Former Mayor McFarlane asks City Council to DENY North Hills rezoning

Former Mayor McFarlane asks City Council to DENY North Hills rezoning

by | Jan 18, 2026 |

Nancy McFarlane served on Raleigh’s City Council from 2007 through 2019, as Mayor from 2011 through 2019. She sent an email to the current City Council expressing her views on the proposed rezoning of North Hills. “Now comes the difficult part for the city council. They have a staff report that claims the proposed rezoning is compliant with the comprehensive plan. One of the tenets of the plan is the transition from dense areas to the single-family homes around them. This request does not comply with that. It does not comply with the Small Area Plan.”

Development without Infrastructure Planning

Development without Infrastructure Planning

by | Jan 3, 2026 |

This is not the first time that this case is being presented. The only thing that has changed is the composition of the Council and Mayor. You are again being asked to judge the elements of the application with the same guidance that was in place when this case was previously presented five years ago. The same inconsistencies exist now that existed then. It is not a complicated case unless you choose to create guidelines beyond those already clearly defined in the Midtown – Saint Albans area plan and 2030 Comprehensive plan.

City Council Meetings October 14, 2025

City Council Meetings October 14, 2025

by | Oct 15, 2025 |

Updates on the Comp Plan and the Mobility Study. Public comments on the noise ordinance as well as the Big Branch Greenway connector, changes to City Boards and Commissions, community engagement, Dix Park, and issues with GoRaleigh. A number of bus drivers are concerned about their own safety and other working conditions.

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

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

by | Oct 4, 2025 |

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

by | Sep 30, 2025 |

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.

Planning Department Fantasy!

Planning Department Fantasy!

by | Sep 29, 2025 |

Our Comprehensive Plan says building heights should transition from the Central Business District to residential neighborhoods. The planner says 30 stories is transition. FANTASY!!

Z-12-25 Stomps on Raleigh’s Comp Plan

Z-12-25 Stomps on Raleigh’s Comp Plan

by | Sep 28, 2025 |

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

by | Sep 21, 2025 |

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.

Why Z-12-25 (The West Street Tower) Fails Raleigh’s Vision

Why Z-12-25 (The West Street Tower) Fails Raleigh’s Vision

by | Sep 14, 2025 |

Raleigh needs growth, but growth must be responsible. The 2030CP and ETOD establish a framework where context, transitions, and neighborhood protection guide how and where height happens. Z-12-25 proposes 240-360 foot towers just steps from a historic neighborhood. This is inconsistent with adopted plans, sets a dangerous precedent, and undermines Raleigh’s planning tools.