HIGHLIGHTS
- Councilor Patton absent and excused
- Voted unanimously to appropriate $10,000 from Council Contingency to support the United Arts Council’s Annual Gala
- Voted unanimously to approve $492,231 from ARPA funds for Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc.
- Voted unanimously to approve staff recommendations to send 32 potential text changes to Growth & Natural Resources Committee for review. No committees will meet in April due to inter-city visit, but these are not considered urgent.
- Voted unanimously to authorize staff to draft revisions to Transit Overlay District Text Change
- Council asks Community Engagement Board to get feedback from the public about whether they want public comments to start at 6pm or 7pm during the second Tuesday of the month. There will be no overall maximum time limit set and each speaker will have a guaranteed three minutes. The public comment time at the afternoon session on the third Tuesday will remain unchanged.
- Unanimously authorized an additional $3,639,354 for the Walnut Creek Interceptor project
- Human Relations Chair Byron Laws presented annual work plan. Mayor Baldwin asked City Attorney to look into legalities of reparative justice issues. Chair Laws asked if City Attorney could also look at recommendations from Raleigh Demands Justice. Work plan approved unanimously with exception of reparations with that coming back for further discussion after City Attorney reports back.
- Amendments to Police Advisory Board Bylaws, mostly focused on membership and meetings protocols, approved unanimously.
- Dix Edge Area Study approved 5 to 2 with Councilors Jones and Black in opposition.
- Rezoning Z-43-22: 405 Clover Lane, both sides, east of Wake Forest Road (District C) – Mayor Pro Tem Branch’s motion to approve passes 6 to 1 with Councilor Black opposed.
- Rezoning Z-53b-22: S Wilmington Street, Water Works Street near the intersection of Water Works Street and Summit Avenue (District D) – Councilor Harrison’s motion to deny passes unanimously
- Rezoning Z-55-22: Johnson Street, on the south side of Johnson Street, between St. Marys Street and Boylan Avenue (District D) – Councilor Harrison’s motion to approve passes unanimously
- Rezoning Z-75-22: Edwards Mill Road, northwest side, approximately one quarter-mile from the intersection with Glen Eden Drive (District E) – applicant has asked for two-week deferral to address some issues around public safety and walkability – motion to defer approved unanimously
- No council committee meetings in April due to inter-city trip
- Rezoning Z-54-22: Peace and West Street (District D) – Voted unanimously in support of the recommendation that staff work with the developer to create a draft development agreement, and for Council to resume the public hearing on May 2, 2023 with a status update from staff at that time.
- District E Community meeting at Lake Lynn Community Center on April 5
- District C Community meeting moving from 4/15 to 4/29
- Mayor Baldwin moves to appoint City Manager as Interim City Clerk. No appointment will be made to role of City Treasurer. Approved unanimously
- Mayor Baldwin moves to appoint Dottie Kibler as Interim City Attorney. Approved unanimously.
- Draft Anti-harassment Ordinance – Required Second Reading – approved 6 to 1 with Councilor Black opposed
- Public comments focused on Missing Middle and Affordable Housing. Those speaking in support of Missing Middle seemed to think it will help with housing affordability but as currently written, it will not. Raleigh’s Missing Middle is about the housing form, not about the housing cost.
- Annual Action Plan – Fiscal Year 2023-2024 — will come back for Council action on May 2
- Rezoning Z-59-22: Shaw University, 17 properties generally located near the intersection of S. Blount Street and E. South Street (Districts C & D) — unanimously approved holding until May 2 to allow for further community conversations
- Rezoning Z-67-22: 7910 Skyland Ridge Parkway, at the northwest corner of the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Skyland Ridge Parkway (District E) — unanimously approved applicant request that this be held to amend conditions; will close the hearing, review as special item on April 18, and then reschedule public hearing in May
- Rezoning Z-72-21: Lake Wheeler Road, Mercury Street, Maywood Avenue, east of Lake Wheeler Road and west of S. Saunders Street (District D) — unanimously approved staff suggestion to defer to May 2 to clarify zoning conditions
- Rezoning Z-79-22: 6119 Corporate Ridge Road, 0 Hillsborough Street; on the west end of Corporate Ridge Road (District D) — approved unanimously
- Rezoning Z-87-22: Four properties on the northern half of the block bounded by W Davie, S Salisbury, W Cabarrus, and S McDowell Streets (District D) — unanimously approved deferral to April 18
- Southeast Special Area Study: Final Report and Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-12-21 — unanimously approved
AFTERNOON MEETING
Consent Agenda – details at end of document
- Approved unanimously except for C2 and C3 that were pulled by Councilor Jones so that the bond information could be explained by staff; subsequently unanimously approved. C2 closes a draw program or a bond anticipation note program that council approved in May 2021 for Raleigh Water. C3 is to start a new bond anticipation note draw program for Raleigh Water. It is essentially a refinancing.
