by S | Oct 11, 2026 | Blog
There’s a reason cities cling to this model which has little to do with genuine participation. Public meetings are risk management. They give agencies something to point to later: “The public had every opportunity to provide input,” or, “This design reflects what we heard through our engagement process.” The meeting was never meant to change the outcome. It was meant to protect the decision-maker. That’s not engagement. That’s preemptive deflection.
by S | Oct 7, 2026 | Blog
A developer wants to build a 15-story building on Lassiter Mill Road at North Hills. Instead of putting shops or restaurants on the ground floor with windows you can look into, they want to build giant blank walls with huge garage doors. This space would be used for trash pickup, heavy equipment, and large tractor-trailer trucks driving in and out at all hours. Neighbors worry this will make Lassiter Mill Road dangerous for people walking, riding bikes, or driving.
by S | Aug 5, 2026 | Blog
A City We Build Together: How one citizen and one mayor showed what local government is supposed to be.
by S | May 3, 2026 | Blog
Allowing more smaller, affordable units on a lot that would otherwise contain one expensive unit has clearly hit a sweet spot with Portland builders and affordability advocates. Portland’s housing reforms aren’t a silver bullet, but they are a powerful reminder to Raleigh that well-designed policies can produce affordable, human-scaled homes in Raleigh neighborhoods people already love.
by S | Apr 12, 2026 | Blog
Livable Raleigh recommends adding these two NC Building Code Amendments to the City of Raleigh’s Legislative Agenda: adopt global elevator standards and permit single stairway buildings. Both of these code reforms are gaining traction in the United States. They open up new opportunities for moderately scaled apartment and condo buildings in walkable urban settings that are more affordable and more accessible without sacrificing building safety.
