The Attack on Single-Family Zoning

The Attack on Single-Family Zoning

I have experience valuing homes that are next to duplexes, fourplexes and apartment buildings; I see what’s happening in these neighborhoods. Once zoning is changed from single-family to multi-family, developers move in and start competing against families for older homes. Unfortunately, the builder always wins because they have more money and are willing to pay cash. Homes, perfect for a starter family or in need of being rehabbed will be purchased by a developer who will tear the house down to make way for a new multi-unit building on a small 5,000-square-foot site. (It’s called the highest and best use of the land). The moment construction starts, the value of a nice condition single-family home next door goes down; the appraisal term is called external obsolescence. Welcome to capitalism in America.

Every Resident Has a Stake in the Comp Plan Update

Every Resident Has a Stake in the Comp Plan Update

The city is starting to write a new Comprehensive Plan, When adopted, it will replace the current 2030 Comp Plan, which was adopted in 2013 after several years of public input and dialogue. What is a Comp Plan? It’s a set of policies meant to guide every decision made by city leaders.

Time to Prioritize People in the City Budget

Time to Prioritize People in the City Budget

Community engagement for the 2025 / 2026 Raleigh Budget has started. I attended the first virtual session in December, not October, thinking that they would actually engage with the audience. Instead, input was gathered through a number of questions, rather than an informative session and discussion with the public to gather more information about resident priorities and needs. My session had a well educated audience, yet little time was afforded for actual public input.

Neuse River Park – habitat degradation – what can the ecosystem sustain?

Neuse River Park – habitat degradation – what can the ecosystem sustain?

When I first joined City Council I met advocates who introduced me to the idea of developing a white water rafting facility in the Neuse River near Falls dam. I was initially enthusiastic about the idea to add recreation to the river. However, as I learned more, I realized the tremendous negative impacts such a facility could have on the wildlife that depend on the river.