Upcoming Raleigh Events
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
City Council Work Session – canceled
City Council Work Session – canceled
City Council Public Comment Session – canceled
City Council Public Comment Session – canceled
Mayor’s Committee for Persons With Disabilities Meeting
Mayor’s Committee for Persons With Disabilities Meeting
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting: Louisburg Road Assemblage
Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting: Louisburg Road Assemblage
Raleigh Convention Center Expansion Meeting
Raleigh Convention Center Expansion Meeting
Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting: 326 Chapanoke Road
Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting: 326 Chapanoke Road
Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting — 200 S. West Street
Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting — 200 S. West Street
Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting: 9308 Fairbanks Drive
Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting: 9308 Fairbanks Drive
SECAC (Southeast CAC) community meeting
SECAC (Southeast CAC) community meeting
Hillsborough Street Virtual Town Hall
Hillsborough Street Virtual Town Hall
District D Neighborhood Alliance (DDNA) meeting
District D Neighborhood Alliance (DDNA) meeting
Read up on our latest news…
Raleigh should transition to full-time councilors
On May 7th of this year City Council voted to switch to 4-year staggered terms without putting the issue on the ballot for voters to decide, effectively buffering city council from the corrective action of Raleigh residents’ voting power. While I have heard and respect the arguments in favor of 4-year terms, it should be voted on by residents.
How Raleigh’s Changes to “By-Right” Zoning Rules Affect Engagement and Trust
No one wants to be told their street is going to transform in the next five years, and there’s no way for them to even voice their thoughts and concerns. This pattern of transformation is going to take place, how we guide it is what’s most important. By adapting the zoning code to ensure that everyone comes together, working for the MUTUAL benefit of our city and its housing supply is not some far fetched ambition, but should be the baseline; the bare minimum respect shown to Raleigh’s amazing people. Transparency and working together is what is needed for beneficial growth. It is what the people of our city want.
Council Candidates Melton, Silver & Branch Lead the Race for Developer Cash
In the race for the top developer donations, Raleigh City Council candidates Jonathan Melton, Mitchell Silver or Corey Branch, are the clear developer favorites. Livable Raleigh’s analysis of NC Campaign Finance Reports show that more than 50% of these candidates’ donations – over $88,000 for Melton and $72,000 for Silver – came from development industry donors alone, with many individuals giving the maximum $6,400. One thing is certain: developers don’t hand out thousands of dollars in donations unless they expect serious payback. And sadly, it shows.
Two Years Later, Voters Say Things Are Worse Not Better
Livable Raleigh’s new 2024 citywide poll of registered Raleigh voters conducted by nationally recognized professional polling firm Public Policy Polling was published Tuesday, July 23. You can read our press release here: Voter confidence falls
There are some disturbing trends highlighted in the results in 2024 as compared to 2022. Here we compare 5 questions that were asked in 2022 and asked again in 2024:
Why Leadership Comes From Experience, Not Elected Office
True leadership is demonstrated in how you engage with others, how you advocate for the voiceless, and how you stand up for what is right, regardless of whether or not you hold a formal title. As citizens, we deserve leaders who have built these qualities before ever stepping into public office. Leadership is not granted by a vote, it is earned by a lifetime of service.
Councilors Melton and Forte stole your vote
When you go to the polls to vote this year, you may notice something missing from your ballot. You were supposed to be able to vote on whether Raleigh City Council terms should be changed from two-year to four-year terms. But, Council Members Melton and Forte took that choice away from you.
Will the New Council Fix our Crappy Missing Middle Infill Rules and End the Lawsuits?
Livable Raleigh and other proponents of Missing Middle best practices have lobbied Council for years to engage in a community conversation toward adopting Missing Middle infill improvements on the books in other peer cities that actually promote affordability, compatibility and walkable transit access. The latest, and perhaps best rules so far, have been adopted by Sacramento, CA.
Character Fail
To date, Councilors Melton, Branch and Forte have offered no public apology or explanation for their secret decision to give themselves an extra year in office without any public notice, public comment, or public vote.
INDY Week’s Best of the Triangle 2024
Vote for Livable Raleigh as Best Local Activist Group in the Triangle
Will Council Put Parking Lots Before People?
Council is being asked to legalize an illegal parking lot at 2601 Vanderbilt Ave near NC State. The applicant says the parking lot rezoning (Z-33-24) is a minor change, but in the big picture of West Raleigh’s sustainable growth, putting parking lots before people is a giant step backwards that will only legitimize more parking lots to come.
Fix This NOW!
Homeowners being sued by a builder in Woodcrest. This lawsuit is made possible by the City Council which allows major developments without neighborhood input or process and rezoned the missing middle without providing protections in established neighborhoods.
Red Hat – are Councilors performing their liaison duties?
How is it that the pre-determined outcome of the re-location of the Red Hat Amphitheater took the City Council by surprise and left them with little to no time for public engagement or a deeper discussion of alternatives for where or how the venue could be kept downtown without closing South St? When you realize councilors Melton and Branch are both liaisons to the Convention Center and it was their JOB to know what was going on. Are they liaisons or just lazy?
Show Me the Money – 2024 Campaign Funding – UPDATED
A large majority of what the City Councilors are responsible for are decisions related to development. These are the candidates that the development industry is supporting. It’s up to you to decide how you want to factor this information into your voting decision.
Save Raleigh’s Historic Overlay Districts!
Raleigh’s historic overlay districts are special treasures of our City. They comprise only one percent of Raleigh’s land area, but their impact is much larger. We do not need to destroy them to solve our housing shortage. We should instead preserve these treasures for our citizens, our visitors, our children, and our grandchildren.
City Council Meeting 10.15.24
Highlights from October 14 Work Session and Afternoon Session
So Close, Yet so Far: Disconnection In a Connected World
There’s an unmistakable longing among teens and young adults today. It’s not just a want—it’s a need. People are craving a place where they can just be—somewhere that isn’t home, school, or work. A space to meet friends, make connections, and feel part of something. But those places, those third spaces, are becoming harder to find.
Show Me the Money – 2024 City Council Campaign Funding
This chart shows you the contributions made to the candidates for this election cycle through June 30, 2024. There will be MUCH MORE money poured into these campaigns before election day. But, you will have to wait to see that data. We are currently analyzing it from the most recent reports that were filed by the candidates on Oct 1, 2024.
FairChance works to remediate poverty
Fairchance affords impoverished candidates a pathway to their dreams and a roadmap on how to get there, from a mission to setting goals, and a budget. Candidates become “empowered” as they witness miracles transpire before their eyes, including the discovery of themselves and their abilities.
October 8 City Council Work Session & Public Comment Session
Highlights from October 8 2024 Work Session and Public Comment session
Missing in Action on the Missing Middle
The previous Raleigh City Council spent zero amount of time discussing the unintended consequences of their major change to zoning practices which they characterized as mere “text changes.” Now the current council is MIA by failing to address these serious consequences for which several neighborhoods have presented evidence.