Raleigh’s stately oaks
slain by greed and apathy
fall with silent screams
— Terry Snyder
A New Year’s Resolution: Engage with us! Negotiate for us!
Dear Mayor and City Council, As we start a new year, it is typical to make resolutions for self-betterment and better times in the upcoming year. I am no different. However my resolutions are for the Mayor and Council as we move forward in 2022. On behalf of the...
City Council, Community Engagement and the Code of Conduct
Tim Niles, a founding member of Livable Raleigh, delivered the following remarks to City Council during Public Comments on January 4, 2022:210 days ago, in a secret plot, with no public notice, no public input and no public vote, you moved your election by eight...
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...
One more reason to recall Baldwin – Raleigh does exist outside the belt line – Guest Commentary
Kris Door, a North Raleigh resident, submitted the following commentary to the N&O as a letter to the editor. It was not published. We are publishing it here as part of our series of Community Voices. There are many reasons why Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin should...
Poor Communities Are Not Devoid of Hope or Role Models, Just Resources
In the current issue of INDYWeek, Courtney Napier challenges Raleigh City Councilor Buffkin's assertion that the children of poor people need wealthier people as role models. What follows are some excerpts from her piece: As I was putting the finishing touches on a...
‘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...
ALERT: Major Changes in Development Regulations Being Proposed for Lower Density Neighborhoods
See footnote for more information about image above. Longtime Raleigh resident Philip Poe weighs in on TC-5-20. Phil has served as Chair of the RCAC, Chair of the Five Points CAC, and was a member of the UDO Advisory Group Whenever City Council schedules an important...
Mayor Baldwin dismisses Raleigh’s Black community again and again
Raleigh citizens should not be surprised by Mayor Baldwin’s bewilderment about “Is North Carolina losing interest in racial justice and equity?”. (N&O Editorial, May 27, 2021) An excerpt from the editorial is here. The full piece is available at the link above:...
A taxpayer giveaway for a stadium right now is indefensible
For those who want to learn more about TIGs, please join Livable Raleigh this Saturday at 10am for a free community conversation with a panel of experts.
You can register at bit.ly/TIG-forum