What’s the point of a Comp Plan if you don’t follow it?

What’s the point of a Comp Plan if you don’t follow it?

Is it worth it to devastate a neighborhood and deviate from the comprehensive plan because we have a developer that wants to build but needs to go big to make it economically viable and conveniently has a willing partner that is unfortunately in bad financial shape (St Marks UMC)? Raleigh can con5nue to be great and growing but it cannot be at the expense of our exis5ng neighborhoods and our quality of life. Our neighborhoods matter, the families that call these neighborhoods home matter.

Missing Middle – Unintended Side Effects

Missing Middle – Unintended Side Effects

John Kitto and his wife live in Raleigh’s Woodcrest neighborhood. He spoke to City Council about the unintended side effects his family will experience from the Missing Middle policies.

Supply, demand, and poorly focused density planning are causing a shortage of truly affordable housing – not zoning.

Supply, demand, and poorly focused density planning are causing a shortage of truly affordable housing – not zoning.

Missing Middle will not repair our history of racist redlining. With all the discussion of zoning’s racist past, there is surprisingly no discussion to ensure that zoning changes will result in more equitable and truly affordable housing choices. It appears that our racist past has been weaponized to support changes that in the end may do nothing to repair it other than providing more opportunities for the building industry. 

April 4, 2023 City Council Meetings

April 4, 2023 City Council Meetings

HIGHLIGHTS Councilor Patton absent and excused Voted unanimously to appropriate $10,000 from Council Contingency to support the United Arts Council’s Annual Gala Voted unanimously to approve $492,231 from ARPA funds for Legal Aid of North...
Raleigh facing issues similar to Durham

Raleigh facing issues similar to Durham

As density increases, the need for conscious, deliberate stormwater and other utility planning also increases. Instead, three years ago, the city decided to allow individual developers to do as they please “as of right.” Now the city denies any responsibility for the predictable mayhem that is resulting. My neighbor’s flooding is just one real-world example of the problems that occur when the city abandons its responsibility for strategic growth planning and oversight, and instead deregulates development.

March 21, 2023 City Council Work Session and Afternoon Session

March 21, 2023 City Council Work Session and Afternoon Session

HIGHLIGHTS Longtime City Clerk Gail Smith was honored at her last meeting upon her retirement Public Comments focused on negative impacts of Missing Middle and other rezoning actions that will harm existing neighborhoods, difficulties in engaging with the City,...
The Missing Middle Fiasco: 8 Things The New City Council Should Do Quickly

The Missing Middle Fiasco: 8 Things The New City Council Should Do Quickly

A more sensible approach would’ve been incremental, introducing MM reforms in neighborhoods where actual frequent transit service is available within short walking distances. As frequent transit routes are added, MM’s application could be expanded.
Reining in the worst aspects of this MM giveaway to the development industry is a big test for the new Council. Hope they’re up to it.

Raleigh’s Zoning Code, It’s not a BUG, It’s a FEATURE

Raleigh’s Zoning Code, It’s not a BUG, It’s a FEATURE

Let’s stipulate a couple of points up front. Missing Middle, done well, is a good thing. But….What the previous Council produced is MM done deviously, and sloppily. Much of it, in fact, undermines the whole premise of MM, which is to offer an increased number of affordable-housing options than would exist without it.