The City Planning Staff advocates on behalf of individual development interests. When was the last time Planning acknowledged any negative impact in their review of a zoning change request? Where is the advocacy for the people and for the plan they devised and adopted with stakeholder input?
Highlights from June 1 Budget Work Session and June 2 Afternoon & Evening Council meetings
In recent polling 85% of Raleigh citizens across all demographics support increased funding of Raleigh Police. So as we enter the 2027 budget cycle, I’m here to encourage continued investment in public safety. A safe city depends on a fully staffed and supported police department. And RPD still faces significant staffing challenges, with roughly 80 vacancies among its 798 approved officer positions.
I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongue. This is not about what is, it’s about what can become. A vibrant tree canopy to grow 24,000 strong. City of Oaks, Grow them with care. Give them clean water. And feed them fresh air. This is the future we ask you to share.
I am asking this Council to direct staff to implement a case-by-case evaluation process for TOD projects in established neighborhoods. Density bonuses should be contingent upon: Infrastructure Alignment, Public Benefit and Safety Verification. Raleigh needs smart growth, but blanket policies that ignore physical infrastructure risk displacing the very communities they intend to serve.
Eight neighbors from Litchford Forest spoke at the Public Comment Session asking City Council to uphold the decision of the Planning Commission which voted 8-1 to DENY rezoning case Z-43-25.