In the More Homes, More Choices presentations, Patrick Young admits that the Missing Middle will not create housing that becomes affordable until at least one to two generations after it is built.
Tonight, I have given Council members a draft framework for creating housing that will be more affordable than what is being built under the guise of the Missing Middle.
Raleigh should use a Primary to ensure majority elections
In the last election for Raleigh City Council, only 2 out of 8 races resulted in a winner that received 50% or more of the vote. This isn’t necessarily the fault of the candidates participating in these races, rather this is the consequence of a plurality election with no chance for a run-off. Raleigh’s home rule charter gives the City Council the power to implement a nonpartisan primary that could be held at the same time as the state and national primaries.
We are frustrated with the obvious loopholes that allow this
I know you are frustrated. Every police captain assigned to this area has been frustrated. WE are frustrated. We are frustrated because the Sahara appears to be operating legally within current laws and zoning parameters. There are obvious loopholes in existing laws that allow this type of business to remain open until 5:30am.
Neighborhood Meetings, the Fox is Guarding the Hen House
First, the neighborhood meetings that are run by the applicant or their attorneys are not working. Since the developers run the meetings, the information that is being given is often very biased and not accurate coming from the applicant or their attorney. One attorney said in a neighborhood meeting that the Comprehensive Plan was no longer relevant. There was a city staffer there but they were silent.
March 7 2023 City Council Meeting
HIGHLIGHTS Councilor Patton’s request to defer Shaw rezoning due to her unavailability on April 4 was voted down; public hearing will be April 4. Rezoning Z-55-22: Johnson Street, held open until April 4 for further negotiation. Rezoning Z-75-22: Edwards Mill Road,...
Improve engagement by bringing the information to the people
CACs were important resources because they provided a one-stop-shop for staying informed. At monthly meetings attendees would hear a police report, a Parks & Rec report and City Staff reports about current issues. You would hear Planning Department topics. All the information brought to one meeting for you.
Innovative Affordable Housing Ideas
I understand that you have $23m dollars remaining in ARPA funds. I would urge you to consider allocating all or a majority to build more affordable housing. As you saw during this afternoon’s meeting, many approved public-private partnerships for affordable housing have had to come back to Council and ask for additional financing due to increased costs of land, loans and construction materials; thus depleting bond funding for future projects.
Questions about Shaw University’s Development Plans
There is an overabundance of 30-40 story rezonings in Raleigh at this point. Shaw doesn’t need that and I actually believe that there are many other issues contributing to Shaw’s issues. However, I think that it best to speak to the implications of losing the preserved buildings and the history of them as well as the environmental impacts. The concern is not just for Shaw University alumni and students but will affect the City of Raleigh residents as a whole.
Bob Mulder letter to council
Bob Mulder, former Chair of Raleigh's Planning Commission and a Raleigh real estate professional, sent the following letter to Raleigh City Council on February 7, 2023. We are publishing it here with his permission. To: Raleigh City Council Date: February 7, 2023 I've...
Missing Middle Mistakes
One of the former council members personally told several of us that Missing Middle would include mistakes. I asked how those mistakes would be fixed, since they would be buildings. He had no answer.









