UpZoning 101: The Money and Politics of Growing Raleigh

Even though Shelley Lake neighbors were joined by literally thousands of Raleigh residents in petitioning the Council to protect Shelley Lake Park, Council, by a 7 to 1 vote, continued its pursuit of density wherever profitable, regardless of the impacts. Here are 5 lessons the Shelley Lake neighbors learned, and what neighbors of future upzonings can expect from this Council:

Melton flip-flop

Melton flip-flop

Let’s be very clear. There is one and only one reason the council abolished CACs. They wanted to eliminate the independent voices of citizens involved in rezoning cases as payment to the developers who paid for their campaigns.

Delivering for Barnhill

Delivering for Barnhill

Hillsborough-Wade CAC Chair Donna Bailey spoke at the July 7 Raleigh City Council meeting on Mayor Baldwin’s conflicts of interest.

Show me the money!

Show me the money!

Do you have any idea how much money was spent to win the seats on Raleigh's City Council? Do you have any idea where all that money came from? Do you know who is expecting a return on their investments?   The data is all available in the campaign finance reports...