The graph below comes from a Triangle Business Journal article contending that developers are “flooding” the current council with rezoning requests because they are confident that their requests will be quickly and easily...
Adding density does not ease escalating housing costs, but does just the opposite, by driving up land values
The widening gap between housing costs and most incomes is caused by escalating land prices, not construction costs or zoning rules.
This Council abused its white privilege to suppress all Black CAC voices
One year ago, this Council used the excuse of ‘too much white CAC privilege’ to justify and conceal their own white privileged suppression of all Black CAC voices.
“The Only Thing Worse Than A NIMBY Is A YIMBY,” and other truths about affordable housing and what the “Yes” crowd really means
Instead of building condos for the people who don’t need houses, and hoping that eventually market forces will slowly reduce prices at every level, it’s possible to build for the people who do need houses. There is also no need for progress to involve bulldozing beloved historic places.
Downtown South Needs a Makeover
During the holidays we are re-posting some of our favorite guest blogs while we take some time away from our normal hectic schedules. Here is a recent message from Jane Harrison. Jane Harrison, Ph.D., works at North Carolina State University for NOAAs Sea Grant...
Profiles in Courage
As the largest development proposal ever seen in Raleigh, John Kane’s Downtown South Project challenges all the normal processes for judging community impacts and benefits. The political pressure for quick approval is equally off the charts, so much so that the City...
Baldwin & Council majority set surprise Dec. 15 public hearing on Kane’s “Downtown South” scheme: Fast-track to approval?
The Planning Commission is still looking at it, and City Council was not scheduled to meet again until January. You know, "Deck the Halls?" Until, that is, Mayor Baldwin and her band of Council followers stepped in to fast-track developer John Kane's "Downtown South"...
At Kane site in South Raleigh, residents choose a new neighborhood over a 2nd Downtown
Until Kane pitched his “New Downtown” scheme, the City showed smaller-scale “Transit-Oriented Development” on South Wilmington Street — because it’s a future Bus Rapid Transit corridor.
Stick to the Plan — Raleigh’s Comprehensive Plan
Raleigh’s Comprehensive Plan makes a clear commitment to sustainability and focuses on the “interdependent relationships of environmental stewardship, economic strength and social integrity.” It emphasizes the provision of economic and housing opportunities for all segments of the population in all areas of the city… including “aging in place.” It strongly promotes protection, restoration and preservation of the environment and existing neighborhoods; “of careful infill development that complements existing character and responds to natural features” … “the conservation of urban, suburban and native forests” … “preserving its natural landscapes” … “wildlife and habitat protection” and on and on.
Yolanda Taylor shares recommendations from the Wake County Housing Justice Coalition
Now that voters have passed an affordable housing bond in Raleigh, it's time to roll up our sleeves and remain engaged. Here are recommendations from the Wake County Housing Justice Coalition's Yolanda Taylor for a plan forward towards ensuring that Raleigh grows as...