NEWS

Comments from citizens are welcomed and encouraged by Board, Mayor, and Town Staff

At the regular meeting of the town board on August 27, the town manager and board engaged in an extensive presentation and discussion related to a draft resolution in support of legislation authorizing a referendum that would allow Mecklenburg County voters to determine whether they would support an additional one cent sales tax to be invested in roadway and public transportation systems.

At the end of the presentation and discussion, the board voted to amend the rules of procedure to allow a public comment session related to the proposed action at the regular meeting on September 10. The staff and board expressed their belief that the complex issues surrounding the proposed transportation plans and the sales tax referendum are extremely important and consequential. Board members stressed that they want to make sure that the public has an opportunity to make their views known.

What is at stake, and what is driving the proposed legislation, is what several of the board members called a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to create the “Red Line” commuter transit service that would connect the Charlotte Gateway Station to Davidson and other towns in North Mecklenburg. It would also add an unprecedented infusion of dollars to be allocated to local road projects.

According to the CATS website, the Red Line would “provide a direct connection to the Charlotte Gateway Station and the surrounding entertainment district including the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Knights, and Charlotte Football Club. The Gateway Station would also provide connection to the Silver Line Light Rail, the Gold Line Streetcar, Amtrak, and intercity and local bus services.”

A change of fate occurred when Norfolk Southern recently reconsidered a long-standing barrier to using the O-Line corridor for passenger rail. In the summer of 2023, Norfolk Southern, the owner of the O-Line single track rail line that runs through Charlotte and continues north, relented on a decade old company policy that prohibited sharing the O-Line for passenger rail use. Suddenly, the O-Line was potentially in play, and the Red Line was again a possibility. Charlotte began negotiations to purchase the sections of the O-Line needed for the Red Line design from Norfolk Southern for $91 million.

At the August 27 meeting, Davidson’s Town Manager, Jamie Justice, laid out the history and details that have led the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the five participating towns of Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, Mint Hill, and Pineville to draft the joint resolution and draft legislation. Justice began with the overarching idea that the Charlotte region continues to grow and expand, and that the region must address infrastructure and transit needs created by that growth.

Justice described the extensive work undertaken by the managers of Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, Cornelius, Huntersville, Matthews, Pineville and Mint Hill to craft the language for a joint resolution in support of the referendum for a one cent sales tax increase to send to the state legislature. The North Carolina legislature must authorize the proposed county-wide sales-tax referendum before it can be placed on the ballot.

If the legislation proposed by Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the five towns is approved by the state legislature, it would allow the citizens of Mecklenburg County to decide by referendum whether they will authorize an additional one cent sales tax for investment in roadway and public transportation systems. The enabling legislation would also establish a new regional transit authority to oversee the spending. The Town of Davidson would have a seat on that new body.

There is currently a half-cent sales tax for transit in Mecklenburg County. If the proposed transit tax referendum passes, the half-cent tax would remain, and there would be a one-cent increase to the sales tax for roadway and transit. In a detailed portion of his presentation related to allocation of monies, Justice explained that the one cent tax increase would be allocated as follows: 60% would be allocated to transit (to be further divided between rail and bus), and 40% would be allocated to roadway improvement projects within the town. Justice’s full presentation can be accessed here.

Justice estimates that Davidson would receive $3.125 million for roadway projects in the first year. He added that the impact of that level of roadway money, just in the first year, and continuing to grow along with the economy, would be game changing.

In Charlotte, and in the other towns joining in the resolution, related votes are also moving forward. On Tuesday, September 3, the Charlotte City Council voted 10-1 to ask the N.C. General Assembly for permission to put a transit sales tax referendum on the 2025 ballot. At that same meeting, the council also voted to purchase the O-line train tracks from Norfolk Southern for $91 million with the intention to run the Red Line commuter rail from the Gateway Station in Charlotte to the northern edge of Mecklenburg County. On August 19, Cornelius voted to approve the joint resolution supporting the sales tax referendum.

Excitement and Concerns Voiced by Commissioners at August 27 meeting

After the Town Manager’s presentation and comments, the Mayor and Commissioners engaged in a detailed discussion to share their individual positions related to the joint resolution, the potential impacts of the Red Line on the town and its residents, and the possibilities for uses of the additional road monies within Davidson.

Commissioners Steve Justus, Tracy Mattison Brandon, and Ryan Fay; Mayor Pro Tem Autumn Rierson Michael; and Mayor Rusty Knox were present at the meeting. In an unusual development, there is no video or audio recording available for the August 27 meeting, but the agenda and meeting documents are available for review here.

Mayor Knox recounted the long history of efforts in the North Mecklenburg towns with respect to the Red Line, and how close it seemed several times to becoming a reality. Knox shared that this moment feels like a generational opportunity, that if missed, will not come again in most of our lifetimes. Mayor Knox also expressed his hope that the proposed plan for the Red Line would continue past Davidson and the Mecklenburg County line, connecting Mooresville and Iredell County as well, with a northern terminus at Mt. Mourne.

Board members expressed optimism and excitement, but also noted concerns over impacts to residents. Commissioner Brandon expressed the importance of listening to residents who live and work in areas that would be most impacted by the undertaking of a major rail project through the center of town, and considering ways to remediate or alleviate problems related to noise, safety, pollution, and other potential impacts. Mayor Pro Tem Michael expressed excitement about the possibilities for connectivity and positive economic benefits, but agreed that enthusiasm should be tempered with serious attention to the real concerns about negative impacts on individual residents and neighborhoods.

During the general public comment period offered at the beginning of the regular meeting, Doug Hicks, a resident of Davidson and the president of Davidson College, spoke in favor of the proposed legislation and referendum. Hicks stated that extending the Red Line to Davidson would be beneficial for Davidson residents, Davidson College, and Davidson College students. He said there has long been an expressed desire for people to come into Davidson for sports, arts, restaurants, and speakers. He also shared that students at Davidson College have expressed interest in being able to travel to Charlotte and neighboring towns, while also reducing reliance on cars.

How to Share Your Views with the Town Board

The board will be asked to vote on whether to approve the joint resolution at the September 10 board meeting. Because of the importance and complexity of this issue, town staff recommended that the town board amend the rules of procedure to allow a public comment period on the matter prior to board action.

While a public comment period is not statutorily required for this specific action, the town board may add a public comment period on their own initiative to give citizens an opportunity to make their views known to the board on a particularly important issue. The board and staff agreed that the draft legislation to seek authorization for a sales-tax referendum, coupled with the potential impacts of public rail transit and town roadway projects, merited the addition of an opportunity for public input.

Persons desiring to address the board during the public comment period on September 10 should add their names to the speaker sign-up sheet placed near the door. People who have signed up to speak will be allowed to speak for up to three minutes. Three minutes go quickly, so the most effective speakers usually bring a written prepared statement, and are keenly aware of the time limitations. Speakers are also encouraged to leave a copy of their written comments with the board for further review and consideration.

Additionally, public input can be sent via email to [email protected].

The September 10 meeting will be held at the Town Hall and Community Center Council Chamber at 251 South Street at 6:00 p.m. The agenda and supporting documents, when available, will be posted on the Town of Davidson website in the Agendas and Minutes section, here.