HIGHLIGHTS
- At work session staff outlined plan for adopting a new comprehensive plan. A robust community engagement process is proposed. Hopefully they will include presentations to CACs.
- Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-4-23: Downtown Transition Areas – approved transition areas for the portion of CP-4-23 north of Peace Street and denial of transition areas for the portion south of Peace Street. Vote was 5 to 3 with Baldwin, Branch, and Melton in opposition.
- Approved by a 7 to 1 vote $10k for the United Arts Council and $5k for No Woman No Girl. Councilor Jones opposed because this is the second year in a row that United Arts Council requested money from council contingency fund rather than going through standard grants process.
- Unanimously approved Six Forks Road Improvement Project – six lanes with 8’ multi-use path from Rowan to Millbrook
- Lengthy discussion about changes to public comment process. By a 7 to 1 vote, with Councilor Jones opposed, approved 3 hours on second Tuesday and 1 hour on third Tuesday, creating a tiered system for individual time limits, creating a speaker cap and closing sign-up once cap is reached, moving sign-up deadline to 3pm on Friday and creating a formal process for submitting documents.
- Approved 6 to 2 with Jones and Black in opposition – maximum 50 speakers for third Tuesday and 165 speakers for the second Tuesday. Effective March 12.
- Video issue and July and December meetings to be decided later.
- Approved Lake Wheeler Rowing partnership agreement
- By a 7 to 1 vote, with Councilor Patton in opposition – approved replacement of structures and trails on Mine Creek Greenway favored by Ridgeloch Community members
- Unanimously approved remaining $700k in ARPA funds for Arts Recovery Program Phase 2: Arts Venue Plan and Disability Arts Initiatives
- Economic Development Agreement – SWING Destination Racquet and Paddle Sport Facility – unanimously approved
- Petition Annexation- AX-35-23- Contiguous inside ETJ – 914 Dowling Road (District C) – approved 5 to 3 with Forte, Jones, and Black in opposition
- Rezoning Z-33-23: 3206 Old Buffaloe Rd, approximately 400 feet east of the intersection of US 1 (Capital Blvd) and Old Buffaloe Rd (District C) – applicant requests this come back on March 5 so additional conditions can be added
- Next meeting of Economic Development & Innovation Committee will discuss Downtown Raleigh Economic Development on 2/27 at 1:30pm
- Next meeting of Transit & Transportation Committee will be on 2/22 on Z-28-23 Harden Road
- Councilor Forte requesting $300 from council contingency funds for Kendall Harris memorial reception – unanimously approved
- Councilor Black hosting walk around the district this Saturday at Lake Lynn
- Councilor Patton holding District Town Hall this Thursday at Marsh Creek Community Center from 6-8pm
- Public comments focused on international issues and community engagement.
A. 11:30 A.M. WORK SESSION CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
1. 2030 Comprehensive Plan – Review of Process to Adopt a New Comprehensive Plan
As part of the state laws that govern municipal planning (NCGS 160D-501), a condition of applying zoning regulations within a municipal jurisdiction is that a municipality must adopt and maintain a comprehensive plan.
The 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Raleigh 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, and contains action items directed at the City to implement the vision. The 2030 Plan contains six strategic vision themes, which are referenced in every element, or chapter, of the document. The Plan is divided into four major sections: the Introduction and Framework, the Plan Elements, the Area Plans, and the Implementation.
Adopted in 2009 and most recently updated in 2019, it is time for Raleigh to begin the process to develop a new comprehensive plan for the year 2030 and beyond. During the work session, staff will provide information about anticipated major themes and goals; budget, staffing, and schedule; initial tasks; and engagement. Early engagement is anticipated to include community conversations across a variety of topics. Planning and Development and Housing and Neighborhoods are partnering together to present a dual-purpose event that responds to the City Council request for a Housing Summit and also initiates community discussion about affordable housing to inform the development of the new comprehensive plan.
- Opportunity for citywide conversation about sensitive development topics – NCODs, transitions, height, neighborhood commercial.
