Donna Bailey has lived in Raleigh for over 25 years and has been a neighborhood advocate for much of that time. She served as President of the University Park Neighborhood Association and has also been Chair of the Hillsborough-Wade Citizens Advisory Council (CAC). Donna has been very active in educating the public on what is going on within the city and making sure that resident’s voices are heard. Donna is a former member of the city’s Community Engagement Board.
Donna spoke to City Council on March 11, 2025:
Good evening
I want to talk tonight about city planning and the importance of predictability. We can see with what’s happening now nationally that when plans are not followed, chaos follows.
That is also applicable to following the established plans that were carefully considered and adopted in the city. Specifically, I want to talk about the recent text change to the previous Z-54-22 case where that parcel was brought into the Downtown Transition Area.
That change gives very clear guidance on height at the city EDGE and adjacent to residential. It is very clear that the top height should be no more than 12 stories, the same height that the Publix is. This is NOT DOWNTOWN and will set a precedent for every other edge area.
What is the point of having a plan and not following it?
Mayor Cowell, this will be an important case for you. If the 30 stories is granted, you can expect developers to use this as the new model. You have the power to stop this.
Councilor Silver, you were involved with the creation of the Comp Plan. I have often heard you say, JUST FOLLOW THE PLAN!
I know that Councilor Silver has said he has no conflict of interest. I spoke to Mr. Silver before the election and expressed my concerns since he was so closely connected to the development industry. Mr. Silver represented the developer during the Comp Plan Amendment when the Downtown Transition Area was requested. He had numerous meetings in his office at McAdams with the applicant and other interested parties. It seems to me, and many others, that you clearly have a MORAL conflict of interest.
It may be legal but it certainly doesn’t pass the smell test.
We all know that the city needs more density. By following the Comp Plan and the recommended Downtown Transition guideline, the city can achieve much more density and still keep a reasonable height next to neighborhoods.
Whatever happens here, you can expect to be repeated in other downtown edge neighborhoods.
This shouldn’t be hard to deny the 30 story request from this or any other developer.
And Councilor Silver, we will all be watching to see if you can be trusted to do the right thing.
NOTE – there is more information about this case here: Council, we have a problem
The neighbors support the current zoning which allows for 12 stories.
12 stories IS DENSITY
12 stories provides needed housing
NEW DATE, TIME & LOCATION
FIRST NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPER MEETING
Wednesday, April 23, 6pm
1101 Gorman St, Raleigh 27606
Plan to attend, ask questions and voice your concerns
The neighbors support the current zoning which allows for 12 stories.
12 stories IS DENSITY
12 stories provides needed housing
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