Possible Missing Middle “tweaks” being discussed by Council include tree preservation and consideration of character impact of high-density housing on existing neighborhoods. These minor tweaks would amount to putting lipstick on a pig. Council was able to make controversial decisions on moving Red Hat Amphitheater and closing a traffic artery into downtown within about two months. You’ve had two years to massage and wrestle with Missing Middle, and nothing has been accomplished.
If this lawsuit succeeds, then any subdivision with or without a homeowner’s association will be at risk. The only winners will be those charging legal fees, and the losers will be homeowners who purchased their single-family homes with certain expectations related to the future of their property.
Raleigh builder is suing a whole neighborhood to have their restrictive covenants removed to enable him to build a development of 12 townhomes on two lots that are/were two single-family homes. District C Councilor Corey Branch, who represents the neighborhood, promised to do everything in his power to fix this. Branch has done nothing.
As everyone knows, you can’t have walkability without shade tree coverage. Trees are the core of environmental relief and make simple things like waiting for a bus or strolling down a sidewalk pathway more comfortable. However, in Raleigh, there are many factors that contribute to tree loss and prohibit the return of medium and large tree replacements.
Wake County Superior Court judge, in a memorandum decision, indicated the City of Raleigh Board of Adjustment (“BOA”) erred last summer when it approved the City staff’s approval of the application to build a Missing Middle compact subdivision comprised of 17 townhomes at 908 Williamson Drive.
Highlights from July 2 Council meeting and public comments
Weighing the impacts of growth on community character is not subjective. Instead, it is a key function of planning practice.
Highlights from June 18 Council work session and afternoon session
The public is losing faith in government. It’s time to step out from under administrative control and voice your independence. Listen to your electorate and be more reflective of public input.
Highlights from Work Session on Downtown and from Public Comments