Where is Height Transition to Neighborhoods?

Where is Height Transition to Neighborhoods?

The applicant is requesting height everywhere that is inconsistent with the zoning recommendation of the Midtown area plan, which recommends heights between 4 and 20 stories, inconsistent with the Future Land Use Map, which recommends heights between 2 and 20 stories, and inconsistent with Table LU-2, which recommends height for Regional Mixed Use at a maximum of 20 stories. So, how can the staff review determine that this application is consistent with the Future Land Use Map, the Urban Form Map, and the Zoning map of the Midtown area plan, when it clearly is not?

CBS 17 Covers Lawsuit Against City of Raleigh

CBS 17 Covers Lawsuit Against City of Raleigh

As the downtown Raleigh skyline continues to grow upward to meet housing demand, a group of downtown neighbors is asking a judge to step in, arguing the city ignored its own rules and residents’ concerns when they approved a controversial rezoning in Glenwood South in October.

David Cox announces decision

David Cox announces decision

A few weeks ago I wrote in a blog that I would consider running for Mayor of Raleigh. I stated that there is much concern about the direction of the City and many have asked that I consider returning to Council. I identified three major areas of concern.  I see these as essential issues facing the City and its future. Only with citizen involvement and a Council and Mayor willing to support its citizens will Raleigh be sustainable in the future as a desirable and affordable place to live. We can choose to be Raleigh or we can choose to be New York or Atlanta. 

City Council Disappoints Again with Z-12-25

City Council Disappoints Again with Z-12-25

The City Council’s decision to approve the rezoning case on West Street (Z-12-25), adjacent to the Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood, is hard to understand – unless, that is, you understand that a majority of Council always approves rezoning cases, no matter how outsized, because the development industry controls them.

Z-12-25 West St Tower – Video – Bring Down the Height

Z-12-25 West St Tower – Video – Bring Down the Height

The public hearing for this case will be held Tuesday, October 7 at 7pm. This public hearing will allow ONLY 8 minutes in TOTAL for those in opposition to present their case to City Council. Watch this video outlining the full fact and policy based opposition to Z-12-25. The 240’/360′ towers, in a transition area, 776′ along Historic Glenwood-Brooklyn Neighborhood only 190′ to 240′ feet from homes violates all plans, polices, urban planning guidelines and logic.

Z-12-25 does NOT meet Transit Land Use criteria

Z-12-25 does NOT meet Transit Land Use criteria

For a site to be designated as a Transit Land Use category, it must meet the definition “fronting along a corridor programmed for high-capacity, frequent bus transit.” The West St site meets ONLY the frequent transit criteria but fails the other two. It does not qualify for the Transit Land Use category.

Z-12-25 Stomps on Raleigh’s Comp Plan

Z-12-25 Stomps on Raleigh’s Comp Plan

Raleigh has the tools and the policies to manage growth responsibly. Z-12-25 ignores them. Approving this rezoning would not only damage a historic neighborhood but also set a precedent that threatens every neighborhood in Raleigh. The Comprehensive Plan shows us the path forward: moderate, context-sensitive growth that strengthens, not undermines, our city’s future.

Selective Policy Emphasis and a Disregard for Neighborhood Protections

Selective Policy Emphasis and a Disregard for Neighborhood Protections

Are we just counting which policies are convenient for a project and ignoring the ones that aren’t? This isn’t about stopping growth. It’s about rejecting a project that ignores codified transition areas, disregards protections for historic neighborhoods, and offers no real public benefit for on-site affordable housing.