. The Charlotte Observer reported that the land, which is currently vacant and wooded, is owned by the city and zoned for residential development. The proposed change would shift it to a designation that permits heavy industrial uses.

The move is the latest sign that the airport is continuing to align surrounding land with its long-term growth plans, even as nearby residents brace for further disruption. Neither city officials nor airport representatives responded to requests for comment from the publication, which first reported the filing. But previous airport planning documents envisioned the area as part of a logistics and distribution hub tied to Charlotte’s highways, rail lines and air cargo operations.

The rezoning area sits across from the Steeleberry Acres neighborhood and is bordered by West Boulevard, I-485, Shopton Road and Steele Creek Road. It spans roughly 165 parcels, including several historic properties that have already become flashpoints between residents and the airport.

Last year, the airport demolished the Steele Creek Presbyterian Manse, drawing backlash from preservation advocates. A demolition permit was filed in June for the William Grier House, while the city purchased the nearby Spratt-Grier Farmhouse in July. The fate of that property remains unclear. Airport officials have previously said preservation is not part of their mandate.

What is clear is the airport’s economic clout. Charlotte Douglas ranks as the world’s sixth-busiest airport for takeoffs and landings and serves as American Airlines’ second-largest hub. Airport activity contributed roughly $40 billion to the Carolinas’ economy in 2023, according to city figures, making it a political and economic heavyweight when land use questions arise.

The proposed rezoning overlaps with the airport’s South Development District, an airport-led initiative outlined in a 2017 growth plan. That district calls for a mix of manufacturing, industrial, office and commercial development aimed at strengthening west Charlotte’s employment base. Renderings tied to the plan show development encroaching on Steeleberry Acres, though residents are not mentioned in the planning documents. The plan explicitly states that property acquisition and demolition would be required, the outlet reported.

The city already owns more than 330 parcels south of the airport and continues to buy more. Its most recent purchase was a Steeleberry Acres home on Douglas Drive for $347,000 in December. Residents have argued that the steady acquisitions are hollowing out their neighborhood, according to the publication.

The rezoning request is still in its early stages and will trigger community meetings, a rezoning board review and a City Council vote.

— Eric Weilbacher