Growth is inevitable, it doesn’t have to be destructive.

Chris Crew was born in Morganton, NC and moved to Raleigh in 1964. He’s been a resident of Historic Oakwood since 1975.

Educated at NCSU and UNC-Chapel Hill and is retired from Public Safety. Preservationist, Cook, Trombonist, Brewer, Choirboy, Grandfather.

Chris spoke to City Council March 17, 2026:  

Growth is inevitable, it can be transformative; it’s up to us to see that it isn’t destructive.

Zoning and land use planning are the tools we use to meet this challenge.

With considerable public input, we developed and adopted a Comprehensive Plan so that our growth could occur in a healthy and predictable manner.

If you routinely overturn publicly supported zoning on demand and by whim, you might as well not have it.

You will soon be asked to make a decision concerning three zoning change requests that will have a decided impact on the character, culture and history of Raleigh.

Z-31-25, Z-40-25, and Z-5-26 all request concessions to profit that threaten the integrity of our Historic Districts and Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Districts.

Changes to zoning created by the people should create additional public benefits.

Convenience and profit is not a real public benefit.

Real public benefit isn’t more exclusive housing.

Real public benefit isn’t loss of cultural and historic resources.

Unique neighborhoods, historic resources and a vibrant downtown are what bring people to Raleigh. Fast food, fast fashion and fast money are bad for our health and wellbeing.

If you appreciate the kind of reporting we bring to you