Report and Recommendation of the Planning Commission
The following items are scheduled for public hearing at the City Council meeting on April 18, 2023 at 1:00pm:
- Text Change TC-1-23 — Stormwater Management Regulations
- Rezoning Z-41-22 — Old Milburnie Road (District B) (Held open from 03/21 meeting)
- Rezoning Z-69-22 — Auburn Knightdale Road (District C) (Held open from 03/21 meeting)
The following items are scheduled for public hearing at the City Council meeting on May 2, 2023 at 7:00pm:
- Rezoning Z-38-22 — 7640 Oak Hill Drive (District B) (Held open from 03/21 meeting)
- Rezoning Z-60-22: S Boylan Avenue and Hargett Street, northside of W Hargett between St Mary’s Street and Boylan Avenue (District D) – Planning Commission requesting 45-day extension; approved unanimously
- Rezoning TCZ-89-22: Louisburg Road, east side, at the intersection of Valley Stream Drive and Louisburg Road (District B) – May 2 public hearing recommended and approved unanimously
- Councilor Jones asked that in future staff provide notice of religious holidays so that public hearings aren’t scheduled to conflict with observances.
Special Items
- Rezoning Z-16-20: Hodge Road, south of the intersection of Poole Road and Hodge Road (District C) – applicant requested that this be held until April 18 when public hearing can be scheduled
- Appropriation from Council Contingency – United Arts Council – Mayor Pro Tem recused. Voted unanimously to appropriate $10,000 from Council Contingency to support the United Arts Council’s Annual Gala, or Big Night In for the Arts, which took place on March 9, 2023. Mayor Baldwin said it was her fault that the normal process wasn’t followed.
- Community Health Initiatives Phase Two Funding – Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc. – voted unanimously to approve $492,231
- Omnibus Text Change Program – Voted unanimously to approve staff recommendations to send 32 potential text changes to Growth & Natural Resources Committee for review. No committees will meet in April due to inter-city visit, but these are not considered urgent.
- Transit Overlay District – Clarifications – Text Change Authorization – voted unanimously to authorize staff to draft revisions. Councilor Harrison asked for information on why TOD would over-rule NCOD. Councilor Black seconded that and also asked for link to Text Change Engagement Portal.
- Agenda Format Revisions – Public Comment Period – City Council Meetings – Mayor suggests work session from 4 – 5:30pm with public comments starting at 6pm, but many council members want public comments to start at 7pm for consistency’s sake. Councilor Harrison suggests starting work session at 5pm with public comments at 7pm. Mayor Baldwin suggests putting this out for public comment with intention to initiate the change for June. No consensus about setting an overall maximum time limit, but guaranteeing each person three minutes. Will keep public comments at the same time during afternoon meeting on the third Tuesday.
Report and Recommendation of the City Manager
- Upper Walnut Creek Interceptor Project – Park Construction of NC, Inc. – Change Order Number One – unanimously authorized an additional $3,639,354 for the Walnut Creek Interceptor project
Report and Recommendation of the Human Relations Commission
- Annual Workplan presented by HRC Chair Byron Laws
- Mayor Baldwin asked City Attorney to look at reparative justice legalities. Chair Laws asks if City Attorney could also look at recommendations from Raleigh Demands Justice.
- Mayor asked HRC to also address inclusion for LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities and reflect that in the work plan language.
- Mayor asked HRC to work with others and be more creative in reaching out to the community.
- Councilors Jones and Black expressed appreciation for the work of the HRC volunteers.
- Councilor Black asks for work session on reparative justice. Mayor suggests that rather than work session, City Attorney investigate and report back by second meeting in May.
- Approved unanimously with exception of reparations with that coming back for further discussion.
Report and Recommendation of the Police Advisory Board
- Amendments to Board Bylaws, mostly focused on membership and meetings protocols, approved unanimously.
