Former Mayor McFarlane asks City Council to DENY North Hills rezoning

Former Mayor McFarlane asks City Council to DENY North Hills rezoning

by | Jan 18, 2026 |

Nancy McFarlane served on Raleigh’s City Council from 2007 through 2019, as Mayor from 2011 through 2019. She sent an email to the current City Council expressing her views on the proposed rezoning of North Hills. “Now comes the difficult part for the city council. They have a staff report that claims the proposed rezoning is compliant with the comprehensive plan. One of the tenets of the plan is the transition from dense areas to the single-family homes around them. This request does not comply with that. It does not comply with the Small Area Plan.”

Dear City Councilor Silver

Dear City Councilor Silver

by | Jan 18, 2026 |

I am very concerned with losing the current firehouse at the corner of Rowan Street and Six Fork Road.  I googled a map of all the Raleigh fire stations, and there really is no other fire station anywhere close to the North Hills area.  The removal of this station will put lives and property in significant danger as the timing to attend to fire and life emergencies will be greatly lengthened. 

WHAT’S THE RUSH? – WHY must North Hills be rezoned NOW?

WHAT’S THE RUSH? – WHY must North Hills be rezoned NOW?

by | Jan 15, 2026 |

On January 6 rezoning case Z-34-25, the rezoning of North Hills, was presented to Council for approval. Council chose to hold the hearing open for a vote at their January 20 meeting. This is not a new conversation for the city. A nearly identical rezoning request was submitted in 2021 but was ultimately withdrawn after City Council members and residents raised substantial concerns. Both elected officials and the public made it clear that the proposal did not adequately address inconsistencies with the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, particularly around building heights, density transitions, and the absence of meaningful affordable housing commitments.

January 13, 2026 City Council meetings

January 13, 2026 City Council meetings

by | Jan 14, 2026 |

Work session on Triangle Bikeway initiative. Public comments focused on Rezonings, Noise Ordinance, Glenwood South, Greenways, Smoke free ordinance, and engagement

Nothing less than a FARCE

Nothing less than a FARCE

by | Jan 14, 2026 |

Poll results show that Raleigh is failing miserably in community engagement. Allotting an extra four minutes per side at the public hearing was insignificant compared to the potential impact of the proposal. Discussing Six Forks Road traffic issues on January 29, more than a week after the proposed January 20 vote on the rezoning proposal, is a real slap in the face to Raleigh residents. What good does it do to hold further discussion AFTER a decision has been made? The neighborhood meetings held by the developer did not meet the requirements of neighborhood meetings as outlined on the City’s website. An Open House style meeting does not allow the public to consider all input from all attendees. This case is just the most recent example of shutting the people out of the process in favor of developer/donor interests.

Residents say input and infrastructure falling behind at North Hills

Residents say input and infrastructure falling behind at North Hills

by | Dec 30, 2025 |

On January 6, 2026, rezoning case Z-34-25, the rezoning of North Hills, will again be presented to Council for approval. The previous submission in 2021 was withdrawn due to concerns from City Councilors and considerable public comment that did not support the request without further addressing the inconsistencies with the 2030 Comprehensive Plan for building heights, density transitions, and affordable housing. CBS 17 spoke with Larry Helfant about the case and the lack of attention paid to both community input and local infrastructure that is falling behind.

Off to the Races for Raleigh City Council

Off to the Races for Raleigh City Council

by | Dec 22, 2025 |

CANDIDATE FILING HAS ENDED, WHO’S RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL? To learn more about the new election process which features a March 3 Primary before the November 3 General Election, please register to attend Livable Raleigh’s Zoom Meeting on January 7 at 7pm.