New Bern TOD – Redo the map – apply it strategically

New Bern TOD – Redo the map – apply it strategically

On January 30th, City Council should vote against the current rezoning case and send City Planners back to the drawing board to redo the map. Wide support of the TOD can be accomplished by strategically applying it to commercial properties and open lots.  You cannot reduce the displacement pressure on the existing neighborhoods when you include those very neighborhoods in the TOD!

Locals gather to hear Community Leaders discuss mass upzoning plans for New Bern Ave

Locals gather to hear Community Leaders discuss mass upzoning plans for New Bern Ave

An overflow crowd turned out Sunday afternoon for Livable Raleigh’s public forum to discuss a proposed upzoning of more than 700 properties along the New Bern Avenue corridor. The resounding message was to ask City Council to deny the rezoning request (Z-92-22) and to put the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) into committee for modifications. Panelists and audience members alike expressed concern about the displacement of an entire minority community. Attendees were encouraged to attend the upcoming public hearing on January 30 at 7pm at the Raleigh Municipal Building.

Official Raleigh survey – residents OPPOSE 4-Year City Council terms

Official Raleigh survey – residents OPPOSE 4-Year City Council terms

Despite having received two surveys showing lack of support for 4-year terms, council wants to ask the residents again. No District, No Age Group and No Racial or Ethnic Group show majority support for 4-year City Council terms. What part of NO are you having trouble with? Are you just planning to keep taking votes until you get the results you want?

January 16 City Council Meetings Highlights

January 16 City Council Meetings Highlights

HIGHLIGHTS  Mayor Baldwin absent from Work Session and absent and excused for portion of afternoon session and for evening session. City Council Retreat will be held on Friday, January 26, from 1-5pm at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary and on Saturday, January 27,...

Gun Violence Higher in Gentrifying Neighborhoods

Gun Violence Higher in Gentrifying Neighborhoods

One of the solutions to the problem proposed by the authors is to support policies to reduce the displacement of longtime residents, which would include affordable housing. Instead, along the New Bern Avenue BRT, our developer-friendly city planners have increased the height threshold for affordable units from three stories to five, which guarantees that no affordable units will be built because of the increase in cost of construction materials when height exceeds the five stories allowed under stick building.

Create an Area Plan for New Bern Avenue

Create an Area Plan for New Bern Avenue

The solution is simple. You are half way there. You have exempted one and two story homes from the TOD. Well done! Now, fix the core of the problem by amending TC-17A-20 so that NCODs, HODs and residential properties take precedence over the TOD! You amended this ordinance once. Let’s send it back to the drawing board, amend it again, and put equity and neighborhood protection back in.

Baldwin’s Council Cronies Erect Housing Hurdles

Baldwin’s Council Cronies Erect Housing Hurdles

This gentrification–cruelly forced to be funded by the council’s constituents through taxes and fees–is not done with respect to or value for the history, culture, and communities of Downtown. It’s for the investors; for the migratory wealthy who seek new investments for their capital in an expanding city.

‘Twas the night before Council

‘Twas the night before Council

‘Twas the night before council, and all through the city, Affordable units demolished, oh what a pity. The ADU pilot awaited support with care, In hopes that affordable units soon would be there. The developers nestled all snug in their beds, With visions of profits and luxury spreads.