The approval of Z-12-25 was a huge disappointment to many of the residents in Raleigh’s neighborhoods. What is most disappointing is that there was a workable compromise that would have respected all parties.
City Council Meetings October 14, 2025
Updates on the Comp Plan and the Mobility Study. Public comments on the noise ordinance as well as the Big Branch Greenway connector, changes to City Boards and Commissions, community engagement, Dix Park, and issues with GoRaleigh. A number of bus drivers are concerned about their own safety and other working conditions.
Planning Department Fantasy!
Our Comprehensive Plan says building heights should transition from the Central Business District to residential neighborhoods. The planner says 30 stories is transition. FANTASY!!
City Council Mid-Year Retreat, September 27, 2025
Council retreat focused on Federal Grants, Legislative Agenda, Steady State Bonds, “Big Ideas,” the next Comprehensive Plan, and Expansion of Affordable Housing Sites
Selective Policy Emphasis and a Disregard for Neighborhood Protections
Are we just counting which policies are convenient for a project and ignoring the ones that aren’t? This isn’t about stopping growth. It’s about rejecting a project that ignores codified transition areas, disregards protections for historic neighborhoods, and offers no real public benefit for on-site affordable housing.
Smashing through the Guardrails of Policy
Amazingly City Staff identified no detriments from this rezoning case. This proposed development is very close to a historic neighborhood. Why is there no reference in this document to Section 12 of the Comprehensive Plan regarding Historic Preservation? The first comment reads “Lack of transitions around historic resources which can sometimes lead to jarring juxtapositions of scale and proximity that detract from the character of the historic resource’s setting.” Has anybody read this or is even aware of this section of the Comprehensive Plan?
Will the New Council Fix our Crappy Missing Middle Infill Rules and End the Lawsuits?
Livable Raleigh and other proponents of Missing Middle best practices have lobbied Council for years to engage in a community conversation toward adopting Missing Middle infill improvements on the books in other peer cities that actually promote affordability, compatibility and walkable transit access. The latest, and perhaps best rules so far, have been adopted by Sacramento, CA.
June 17 City Council Work Session and Afternoon Session
Highlights from June 17 City Council Work Session and Afternoon Session
May 27 Planning Commission Meeting Summary
Summary of the May 27 Planning Commission meeting
Do City Plans and Policies have a “Use By” Date?
In the discussion of the 30-story Tower proposed for West Street, a location in a designated Downtown Transition Area, those opposed to the proposal have pointed out that it violates 4 City Plans and 47 policies. In response, those who are supporting the proposal make the claim that those plans are out of date and should be ignored. The plans are NOT OUT OF DATE. Let’s look at the facts.