CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  Charlotte planners and leaders have a grand vision on what the Queen City will look like in 20 years. It’s called the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. 

What You Need To Know

  • One part of Charlotte’s 2040 comprehensive plan is to create 10-minute neighborhoods

  • This would allow residents to have access to essential amenities, goods and services within a 10-minute walk, bike or transit trip

  • The Charlotte neighborhood of Plaza Midwood is often used as an example of a 10-minute neighborhood

One part of the plan calls for more walkability and accessibility in neighborhoods across the area.

Press Miller moved to Charlotte 15 years ago. It’s where he met his wife, and they had their 17-month-old daughter, Quinn.

“I am a convert and became a Panthers fan,” Miller said. “I gave up my Atlanta Falcons, it’s all pretty good.”

What he really fell in love with is the Charlotte neighborhood he lives in known as Plaza Midwood. He said he can bike to the grocery store and other places within 10 minutes. It’s so convenient, he has made biking his source of transportation and his family downsized to one car.

“I have made this beautiful contraption, which is the cargo bike,” Miller said as he showed off his bike. “I can bring the kid and get my groceries.”

Miller loves the accessibility of his neighborhood and thinks other areas in Charlotte should be this easy. It’s why he supports Charlotte’s 2040 plan for 10-minute neighborhoods. The city’s goal is to make essential amenities, like a library, grocery store or a school all within a 10-minute walk, bike ride or a public transit trip.

“I lived in other parts of the city where there weren’t any grocery stores close by,” Miller said. “I was on the west side of the city for a while and there wasn’t much to bike to.”

Miller says he also supports 10-minute neighborhoods because it could cut down on driving and traffic.