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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Charlotte leaders consider regulation changes for street vendors
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte leaders discussed the ongoing conflict between traditional business owners and street vendors at Monday's Housing, Safety and Community Committee meeting. In the NoDa neighborhood, brick-and-mortar businesses expressed concerns as well as problems with lack of personal safety amid the ongoing 'turf war' between them and vendors. They also added that vendors were causing sidewalk and street obstruction. During a city council meeting on May 28, business owners spoke out against vendors, calling them a nuisance. But this is an issue that has been going on for years. While Monday's meeting was only informational, city leaders pitched possible solutions, including having a designated area for vendors, expanding permits to all vendors, and possibly raising the cost of fines. Committee members expressed support for requiring all vendors to have permits across Charlotte. 'I would recommend the permit be required everywhere just from a health and safety perspective. You can't have people cooking on the sidewalk, and there's no standard,' said Councilwoman Renee Johnson. Currently, street vendors are legal without a permit city-wide outside of the Congested Business District, except those in the Tryon Street Mall Vendor Program. Those vendors do require a permit. It's $160 a year to join the street vendor program. Many of the business owners who attended Monday's meeting voiced support for vendors to have a specific space to avoid taking up space on the narrow sidewalks of NoDa. Violations of the city's street-vending ordinance result in fines ranging from $10-$50. Nationally, Charlotte ranks among the cities with the lowest maximum fines. Committee members expressed support for raising the cost of fines to meet the standard of other major cities. So how soon could these changes be implemented? There are two City Council business meetings in June before the council takes a break in July. Councilwoman Victoria Watlington made a motion for staff to work on escalating fines up to $500 and a tracking system for those who are repeat offenders, and those who have a permit. Also, Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera made a motion for staff to develop a pilot program that addresses the concerns made by council members and business owners to be implemented 'as soon as possible.' Both motions passed unanimously. Staff will provide an update on when those changes will be implemented at the next business meeting. 'We want the community to know that we hear you,' Councilwoman Tiawana Brown said. 'And although we might not be able to move expeditiously on every subject that we get, this was one that warrants immediate attention because of safety and other concerns that the community has.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Charlotte city council votes to fund public art
Charlotte city council voted to distribute millions in art grants at a meeting on Monday. The vote to join the new arts and culture model was 8-2 with Councilmembers Victoria Watlington and Renee Johnson voting against the plan. The plan will distribute millions of dollars in art grants that will include Mecklenburg County, the Foundation for the Carolinas, and the group formerly known as the Arts and Science Council. READ: Asheville artists, Helene survivors create original work for Jumpman Invitational The plan was created in response to difficulties in the art community caused by funding and venue issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, the Foundation for the Carolinas and ASC called for $10 million in funding from the county and $11 million from the city. They also proposed a new Arts, Science and Cultural Council to govern arts funding. The Council would consist of seven county appointees, five city of Charlotte appointees, three foundation appointees, and two appointees from a new arts and science council grants board. READ: Arts, culture come together at Black-owned winery The two groups finalized their partnership in September, but a final decision on the funds was delayed by the dissent in the council. Council members voiced concerns about fairly structuring the new board, giving the city enough control over city money, supporting equity and diversity in arts, and collecting administrative fees. But county commissioners began making appointments to the new Arts, Science and Cultural Council in November. WATCH: Arts, culture come together at Black-owned winery