- $900k budget
- March – December 2024 – Community Conversations
- January – June 2025 – Community Input, ongoing thematic engagement, technical work
- July – December 2025 – Plan drafting
- January – June 2026 – Community input, engagement regarding draft document
- July – December 2026 – Review and adoption
- Community Conversations will include topics including stormwater, community character and neighborhood change, trees, traffic, sustainable infrastructure and services, and housing choice and affordability
- Affordable Housing Summit planned in conjunction with Housing and Neighborhoods – tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 17 at the Raleigh Convention Center (300-person capacity)
- Councilor Jones suggests collecting metrics.
- Councilor Patton suggest using social media, influencers, and citizen assemblies.
- Mayor Baldwin asks about using Artificial Intelligence.
- Seems like CACs could play an important role here in engagement, but Planning Staff cautioned about “self-selected, self-initiated” input. I guess they don’t understand that people who show up at Planning events are self-selected.
- Councilor Harrison mentions the importance of including impacted individuals.
- Mayor Baldwin asks about leveraging partnerships.
- Councilor Harrison suggests inviting state and federal elected officials working in this same area.
B. CLOSED SESSION
1. Enter Closed Session
C. 1:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
1. Pledge of Allegiance
D. CONSENT AGENDA
- Unanimously approved
J. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Planning Commission Report
The following items are scheduled for public hearing at the City Council Meeting on March 05, 2024 at 7 pm
- Rezoning Z-92-22: New Bern Station Area Planning, 744 properties along New Bern Avenue between Downtown and Hedingham Boulevard / Freedom Drive (Districts B & C) (Held open from January 30 special meeting)
- Rezoning Z-28-23: 3725 Harden Road (District E)
- Street Closing STC-04-2023: Portion of Fairview Road
The following items are scheduled for public hearing at the City Council Meeting on March 19, 2024 at 1 pm
- Rezoning Z-35-23: 0 Gorman Street (District D) (Held open from February 6 meeting)
- Rezoning Z-39-23: Nowell Road (District D)
- Rezoning Z-41-23: Portions of 8301 & 8317 Buffaloe Road (District B)
The following item is scheduled for public hearing at the City Council Meeting on April 2, 2024 at 7 pm
- Rezoning Z-72-22: S Blount Street (District C) (Held open from February 6 meeting)
2. Text Change TC-8-23: Appearance Commission Name Change – Public Hearing scheduled for March 5
3. Streetscape and Parking Plan SSP-1-23: Village District Common Signage Plan – Amendment – Public Hearing scheduled for March 19
4. Rezoning Z-18-23: Wilson St. & Garner Rd. Assemblage, 1/4 mile north of the intersection of Garner Rd. and E. Tryon Rd. (District C) – Public Hearing scheduled for March 19
5. Rezoning Z-53-23: Northwest of the intersection of Rock Quarry Road and Interlock Drive (District C) – Public Hearing scheduled for March 19
6. Rezoning Z-57-23: Spring Forest Road and Atlantic Avenue, at the intersection of Spring Forest Road and Atlantic Avenue (District A) – Public Hearing scheduled for April 2
7. Rezoning Z-58-23: Rawls Drive, north of Poole Road and east of Diversity Way (District C) – Public Hearing scheduled for April 2
8. Rezoning Z-64-23: Summit Avenue, Northwest of the intersection of Summit Avenue and Water Works Street (District D) – Public Hearing scheduled for April 2
K. SPECIAL ITEMS
1. Rezoning Z-36-23: 1230 & 1234 South Saunders Street, west of the intersection of South Saunders Street and Prospect Avenue (District D) – Approved applicant request that scheduling of public hearing date be deferred until March 5 so they can offer additional conditions
2. Rezoning Z-50-23: Varsity Drive, west of the intersection of Varsity Drive and Avent Ferry Road (District D) – public hearing scheduled for March 5
3. Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-4-23: Downtown Transition Areas, east and south of the Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood (District D) – Mayor Pro Tem Melton prefers to wait to decide about this until there is more clarity about stations for Northern Corridor which is currently being studied. Councilor Harrison explains GNR recommended approval of transition areas for the portion of CP-4-23 north of Peace Street and denial of transition areas for the portion south of Peace Street. Mayor Baldwin suggests a new public hearing because the situation has changed, even though it hasn’t changed substantially. Councilor Branch expresses concerns about impact of new Comp Plan on the area. Councilors Jones and Patton point out that even if this passes as policy guidance, an applicant could request something different. Melton doesn’t like that this is what he called a “reactionary request” and doesn’t want to give comfort to residents that might later be taken away. Councilor Harrison points out that this was resident-led and isn’t “reactionary” and moved to approve. Mayor Baldwin says she will vote against; Councilor Branch sided with her. Approved 5 to 3 with Mayor Baldwin, Mayor Pro Tem Melton, and Councilor Branch opposed.
