RALEIGH GROWTH The writer is former chair of the Raleigh Planning Commission In his Jan. 10 column, Ned Barnett argues that leaving growth management solutions to localities worsens the problems associated with rapid growth. An understatement for sure. Click on image...
Adding Density without Infrastructure Planning Makes No Sense; So Why Are We Doing It?
Midtown Raleigh resident Larry Helfant shares his insights and concerns about deficiencies in Raleigh’s planning for growth. The recently announced phase of the North Hills expansion (Z-67-21) will result in a further degradation of neighborhood quality to the people...
Stop Signs, Stop Lights, and the Environment
Janis Ramquist submitted this blog to Livable Raleigh. She has been a Wake County resident since 1981. Janis says “I want my grandchildren to enjoy a clean environment, especially with simple choices that are safe and less costly.” Have you noticed the explosion of...
This week in INDY Backtalk
INDY Week Published Backtalk the same day they published the winners of their "Best Of" series and we now have a bit more understanding of why the readers chose us as Best Local Activist Group. The readers' comments in "Backtalk:Wants to be Charlotte So Bad" sound...
What really happened at the July 6 Council Meeting – don’t be fooled by the clickbait!
If you were to consult local media, you would think the most important things that happened at the July 6 City Council meeting involved hairstyle discrimination and exotic snakes. Or you might mistakenly think that Council took action to address affordable housing...
‘Density Anywhere’ rules will backfire, intensifying traffic congestion, stormwater runoff, loss of tree canopy, and making Raleigh’s affordable housing crisis worse.
As written, TC-5-20 will accelerate the demolition of affordable units in affordable neighborhoods in favor of high-profit infill as shown here. Without affordability protections, TC-5-20 will only increase housing costs and accelerate Raleigh’s affordable housing...
Stewart’s self-praise contradicts her endlessly anti-environmental votes
Mayor Pro Tem Nicole Stewart began a recent self-promotional blog by asking how we can “work together to build housing that is both good for our people and better for the environment?” Based on Stewart's voting record, she doesn't know the answer. In fact, Raleigh...
Budget Busting Bus Shelters
At-Large Councilor Melton is excited to spend an extra $720,000 on designer bus shelters. Bus rider Lenora Southerland just wants a place to sit while she waits. Instead of moving quickly to add bus benches and shelters at more than 1,000 bus stops with neither,...
City Council Appears to Listen
During the Public Comment session of the City Council meeting on April 22, both Susan Maruyama and Chantelle Miles addressed the recent N&O article concerning the lack of benches at 70% of Raleigh bus stops. They asked the council to show compassion to...
Raleigh Affordable Housing: a Step in the Right Direction
The News & Observer reported on April 15 that the City of Raleigh has purchased almost 4 acres of land for future affordable housing. The land is along New Bern Avenue where the City is planning a future bus rapid transit line. This is a perfect location for more...









