Innovative Affordable Housing Ideas
I understand that you have $23m dollars remaining in ARPA funds. I would urge you to consider allocating all or a majority to build more affordable housing. As you saw during this afternoon’s meeting, many approved public-private partnerships for affordable housing have had to come back to Council and ask for additional financing due to increased costs of land, loans and construction materials; thus depleting bond funding for future projects.
Questions about Shaw University’s Development Plans
There is an overabundance of 30-40 story rezonings in Raleigh at this point. Shaw doesn’t need that and I actually believe that there are many other issues contributing to Shaw’s issues. However, I think that it best to speak to the implications of losing the preserved buildings and the history of them as well as the environmental impacts. The concern is not just for Shaw University alumni and students but will affect the City of Raleigh residents as a whole.
The Dix Edge Study: Let’s Hope City Council Can Save It With Corrective Surgery
As it stands, the Dix study would do little more than say to developers, “Keep doing what you’re doing” and the city will help grease the wheels. We don’t need a study for that. The wheels are fully greased. What we do need, and fast, is a thoughtful revision of the study that puts the brakes on pernicious development while it puts in place – in the zoning code and related policies – a strong set of policies to insure that development will henceforth serve the broad public interest, and not just its investors.
Bob Mulder letter to council
Bob Mulder, former Chair of Raleigh's Planning Commission and a Raleigh real estate professional, sent the following letter to Raleigh City Council on February 7, 2023. We are publishing it here with his permission. To: Raleigh City Council Date: February 7, 2023 I've...
Missing Middle Mistakes
One of the former council members personally told several of us that Missing Middle would include mistakes. I asked how those mistakes would be fixed, since they would be buildings. He had no answer.
If It Matters, It Gets Measured
My request is simple: for the council to ask for a staff report on the affordability of the missing middle developments under administrative site review since the ordinance has been introduced in Raleigh. Please include both approved and in process developments.
FEBRUARY 21, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
HIGHLIGHTS Mayor Baldwin absent from both meetings Work Session provided detailed review about cost of providing City services during annexations Public comments centered on Affordable Housing, gentrification, police accountability, and racial justice Solid Waste...
Missing Middle Myths and other Filtering Fantasies
Frank Hielema points out problems and inequities in the application of the Missing Middle learned from attending Missing Middle “More Homes, More Choices” presentations.
City Council Budget Work Session – February 20, 2023
Highlights Mayor Baldwin absent and excused Significant gaps projected over the next five years as revenue growth projected to be less than expense growth Public Hearing on budget scheduled for June 3 Employment costs (salary and benefits) continue to rise...
Response to INDY Week – CACs are coming back
INDY Week published a story about the recent City Council decision allowing CACs access to meeting space in 5 specific city community centers. We respond with a few points of clarification. The highlighted statements are quotes from the INDY Week article.