4. Appropriation from Council Contingency — $10k for the United Arts Council and $5k for No Woman No Girl – approved 7 to 1 with Councilor Jones in opposition because she thinks contingency should only be used one time and otherwise be handled through normal grants process. Mayor Baldwin defended the request.
5. Six Forks Road Improvement Project – Follow Up – Council Direction
- Funding gap of $72.9M
- Five options presented
- Councilor Patton articulates need for decisive action today per community feedback and to release property owners from limbo.
- Unanimously approved six lanes with 8’ multi-use path from Rowan to Millbrook
6. Public Comment Period Structure
- Recapped issues discussed at January retreat
- Staff recommended 3 hours on the second Tuesday and 1 on the third Tuesday; tiered system for individual time limits; cap with no roll-over; no preference for speakers with agenda items; eliminate submission of videos and other digital content
- Staff also recommending sign-up deadline to Friday at 3pm and creating a formal process for submitting physical documents during a meeting.
- Also considering adjustments to public comment during July and December when there are no second and third Tuesday meetings scheduled, when to schedule reports of Mayor and Council, and prohibit campaign speeches from candidates
- Mayor Baldwin asks about prohibiting verbal attacks on council members.
- Councilor Jones opposes restriction of content, including campaign speeches, as well as opposing one-hour limit on third Tuesday.
- Councilor Forte supports built-in transition times. Mayor Baldwin doesn’t think 12 seconds is enough transition time between speakers.
- Councilor Black supports Councilor Jones and wants three hours for speaking not counting transition time.
- Councilor Patton doesn’t want to eliminate videos and other digital content. Frankly this seems to be a red herring.
- Mayor Pro Tem Melton suggests holding off on a vote on videos and digital content; supports moving sign-up deadline to Friday at 3pm and creating a formal process for submitting physical documents during a meeting. Suggests putting public comment into first Tuesday in July and December and Mayor Baldwin suggests a shorter time limit. Councilor Patton supports 180 speakers initially with no transition times, with adjustments as needed. Councilor Harrison supports allowing videos and digital content. Councilor Branch likes transition times but agrees with Patton to ease into it and monitor it. Mayor Baldwin likes transition time built in.
- Melton moves to approve 3 hours on second Tuesday and 1 hour on third Tuesday, creating a tiered system, creating a speaker cap and closing once cap is reached, moving sign-up deadline to 3pm on Friday and creating a formal process for submitting documents. Approved 7 to 1 with Councilor Jones opposed.
- Council splits on whether to allow 180 speakers maximum without regard for transition time or 150 speakers maximum to include transition time. Councilor Jones points out there are usually quite a few no-shows.
- Approved 6 to 2 with Jones and Black in opposition – maximum 50 speakers for third Tuesday and 165 speakers for the second Tuesday. Effective March 12.
- Video issue and July and December meetings to be decided later.
L. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER
1. Lake Wheeler Rowing – Partnership Agreement
- Unanimously approved
2. Mine Creek Trail Improvement Project
- Councilors Jones and Patton point out that an unrelated project will result in significant loss of trees regardless of which option is approved.
- Councilor Black moves that staff move forward with option 1, replacement of structures and trails which is what the Ridgeloch Community favored. Approved 7 to 1 with Councilor Patton opposed.
M. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE ARTS COMMISSION
1. Annual Work Plan and Report
2. American Rescue Plan Act Funding – Arts Recovery Program Phase 2: Arts Venue Plan and Disability Arts Initiatives
- Unanimously approved remaining $700k in ARPA funds
N. MATTERS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING
1. Economic Development Agreement – SWING Destination Racquet and Paddle Sport Facility – unanimously approved
2. Petition Annexation- AX-35-23- Contiguous inside ETJ – 914 Dowling Road (District C) – approved 5 to 3 with Forte, Jones, and Black in opposition
3. Rezoning Z-33-23: 3206 Old Buffaloe Rd, approximately 400 feet east of the intersection of US 1 (Capital Blvd) and Old Buffaloe Rd (District C) – applicant requests this come back on March 5 so additional conditions can be added
O. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
- Next meeting will discuss Downtown Raleigh Economic Development on 2/27 at 1:30pm
P. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE GROWTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
- No items pending and no meeting this month
Q. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE SAFE, VIBRANT AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
- No items pending and no meeting this month
R. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
- Next meeting on 2/22 on Z-28-23 Harden Road
S. REPORT OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
1. Individual Reports from the Mayor and Council Members
- Councilor Forte requesting $300 from council contingency funds for Kendall Harris memorial reception – unanimously approved
- Councilor Black hosting walk around the district this Saturday at Lake Lynn
- Councilor Patton holding District Town Hall this Thursday at Marsh Creek Community Center from 6-8pm
T. APPOINTMENTS
1. Arts Commission – One Regular Vacancy
2. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission – One Regular Vacancy (Disability Slot)
3. Human Relations Commission – One Regular Vacancy (Youth Slot)
4. Police Advisory Board – One Regular Vacancy (At-Large)
5. Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Centers Authority – One Regular Vacancy
6. Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority – One Regular Vacancy
7. Raleigh Sister Cities – One Regular Vacancy
8. Stormwater Management Advisory Commission – One Regular Vacancy
9. Substance Use Advisory Commission – Two Regular Vacancies
U. NOMINATIONS
1. City of Oaks Foundation – Three Regular Vacancies
2. Raleigh Historic Development Commission – One Regular Vacancy
3. Substance Use Advisory Commission – One Regular Vacancy
4. Stormwater Management Advisory Commission – Two Regular Vacancies
V. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
W. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY CLERK
1. Minutes
X. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Rules of Decorum for Public Comment
2. Voice Mail Public Comment
- Public comments focused on international issues and community engagement.
Y. ADJOURNMENT
1. Adjourn Meeting
D. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consent Agenda Process
2. Donation of Equipment – Bikeshare System – Kane Realty Corporation
3. Connection to Utility Service – Outside City Limits – 900 Averette Road
4. Affordable Housing – Perry Creek and Terrace Springs Apartments – Modification of Loans
E. CONSENT AGENDA – PETITION ANNEXATIONS
1. Petition Annexation (Deferral)- AX-03-24- Contiguous inside ETJ – 7621 Ray Road (District A)
2. Petition Annexation (Deferral)- AX-02-24- Contiguous inside ETJ – 5205 Country Trail (District E)
F. CONSENT AGENDA – CONTRACTS AND CONSULTANT SERVICES
1. Interlocal Agreement – Interconnections, Transfer of Water Line, and Emergency Water Supply – Town of Cary – Amendment No. Two
2. Interlocal Agreements – FY24 Wake Transit Plan Mid-Year Amendments – CAMPO, GoTriangle
3. Professional Services – GoRaleigh Bus Stop Improvement Program – DRMP, Inc.
4. Professional Services – Master Services Agreement for On-Call Engineering Services – The John R. McAdams Company, Inc. – Amendment No. Two
5. Professional Services – East Neuse Regional Pump Station and Force Main – New Contract Ratification
6. Contract Services – DE Benton Water Treatment Plant – Liquid Oxygen Product and Tank Rental – Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
7. Contract Services – Water Treatment Division Landscape Maintenance – Davis Landscaping Ltd.
G. CONSENT AGENDA – ENCROACHMENT REQUESTS
1. 1000 Social Street – The Exchange – Various
H. CONSENT AGENDA – BIDS
1. Bid Award – Annual Street Resurfacing Program – FSC II, LLC, DBA: Fred Smith Company
I. CONSENT AGENDA – TRAFFIC
1. Multi-way Stops
2. Speed Limit Reductions
3. No Parking Zones – Smallwood Drive
4. Two Hour Metered Parking – 400 H Development