Public Hearings
- Dix Edge Area Study: Final Report and Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-1-22 – GNR Committee recommended removing urban corridor designation from Fayetteville Street and proposed FLUM amendment. Because this is a continuation of the public hearing, Mayor allows 3 minutes per side. Councilor Harrison moves to adopt the plan with one amendment regarding Fayetteville Street. Approved 5 to 2 with Councilors Jones and Black in opposition.
- Rezoning Z-43-22: 405 Clover Lane, both sides, east of Wake Forest Road (District C) – Mayor Pro Tem Branch’s motion to approve passes 6 to 1 with Councilor Black opposed.
- Rezoning Z-53b-22: S Wilmington Street, Water Works Street near the intersection of Water Works Street and Summit Avenue (District D) – Councilor Harrison’s motion to deny passes unanimously
- Rezoning Z-55-22: Johnson Street, on the south side of Johnson Street, between St. Marys Street and Boylan Avenue (District D) – Councilor Harrison’s motion to approve passes unanimously
- Rezoning Z-75-22: Edwards Mill Road, northwest side, approximately one quarter-mile from the intersection with Glen Eden Drive (District E) – applicant has asked for two-week deferral to address some issues around public safety and walkability – motion to defer approved unanimously
Report and Recommendation of the Growth and Natural Resources Committee
- Will be dealing with omnibus text changes at end of May
Report and Recommendation of the Safe, Vibrant and Healthy Community Committee
- Item 22-01 – Rezoning Z-54-22: Peace and West Street (District D) – Voted unanimously in support of the recommendation that staff work with the developer to create a draft development agreement, and for Council to resume the public hearing on May 2, 2023 with a status update from staff at that time.
Report and Recommendation of the Transportation and Transit Committee
- Item 22-01 – Pedestrian Safety & Walkability – Strategies and Techniques – voted unanimously to remove this item from the agenda and take no action
Report from the Mayor and Council
- Councilor Jones – District E Community meeting at Lake Lynn Community Center on April 5
- Mayor Pro-Tem Branch – Moving District C meeting from 4/15 to 4/29
- Councilor Black reminds us that April is “Earth Month” with lots of great events and asks if ACORNS unit can be moved out of RPD
- Councilor Melton supports moving ACORNS out of RPD
- Mayor Baldwin moves to appoint City Manager as Interim City Clerk. No appointment will be made to role of City Treasurer. Approved unanimously
- Mayor Baldwin moves to appoint Dottie Kibler as Interim City Attorney. Approved unanimously.
Report and Recommendation of the City Attorney
- Draft Anti-harassment Ordinance – Required Second Reading – approved 6 to 1 with Councilor Black opposed
EVENING MEETING
- Joint Hearing with the Raleigh Historic Development Commission – Historic Landmark Application for 2501 Glenwood Avenue – unanimously approved
Public Comments
- Mayor asks City Attorney to tell the public that they can’t speak on public hearing issues during public comment and asked that they be moved to the public hearing sign up
- Octavia Raney spoke about the need to protect neighborhoods from gentrification and that new development should conform to infill compatibility standards
- Woody Biggs spoke about Glenwood South and crime, including gun violence
- Ann Sun spoke requesting modifications to missing middle regulations because of negative impacts on her neighborhood and its failure to address affordable housing
- Jean Mosher spoke in opposition to missing middle because of negative impacts on neighborhoods and its failure to address affordable housing
- Chris Crew spoke on importance of historic preservation and citizen engagement
- Leon Cooke spoke on negative impacts of missing middle on Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing, increasing gentrification, and need for adequate infrastructure. Also expressed concern about lack of response from council members.
- Donna Bailey spoke on Mayor Baldwin’s behavior at a recent committee meeting
- Eugene Myrick spoke on issues in District C
- Matthew Brown spoke on negative impact of transit overlay districts on historic properties
- Joshua Bradley spoke on NCDOT clearing a homeless camp near Mayor Baldwin’s home and growing net loss of affordable housing
- Frank Hielema spoke in memory of his neighbor Eugene Brown, an architect, who was opposed to missing middle’s impact on neighborhoods. Asked for tax assistance to help older people stay in their homes.
