October 1, 2024 City Council Meeting
Highlights from the October 1 City Council meeting.
UNNEIGHBORLY: The impact of Missing Middle on Woodcrest
Possible Missing Middle “tweaks” being discussed by Council include tree preservation and consideration of character impact of high-density housing on existing neighborhoods. These minor tweaks would amount to putting lipstick on a pig. Council was able to make controversial decisions on moving Red Hat Amphitheater and closing a traffic artery into downtown within about two months. You’ve had two years to massage and wrestle with Missing Middle, and nothing has been accomplished.
Ignoring covenants encourages their violation
If this lawsuit succeeds, then any subdivision with or without a homeowner’s association will be at risk. The only winners will be those charging legal fees, and the losers will be homeowners who purchased their single-family homes with certain expectations related to the future of their property.
Redefining Representation: The Critical Need for a Larger City Council in Raleigh
As Raleigh continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, the stakes have never been higher for our city’s future. We’re witnessing a city transforming before our eyes—new developments, some booming businesses, and an influx of new residents. But with this rapid growth comes a critical challenge that we cannot afford to ignore: the need for a more expansive and accessible City Council that truly represents all of Raleigh’s diverse communities.
City budgeting engagement opportunities
Usually I’m up here complaining about things the city does, but I want to be clear that I think last year’s budget engagement was an overall positive experience, but I still think it could be better.
City Council fiddles while neighborhoods are sued
Raleigh builder is suing a whole neighborhood to have their restrictive covenants removed to enable him to build a development of 12 townhomes on two lots that are/were two single-family homes. District C Councilor Corey Branch, who represents the neighborhood, promised to do everything in his power to fix this. Branch has done nothing.