Monday night representatives from the Carolina Panthers went before the Charlotte City Council to present a rezoning petition for upgrades they’re making to the team’s practice field off of Cedar Street.
According to the Panthers petition the associated uses of a practice facility include sporting events, festivals, and commercial operations. The development will include practice and training facilities, fieldhouse facilities, indoor seating for sports events and performances, up to 5,000 seats for outdoor uses, sports operations, reception facility uses, periodic outdoor markets, mobile food and retail vendor uses, public transit facility uses to accommodate the future rail right-of-way.
During the hearing the team presenting renderings of what the upgrades are expected to look like once completed.
There was a local resident who expressed concern about the Panthers’ plans and the potential impact on the aesthetics and property value in the area.
“No one in the community was ok with this,” Leslie Clark said. “It really is an eye sore where it is,” Clark continued. “If you’ve walked down Cedar Street and seen that city skyline view, it is a beautiful view and this will take away from that. It’s going to take away from the community. It’s going to take away from the city.”
Councilman Malcolm Graham, who represents district two, says the city is still working with the team to resolve community concerns.
“We will continue to work to resolve outstanding issues. We understand that there’s more and we will convene at one more meeting before this comes back for a final vote to talk about a wide variety of issues that were mentioned tonight and others that were noted.”
The zoning committee has recommended approval of the team’s request. City Council will vote on the petition within the next 30 days.