Livable Raleigh’s Affordable Housing Agenda

Livable Raleigh’s Affordable Housing Agenda

Across the country, the price of housing of all kinds is increasing dramatically, with the result that people of lesser and moderate incomes are paying half or more of their disposable income for housing and utilities. In sum, we have an affordability problem.

Zoning consistency is foundational to confidence in land-use policy

Zoning consistency is foundational to confidence in land-use policy

The King Charles NCOD was adopted to preserve Raleigh’s first planned subdivision east of downtown. Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Districts are legislative commitments. They represent a balancing of growth and preservation through deliberate policy. Their credibility depends on predictability. If an overlay can be removed parcel-by-parcel when redevelopment pressure rises, its long-term stability becomes uncertain.

Raleigh is playing the “We Care” card

Raleigh is playing the “We Care” card

The most devastating loss of affordable housing in the past 20 years has been the city constantly greenlighting the destruction of vast numbers of small brick ranches, duplexes and mom and pop apartment buildings in the older parts of town to give way for McMansions and “luxury” apartment towers.

INCLUDE THE PUBLIC IN THE REZONING PROCESS

INCLUDE THE PUBLIC IN THE REZONING PROCESS

Mary-Ann Baldwin was successful in removing the public from the rezoning process with the elimination of the required meeting held at a relevant CAC. That meeting had a presentation with the applicant, a staff report by a staff member, and time to discuss all of the issues. And the applicant was not in charge. When that process was followed, the public had all of the information needed to make meaningful decisions. Now there is NO process for the public to hear what the staff report says until the Planning Commission meeting. How is the public supposed to participate?