Every day I see good, affordable, multi-unit housing being torn down and replaced with McMansions or “luxury” apartments. This is going on ALL OVER THE CITY and was put on steroids by the Missing Middle policy changes.
Last month’s move to shorten time for public comments was detrimental to the preservation of good governance. Government works best when multiple and diverse stakeholders participate and share viewpoints and ideas with elected officials.
Staff went on WRAL to say that they discussed this decision with all internal stake holders and the decision was made across the organization. So, you can image my shock when councilor after city councilor made public comments that they were, in fact, not part of the decision making. They were in fact, shocked that this decision was made. So, I am here today on behalf of all local Raleigh businesses and I want to know what is the truth. Did the city actually make the decision across all departments necessary? Did they even bother to reach out to the family of Hailey Brooks before they made these comments?
The difficult question for the Planning Commission and City Council is this: Rather than continuing to chip away at the overlay zoning’s many inequitable impacts, are you willing to call for an alternate staff proposal that puts less emphasis on rapid economic redevelopment and more emphasis on best practices that will achieve equitable revitalization without dislocation?
We are at a crossroad. Let’s slow down, hear more from the affected community members, implement tools and policies that prioritize affordability and displacement mitigation, and establish a robust metrics plan. In doing so, we can ensure that the New Bern BRT upzoning project becomes a model of equitable development that truly serves all residents.