SouthPark Talking Airport Noise, Taxes And Affordable Housing

CHARLOTTE, NC– SouthPark residents were talking about everything from airport noise to taxes and affordable housing at City Council Member Tariq Bokhair’s town hall meeting.

Some residents say they would support the $50 million bond for affordable housing. Although, Bokhari says he has not seen a plan that would for sure put a dent in the problem and inspire the private sector to put more money in to the issue.

Many homeowners there raised their hands to say they are okay with a one cent property tax hike to give police and firefighters pay raises. They say the raises should be even higher.

To see previous report on the City Manager’s budget proposal, click here.

Bokhair points out that SouthPark residents are responsible for 25 percent of the tax base but get less than two percent back.

“I’m still trying to dig into the history of the pay plan,” said Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson.

“I support our people getting more money,” said CMPD Chief Kerr Putney. “How much? That is is yet to be determined.”

NAACP Charlotte President Corine Mack argues the raises should be equal.

“You’re talking about firefighters who save lives every single day who actually aid police and save their lives versus police officers who have a horrible relationship with the black and brown community,” said Mack.

Chief Putney spoke about crime seen in SouthPark. He says the violent crime that rose this year there is aggravated assaults.

He answered questions about the crime growing over the weekend. He says his concern is that the suspects are young teenagers. He says they are resorting to gun violence to solve problems.

Chief Putney also spoke about rebuilding schools to make them more difficult for outsiders to enter and potentially do harm.

Traffic congestion also came up as a topic. Residents want to know if CMPD is doing anything to reduce speeding. Chief Putney says he is a fan of automating those type of patrols.

Another hot topic was airplane noise from new flight paths. A Charlotte Douglas Airport spokesperson says the FAA will argue that other neighborhoods have it worse than SouthPark. He says SouthPark does not meet the FAA’s definition of significant noise impact.

He says the airport is working to hire a contractor to review the flight paths to make recommendations to the FAA if needed.

To see previous reports on airport noise, click here.

Residents are going to a round table discussion Tuesday at 6:00 pm to discuss the problem with an FAA spokesperson. That meeting is held at 5601 Wilkinson Blvd.

Bokhari even brought up the Panther’s new ownership deal. He asked residents if they would approve city council giving a new owner money in any capacity, and residents laughed. Most there raised their hands to agree that should never happen.