Make preservation a core value

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 April 14, 2026:

Thank you for your recent votes in favor of preservation. That makes you 2 and 2 for the season.

We have planners, commissions, concerned citizens, and YOU between the loss of tangible connections to Raleigh’s 233-year history.

Today I listened to the Planning Commission meeting and associated Commissioner, Staff and Public comment regarding Z-5-26, The New Bern Avenue Assemblage.

There was conversation about whether the works were being “gummed up” over details including equity. There was wise counsel suggesting that we need to look at both the short term and longer-term impacts of any actions, especially those touching on equity, and of the importance of taking the time to get it right.

Slow down is the message.

There are currently 32 zoning change requests on the table.

A good planning process starts with defining a planning area and noting its features.

We’ve got that —in a Comprehensive Plan whose interpretation and use should remain stable through the update cycle.

The Comprehensive Plan Update PROCESS is being disrupted by tossing in variation.

INCORPORATE these requests into the update process and solve them there.

Stop considering zoning change requests until after the update.

The planners plan, the commissioners and citizens debate and advise, but only YOU can prevent the perpetual loss of the material culture and character that makes Raleigh great.

Make Preservation a core value in your decision-making process.

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