Protect and preserve our heritage

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, works for the State of NC in Public Safety. Preservationist, Cook, Trombonist, Brewer, Choirboy, Grandfather.

Chris spoke at City Council on June 18, 2024.

Raleigh is not a city stopped in time, nor should it be. It is a living, breathing organism that grew on a framework designed by William Christmas in 1792. Very little vestige of this small seat of government and learning remains.

Over the centuries, it has shown growth, blossom, fruit, and decay as do all living things. Traces of this cycle are valuable and instructive for future generations.

During its life, wonderful processes have grown up allowing us to flourish. Land Use Planning and Zoning is a vital branch of this tree. Historic Overlay Districts and Neighborhood Conservation Overlay districts are fruits of this line, as is the Unified Development Ordinance.

These concepts are realized through significant Public and Stakeholder input focusing on general welfare for generations, not immediate gain for speculators.

Our HODs, NCODs and the character of the city are threatened by piecemeal nibbling at the edges of zoning overlays for all kinds for speculative purposes. These feints are particularly prevalent around the edges of historic districts in general and in our Historic Districts recognizing African American contributions to our heritage in particular. These acts are detrimental to community cohesiveness.

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. The trust bestowed in you is set forth in the Comprehensive Plan and the UDO and its premises designed and adopted with considerable stakeholder input for the long run. The precepts therein should not be undone for individual convenience or gain.

Last week I pointed out a low-hanging Preservation fruit and asked you to use your influence with the State Properties Office to help find out why there has been a long delay in the transfer of title of a threatened surplus historic property, and to see what solutions may be applied before further deterioration takes place.

I’ve provided contact information for the appropriate state agents. Please follow up to protect and preserve our heritage. This is something outside of municipal government, but not outside of your influence.

Thank you.

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