- Thomas Barrie spoke in favor of missing middle
- Tim Niles spoke on Baldwin’s lack of adherence to the City’s code of conduct and on City’s failure to support LGBTQ+ community
- Nathan Spencer, WakeUp Wake County, spoke in support of missing middle, but open to continuous improvement. Also expressed concerns about renters.
- Cole McMullin spoke on budget priorities and community conversations – fund public services more rather than police and keep busses fare-free
- Kara Sanders spoke on trauma and on need for council to respond to speakers
- Adam Haller, a developer, spoke in support of missing middle
- Kim Underwood spoke on need for Affordable Housing and impact of missing middle leading to gentrification
- John Kitto spoke on unintended negative consequences of missing middle; requesting tweaks to text change
- Natalie Lew spoke on RDU’s negative impact on Umstead Park and Crabtree Creek
- Hwa Huang spoke on RDU’s negative impact on Umstead Park and Crabtree Creek
- Nicole Williams spoke on homelessness and sexual harassment and RPD
- Karen Rindge spoke in support of transit overlay districts, BRT, and missing middle
- Michael Stevenson spoke in support of missing middle
- Dave Phillips, Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors, spoke in support of missing middle
- Seth Hollar spoke in support of missing middle
- Kevin Scorsone, Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors, spoke in support of missing middle
- David Ulmer spoke in support of missing middle
- Hon. Brian K. Lewis spoke about his property in the ETJ and complained about receiving notices from the City
- Zainab Baloch spoke on problems with public hearing process and asked for creation of Muslim Affairs Board
Public Hearings
- Annual Action Plan – Fiscal Year 2023-2024 — will come back for Council action on May 2
- Rezoning Z-59-22: Shaw University, 17 properties generally located near the intersection of S. Blount Street and E. South Street (Districts C & D) — unanimously approved holding until May 2 to allow for further community conversations
- Rezoning Z-67-22: 7910 Skyland Ridge Parkway, at the northwest corner of the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Skyland Ridge Parkway (District E) — unanimously approved applicant request that this be held to amend conditions; will close the hearing, review as special item on April 18, and then reschedule public hearing in May
- Rezoning Z-72-21: Lake Wheeler Road, Mercury Street, Maywood Avenue, east of Lake Wheeler Road and west of S. Saunders Street (District D) — unanimously approved staff suggestion to defer to May 2 to clarify zoning conditions
- Rezoning Z-79-22: 6119 Corporate Ridge Road, 0 Hillsborough Street; on the west end of Corporate Ridge Road (District D) — approved unanimously
- Rezoning Z-87-22: Four properties on the northern half of the block bounded by W Davie, S Salisbury, W Cabarrus, and S McDowell Streets (District D) unanimously approved deferral to April 18
- Southeast Special Area Study: Final Report and Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-12-21 — unanimously approved
Consent Agenda
- Consent Agenda Process
- 2023 Revenue and Revenue Refunding Bonds – Combined Enterprise Systems Series – Refunding of 2021 Revenue Bond Anticipation Note, 2013 Bonds and 2008 Variable Rate Bonds
- Bond Anticipation Notes – Financing for Combined Enterprise Systems – Authorization to Issue
- Petition Annexation – AX-34-22- Contiguous Inside ETJ – 216 Buck Jones Road (District D)
- Petition Annexation – AX-04-23- Non-contiguous Inside ETJ – 7300 Buffaloe Road (District B)
- Petition Annexation – AX-06-23- Contiguous Inside ETJ – 3081 Sanderford Road (District C)
- Drainage Assistance Program – New Project Approvals
- Contract Services – Quail Hollow Main Replacement Project – Carolina Civilworks, Inc. – Change Order Number One
- Professional Services – Navaho Drive Sidewalk Project – Rummel, Klepper and Khal, LLP – Amendment No. Three
- 120 Hammond Center Drive – Storm Drainage
- 401 West Lane Street – Storm Drainage
- Budget Transfer – Atlantic Avenue Bikeway Preliminary Design
- Budget Amendment – Pullen Park Amusements
- No Parking Zones – Line of Sight – Brooks Avenue
- Speed Limit Reductions – Bernard Street, Cameron Street, Fowler Avenue, Galax Drive, Glenwood Forest Drive, McNeil Street, Noble Road, Parker Street, Poyner Road, and Sonora Street
- Multi-way Stops – Millbank Street at Brighton Road
- 200 W Martin St – ADA Parking Space
- Daytime Passenger Loading Zone – 200 East Hargett Street