The Impacts of Cherry-Picking Policy – Part Two

The Impacts of Cherry-Picking Policy – Part Two

by | Jul 7, 2025 |

RDC’s claim is, “the Urban Form Map designation for this site is in the Downtown Center,” and that this designation and policies from that section support heights above 12 stories. This is misleading. While it is true that the Urban Form Map UD-1 (UFM) places the site within the Downtown and Core Transit areas, this designation is not a direct basis for determining allowable height or density. it’s important to clarify a potential source of confusion. The site is designated Core Transit on the Urban Form Map but that is not the same as the Core/Transit category referenced in Table LU-2, which is a distinct classification tied to specific definitions

Odd Times at the Odd Fellows Tract

Odd Times at the Odd Fellows Tract

by | Jul 2, 2025 |

Wake County zoned the Odd Fellows Tract back to low density residential in 1982 (Wake County R-40, 1 house per acre). The quarry (and the proposed “entertainment district” on the forested acres of Lake Crabtree) are not authorized uses in this Wake County zoning district.  Unfortunately, the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA) has chosen to ignore this Wake County zoning, and Wake County has thus far failed to enforce it. You can help by taking action!

The Impacts of Cherry-Picking Policy

The Impacts of Cherry-Picking Policy

by | Jun 29, 2025 |

While the developer’s argument relied on selected pieces of the Comprehensive Plan, it reflected a common rezoning tactic: cherry-picking policies to justify a predetermined outcome. But when viewed in full context, the city’s adopted plans and policies provide clear, balanced guidance.

What are Citizens’ Assemblies?

What are Citizens’ Assemblies?

by | Jun 25, 2025 |

Citizens’ Assemblies are not a silver bullet, but they are a powerful supplement to representative democracy. By fostering informed, inclusive debate, they help bridge the gap between the public and policymakers—and reinvigorate democratic governance for the 21st century.

It’s time for this nightmare to end

It’s time for this nightmare to end

by | Jun 22, 2025 |

The city has had noise ordinance rules for years. After a two year process the city introduced a new noise ordinance in January 2024, and then revised that ordinance in January 2025. RPD is not following the city-written, council-passed noise ordinance. They have ceased giving out citations with only two citations being given out in January 2025 for the 161 noise complaint calls total to June 3rd 2025 in the Glenwood Hospitality district.

Raleigh OKs budget without separation pay for Firefighters

Raleigh OKs budget without separation pay for Firefighters

by | Jun 15, 2025 |

The Raleigh Fire Department (RFD) is at least 200 firefighter positions short. When including the current 50 known vacancies, they are 250 firefighters short of the manpower needed to fully protect this City today. Raleigh has not added any new firefighter positions since 2014, while experiencing rapid population growth and development. Let’s be clear. RFD is requesting the same benefit paid between retirement and age 62 that RPD officers have been receiving since 1987.

Vote for Streamside Option by 6/11

Vote for Streamside Option by 6/11

by | Jun 5, 2025 |

The “streamside” option along the Big Branch creek would route the connector across city and little used private pieces of land. It already looks like a greenway and avoids car and truck traffic. The two other options the city lists would bring greenway users into regular contact with cars, trucks and service vehicles. If the city selects either of the two options going through this neighborhood, it will be devastating for a long surviving Raleigh neighborhood and it will be a radical, very un-greenway greenway project. Either of these two options would be more of an urban path than actual greenway as the trail would move along roads, across one street, and require the cutting down of many of the currently surviving trees and bushes in the neighborhood, leaving a pavement-centric greenery-bare trail.