City Council approves rezoning for Charlotte Animal Care & Control satellite facility

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A facility to help alleviate overcrowding at the city's animal shelter was unanimously approved Monday night.

The new Charlotte Animal Care & Control satellite shelter will be located on 7 acres along South Tryon Street near the Jeff Adams Tennis Center. It had to be rezoned from Neighborhood to a General Commercial designation to be approved.

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police operates Animal Care & Control, a division under fire for frequently being over-capacity and making subsequent requests to adopt its animals before they have to be euthanized.

Councilwoman Tiawana Brown, who represents the area, acknowledged the department's pressures and says this is only a starting point.

"There's a whole lot more than can be done," she said, noting some neighbors did not approve of the facility. "I would like to see the animal shelter separate from CMPD. That's another story for another day. CMPD has their own issues without having forward about the four-legged creatures."

Mayor Pro Tem Dante Anderson noted that more satellite shelters may be proposed down the road.

"This will be an excellent litmus test to see how we can support overcrowding of the animal shelter and if we get this right and get this model right, then we can replicate it in other areas throughout the city," she said. "I know Dr. (Josh) Fisher and his staff are very happy about that."

An environmental study was required since a gas station formerly occupied the site, but no harmful materials were identified. City staff also approved of the rezoning.

City leaders did not say at the meeting when construction would begin.