Charlotte’s City Council transportation committee plans to vote on updates to the city’s plan to electrify buildings and transportation while improving energy efficiency.
At a meeting on Monday, the city sustainability office has proposed some projects that may cost a lot upfront — but save money in the long run. Committee chair Ed Driggs asked the office to assess the demand for some solutions first.
"What is the extent of adoption of electric vehicles? How many are there actually? And let’s not get too far out in front. Reminds me of my good friend and former colleague Braxton Winston who was trying to eliminate drive-throughs while there's still a lot of cars out there wanting to use them," he said.
Burning fossil fuels reduces air quality and warms the planet. The new plan identified extreme heat and severe storms as the main climate threats to Charlotte residents.
The city will host a final public event to review the plan Thursday at the Belmont Regional Center.
Also Monday, a council committee is considering strengthening the city’s housing code. Staff members yesterday presented recommendations such as a pilot program for mold testing, requiring air conditioning in all residences, and using more legal resources to mandate repairs.
City Council member Lawana Mayfield said she wants to see a tougher housing code to protect tenants, but that she’s wary of city programs that cover the cost of repairs for negligent landlords without penalizing them.
"But we also do not want to keep setting up this precedent that you get to be a bad business owner and then go local government is gonna come in and bail you out and you get to walk away with a check or you get you get a chance to walk away scot-free," she said.
City Council will consider the proposed changes at a future meeting.