by T N | Jul 7, 2025 | Blog
RDC’s claim is, “the Urban Form Map designation for this site is in the Downtown Center,” and that this designation and policies from that section support heights above 12 stories. This is misleading. While it is true that the Urban Form Map UD-1 (UFM) places the site within the Downtown and Core Transit areas, this designation is not a direct basis for determining allowable height or density. it’s important to clarify a potential source of confusion. The site is designated Core Transit on the Urban Form Map but that is not the same as the Core/Transit category referenced in Table LU-2, which is a distinct classification tied to specific definitions
by T N | Jul 2, 2025 | Blog
Wake County zoned the Odd Fellows Tract back to low density residential in 1982 (Wake County R-40, 1 house per acre). The quarry (and the proposed “entertainment district” on the forested acres of Lake Crabtree) are not authorized uses in this Wake County zoning district. Unfortunately, the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA) has chosen to ignore this Wake County zoning, and Wake County has thus far failed to enforce it. You can help by taking action!
by T N | Jul 2, 2025 | Blog
Highlights from July 1 City Council Afternoon and Evening Sessions
by T N | Jun 29, 2025 | Blog
While the developer’s argument relied on selected pieces of the Comprehensive Plan, it reflected a common rezoning tactic: cherry-picking policies to justify a predetermined outcome. But when viewed in full context, the city’s adopted plans and policies provide clear, balanced guidance.
by T N | Jun 25, 2025 | Blog
Citizens’ Assemblies are not a silver bullet, but they are a powerful supplement to representative democracy. By fostering informed, inclusive debate, they help bridge the gap between the public and policymakers—and reinvigorate democratic governance for the 21st century.
by S M | Jun 25, 2025 | Blog
Minutes from the June 24 PC Meeting
by T N | Jun 24, 2025 | Blog
2nd Developer Hosted Neighbors’ Meeting. We need to make ourselves heard. It is about all Raleigh neighborhoods and Raleigh’s Future. This is a BAD project for Raleigh and would set a dangerous precedent that will affect all neighborhoods. Wear RED and PACK the ROOM
by T N | Jun 22, 2025 | Blog
The city has had noise ordinance rules for years. After a two year process the city introduced a new noise ordinance in January 2024, and then revised that ordinance in January 2025. RPD is not following the city-written, council-passed noise ordinance. They have ceased giving out citations with only two citations being given out in January 2025 for the 161 noise complaint calls total to June 3rd 2025 in the Glenwood Hospitality district.
by S M | Jun 17, 2025 | Blog
Highlights from June 17 City Council Work Session and Afternoon Session
by T N | Jun 15, 2025 | Blog
The Raleigh Fire Department (RFD) is at least 200 firefighter positions short. When including the current 50 known vacancies, they are 250 firefighters short of the manpower needed to fully protect this City today. Raleigh has not added any new firefighter positions since 2014, while experiencing rapid population growth and development. Let’s be clear. RFD is requesting the same benefit paid between retirement and age 62 that RPD officers have been receiving since 1987.
by T N | Jun 11, 2025 | Blog
The West St property is NOT in the Core of Downtown. It is defined by the city as being on the edge of the Central Business District and as a designated Transition Area. If you want to build 30 & 40 story buildings, build all of them you want to in the CORE of downtown. Those properties are already zoned for 40 stories and have been for several years.
by S M | Jun 10, 2025 | Blog
Highlights from June 9 Budget work session, June 10 work session, and June 10 public comments section
by T N | Jun 6, 2025 | Blog
Anderson Forest residents would like to join with Crabtree Heights residents in opposing all three proposed routes for the Big Branch Greenway Connector. Both neighborhoods share concerns about safety, privacy and environmental impact.
by S M | Jun 5, 2025 | Blog
Summary of the May 27 Planning Commission meeting
by T N | Jun 5, 2025 | Blog
The “streamside” option along the Big Branch creek would route the connector across city and little used private pieces of land. It already looks like a greenway and avoids car and truck traffic. The two other options the city lists would bring greenway users into regular contact with cars, trucks and service vehicles. If the city selects either of the two options going through this neighborhood, it will be devastating for a long surviving Raleigh neighborhood and it will be a radical, very un-greenway greenway project. Either of these two options would be more of an urban path than actual greenway as the trail would move along roads, across one street, and require the cutting down of many of the currently surviving trees and bushes in the neighborhood, leaving a pavement-centric greenery-bare trail.
by T N | Jun 4, 2025 | Blog
In the discussion of the 30-story Tower proposed for West Street, a location in a designated Downtown Transition Area, those opposed to the proposal have pointed out that it violates 4 City Plans and 47 policies. In response, those who are supporting the proposal make the claim that those plans are out of date and should be ignored. The plans are NOT OUT OF DATE. Let’s look at the facts.
by S M | Jun 3, 2025 | Blog
Summary of June 3 Council meeting, including the fact that leaf collection will transition to a weekly year-round enhanced yard waste collection service beginning in Fall 2026.
by S M | Jun 2, 2025 | Blog
Focus of the budget work session was a separation allowance for Raleigh Firefighters.
by T N | Jun 2, 2025 | Blog
The late great James West served on this Council from District C for ten years. Dr. West said “It is not the duty of City Council to ensure developer profits. The duty of City Council is to serve all the citizens of Raleigh, to improve their quality of life.”
by T N | Jun 1, 2025 | Blog
It would be reasonable for you to believe that once Silver was elected to City Council in November 2024, just one year after being paid to represent the West St property owner, he would feel obligated to recuse himself from any future City Council actions related to this property. But, Silver has stated publicly that he has no intention of recusing himself from voting on this rezoning case when it comes before the City Council.
