Upcoming Raleigh Events
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Sertoma Art Center Renovation Project Open House
Sertoma Art Center Renovation Project Open House
Mayor’s Committee for Persons With Disabilities Meeting
Mayor’s Committee for Persons With Disabilities Meeting
District D Neighborhood Alliance (DDNA) meeting
District D Neighborhood Alliance (DDNA) meeting
Tarboro Road Park Redevelopment Open House
Tarboro Road Park Redevelopment Open House
Read up on our latest news…
Mitchell Silver – Trendy Pitch Man
The N&O has twice [April 15 & May 30] quoted Livable Raleigh describing council candidate Mitchell Silver as a “development lobbyist.” Raleigh residents have every right to question where Silver’s allegiances lie. Just ask the Glenwood-Brooklyn neighbors who were hit twice with his trendy but false pitch for 30-40 story towers next door.
JUNE 4, 2024 COUNCIL MEETING
Highlights from June 4 Council Meeting
City Council Budget Work Session June 3, 2024
Highlights from June 3 Council Budget Work Session
Are 1800 Sq Ft homes “Cottages?”
We must all be aware of possible changes coming to our neighborhoods in time to weigh in. But since the developer is only required to notify the immediate neighbors, not the neighborhood, those living right next to a piece of land may be the only residents even aware (if they are) of a project being planned. Thus, any objections are likely to come only from those who know about and are affected by the project. How is anyone else supposed to find out about it? Those who DO know must spread the word so neighborhoods can more effectively object, if necessary.
Repeal and Trust the Voters
The UNC School of Government advised us: “If they’ve already formally adopted the ordinance, a member will need to make a motion to repeal. That motion would need to pass by a majority vote to repeal the ordinance.”
You could have made a difference but you failed!
This decision further undermines any trust with your decisions and who you are truly representing. It’s unfortunate because you could have really made a difference with this vote and you failed and further undermined any trust and transparency.
May 21, 2024 City Council Work Session & Afternoon Session
Highlights from May 21 Work Session and Afternoon Session
MSD moves power from city government to private interests
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.
Helping Hands – we need your hands too!
Join with us and these City Council candidates to help us get 5,000 signatures on the Election Reform Petition. Hold City Council to their promise and let the voters decide.
May 14 City Council Meetings
Highlights from May 14 work session and public comments session
Portland Measures Missing Middle for Success
Raleigh’s missing middle rules promote profitability, but they fail at every other community goal: affordability, neighborhood compatibility, walkability, accessibility and equity. By excluding community goals, Raleigh’s missing middle rules have created a situation where the missing middle infill being built is very big, very unaffordable, incompatible with its surroundings and more often than not, demolishes rather than increases Raleigh’s supply of affordable dwellings.
Election Reform Timeline
Six councilors made public statements in support of using a referendum for the voters to make the decision on election reform over more than a year. Most voicing that support as recently as one month before they suddenly changed course and turned their backs on the promise they made to the voters. And, they did so without any explanation for what caused them to abandon their firmly stated positions.
City Council broke their promise to you!
At their May 7 meeting, Council reneged on their PROMISE that they would put a proposal for four-year terms with a nonpartisan primary on the November ballot for the voters to decide. Instead, all on their own, they unilaterally approved staggered four-year terms with a primary beginning in 2026. The councilors arrogantly noted that if citizens didn’t like their backtracking on their commitment, they could “just go collect 5,000 signatures” on a petition within 30 days and force the council to keep their promise of placing the issue on the ballot as a referendum in November.
May 7, 2024 City Council Meetings
Highlights from May 7 Afternoon and Evening council meetings.
Fair compensation for RPD
It was embarrassing to listen to both Fire and RPD ask for additional compensation just to stay competitive with neighboring communities. Raleigh has the best training facilities in the area but we suffer from retaining personnel because, although we are the Capital City, we don’t provide fair compensation or benefits.
Best of Wake County 2024
INDY Week Readers Name Livable Raleigh Best Local Activist Group – Wake County – 2024. Our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the event. We pledge to continue bringing you the kind of local activism you appreciate.
Don’t Put the Cart Before the Horse
On May 7th, Council will hear from the public about the idea of creating a self-taxing Municipal Services District (MSD) to improve safety, cleanliness and growth in the corridor. Our opinion is that adopting an MSD first puts the cart before the horse. Livable Raleigh recommends that Council follow the precedent of Raleigh’s existing MSDs: Begin by funding and adopting a strong Area Plan vision supported by all stakeholders to guide Council rezonings and investments. Then decide if an MSD is needed to manage safety, cleanliness and the adopted Area Plan vision.
Cease and Desist?
Livable Raleigh has received a “Cease and Desist” letter from lawyers representing Sustainable Raleigh, the new group started by former one-term City Council member David Knight. Ouch! We hope Sustainable Raleigh will “Cease and Desist” making false accusations against us.
Follow the Guidance Provided by the Planning Commission and Vote NO on Z-72-22
Shortly, you will be asked to vote on a Zoning Request involving removal of property from an established Historic District. Z-72-22 requests removal of a lot from the Prince Hall Historic District in order to circumvent guidance and regulations established in State Statute and the City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance. Z-72-22 represents the piecemeal nibbling away at protections offered to our culture and heritage for profit.
At-Large Voting — the Oldest Trick in The Book
At-Large block voting has been called the oldest trick in the book. Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg cited this method as a preeminent second-generation way to deny equal opportunity for minority voters and candidates. Congress has banned At-Large voting for all federal elections. It’s been discarded by most states. No voting method has been subject to more litigation for its discriminatory impact on local elections. Yet, while the covers are off the discriminatory impact and intent of At-Large voting, it persists in hundreds of local jurisdictions.