Lisa Hughet has lived in Raleigh for nearly 30 years and says “my activism really kicked into high gear during the pandemic. Ironically, coinciding with a new City Council who appears not to have the residents of Raleigh as their highest priority. I’m also active in affordable housing matters and animal rescue.”
Lisa Hughet spoke to Raleigh City Council on February 10, 2026:
Dear Mayor and Members of City Council,
Do you know why I don’t show up to Public Hearings when I approve of a rezoning? Because the outcome is almost always predetermined. Over the past two years, Council has denied only 2 out of 54 rezoning cases. One denial cited neighborhood character; the other said existing zoning was sufficient. Those same concerns applied to the Peace Street tower and the recent North Hills case—yet both were approved.
Yes, I’m coming back to those 2 disastrous council decisions. You are literally bulldozing what residents have asked for in the Comp Plan and associated Small Area Plans. The purpose of those plans is to strategically execute comprehensive development. When Council disregards them, you undermine public trust and the very framework meant to manage growth responsibly.
You often point to offered conditions as public benefits. But the question is whether those benefits are proportionate to what is being granted. In the recent cases I mentioned, they were not. Doubling or tripling height should come with significantly elevated public benefits. You have leverage. Developers want to build here. Council can either insist on meaningful benefits or adhere to the plans we collectively agreed to follow.
We know we need more housing. A third of this city is housing-burdened. Density in walkable, less car-dependent areas is necessary. But you need to be better stewards of the plan. The Comprehensive Plan also calls for affordable housing within these developments. When Council votes against that, it is not serving residents—it is serving developer interests. The voting record of 6 of you makes that clear.
Density requires infrastructure. Transit, utilities, schools, and public services must keep pace.
From what I have seen, Council is not planning adequately for those future costs.
If the city cannot support this growth with existing resources, the solution is not to shift the burden onto residents through rising property taxes. The solution is to be more deliberate and disciplined about what you approve.
Kind Regards,
Lisa Hughet
If you appreciate the kind of reporting we bring to you
|
Please donate $10 or $20, Thanks for supporting |
 |