Cole McMullin, an active member of Raleigh Democratic Socialists of America spoke to City Council on May 14, 2024:
Today (May 14) was the deadline for property owners within the proposed Blue Ridge MSD (Municipal Service District) to petition the city clerk for removal.
However, because many of the residents that live within the proposed boundaries are tenants, they are not the property owners and are thus prevented from being able to formally petition for removal.
Therefore, I think it only fair that all apartment complexes within the proposed boundary be removed from the MSD if it is implemented.
The survey done by the community engagement department strongly indicates the amenities this MSD proposes do not align with what residents are willing to pay for, and since it is the businesses in the area that want these amenities, it should be the businesses that pay for them; not the residents.
And since I have time, I’d like to address some comments from the public hearing.
Particularly the wild claims from WakeUp Wake County that this MSD is needed for public transit, affordable housing, and housing density.
Given that there won’t be a single cent from this MSD that is used for any of those things, I think these claims are extremely exaggerated at best, and blatant lies at worst.
Just my speculation, but I think the reason groups like WakeUp Wake County take an interest in MSDs isn’t because they care about the public good that things like enhanced public transit and affordable housing provide.
Rather they dangle these promises as a carrot while they create opportunities to enrich their own members and profit on the backs of tenants. To successfully pull this off, they need City Council out of the way.
This MSD moves decision making power from city government to private interests and gets City Council (and the public) out of the way.
As a resident, I am vehemently opposed, and if I were you I would vote no.
Thank you!
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