In the ongoing discussion of the 30-story Tower proposed for West Street, a location in a designated Downtown Transition Area, those opposed to the proposal have pointed out that it violates 4 City Plans and 47 policies. In response, those who are supporting the proposal make the claim that those plans are out of date and should be ignored.
The plans are NOT OUT OF DATE. Let’s look at the facts.
2030 Comprehensive Plan (2030CP)
The 2030 Comprehensive Plan (2030CP) is a long-range policy document adopted and amended by the City Council. The Plan establishes a vision for the City, provides policy guidance for growth and development through 2030. The 2030CP was adopted by the City Council on October 7, 2009, with an effective date of November 1, 2009.
The 2030CP Update was adopted by six City Council resolutions in 2019.
In 2024 the plan was updated to designate the West Street location as a Downtown Transition Area.
The Comp Plan was originally developed to handle a projected population of 580,000 by 2030. Current projections say we are NOT going to reach that number. So, the plan already has enough density built in to handle our growth. From 2015 to 2022 we grew from 450,000 to 477,000. An increase of 27,000 in 7 years versus the estimate of 130,000 in 15 years. That’s less than half the estimate.
The Capital Boulevard Corridor Study is an area plan companion to the Comprehensive Plan and was released in June of 2012 and amended in August of 2012. It presents an ambitious yet realistic vision for transforming the most-travelled and least-loved gateway into downtown Raleigh into a showcase. The plan development had substantial engagement in creation of development policies from citizens, Raleigh’s Department of City Planning serving as lead agency, assisted by an internal working group consisting of representatives from the Parks and Recreation department; the Stormwater Division of the Public Works department; and the Office of Transportation Planning.
Equitable Transit Oriented Development Guidebook
The Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Guidebook is companion to the Comprehensive Plan and was released in July of 2020 with the goal amongst others to provide insight into how much Raleigh should grow around the BRT corridors and strengthening Raleigh’s Comprehensive Plan to help Raleigh evolve into the thriving and resilient city it aspires to become. Development taking into account neighborhood context, transitions in density, height and scale along with buffering and mitigations are all written and illustrated clearly throughout the plan.
The Raleigh Downtown Plan is an area plan companion to the Comprehensive Plan and was released in September of 2015 with a goal of providing guidance for downtown Raleigh for 10 years.
Livable Raleigh Editorial Team
The neighbors support the current zoning which allows for 12 stories.
12 stories IS DENSITY
12 stories provides needed housing
NOTE from Livable Raleigh – Mayor Cowell says she is keeping track of her email on the issue of the proposed 30-story tower at West St. If you are opposed to it and want to see Raleigh honor the Comprehensive Plan as Mayor Cowell said we should, then please email the Mayor and ALL the City Council to express your concerns. This email address will send your message to all council members: citycouncilmembers@raleighnc.gov or you can find complete contact information for each councilor and their social media accounts here: City Council Contacts
Is West St in the Core of Downtown?
West St Tower Violates Raleigh Downtown Plan
West St Tower Violates Equitable Transit Development
West St Tower Violates the Capital Blvd Corridor Study
West St Tower Proposal Violates the Comprehensive Plan
West St Tower Neighborhood Meeting – All Stand!
Want to know more about these signs?
If you appreciate the kind of reporting we bring to you
|
Please donate $10 or $20, Thanks for supporting |
 |