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Urgent SE Raleigh Issue

Urgent SE Raleigh Issue

We are on notice from the City of Raleigh. If you haven’t had the opportunity to drive through Southeast Raleigh and notice the change in the place – you need to do so.

Is Affordable Housing really Affordable?

Is Affordable Housing really Affordable?

Generally affordable is defined as requiring no more than 30% of a household’s income being spent on housing. For the City of Raleigh, affordability is based on a percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI). Housing funded by the city is defined as affordable if it is in reach of those earning between 30% – 80% AMI. Without knowing what Raleigh’s AMI is or what local salaries are, there really is no way of knowing who affordable housing is affordable for. What we learn when we know the numbers is that to truly be affordable, Raleigh needs to focus its housing efforts at 60% AMI and BELOW.

New Bern Ave Public Hearing Comments

New Bern Ave Public Hearing Comments

Several members of the public spoke in opposition to the mass upzoning proposed for New Bern Ave through the city-initiated case Z-92-22. We are publishing a selection of those comments made by speakers who have given us permission to print their comments.

City Council Meetings 2.6.24

City Council Meetings 2.6.24

Highlights City Council voted unanimously to restore a relationship with Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs) to include free monthly access to meeting rooms, provision of technology to support virtual meetings, and support for capability building for future leaders At...

CACs Are Back, We’re Taking Down the Clock!

CACs Are Back, We’re Taking Down the Clock!

Livable Raleigh, a citizens group advocating for effective community engagement on city issues, congratulates City Council for its decision today reinstating Citizens Advisory Councils. The decision pushed by Mayor Baldwin four years ago to cut off the CACs was a mistake, and the vacuum it created has been apparent in the years since then. Today’s decision begins to rectify that mistake.

Don’t Ban Video Presentations

Don’t Ban Video Presentations

when I have used presentations, they have allowed me to better show the orientation of a townhome development proposed in the single family neighborhood of Woodcrest. I have used presentations to show where mixed-use development would be beneficial along major traffic arteries.

January 30, 2024 City Council Meeting Highlights

January 30, 2024 City Council Meeting Highlights

A. 7:00 P.M. EVENING AGENDA B. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR C. MATTERS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING 1. Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-7-22: New Bern Station Area Planning 2. Rezoning Z-92-22: New Bern Station Area Planning, 744...

Z-92, a truly deceptive, destructive plan

Z-92, a truly deceptive, destructive plan

Please, ask yourself why staff is proposing to put the TOD overlay in place and then, head fake! Wipe it out in the same rezoning case with a totally unrelated and massive up-zoning of 744 properties. Ask yourself why Mayor Baldwin thinks that’s a good idea.

Property valuation increases come with a cost

Property valuation increases come with a cost

A neighborhood is most fortunate when it is somewhere in the middle: Prosperous enough that residents can live in safety, and find it worthwhile to maintain their homes, but not so prosperous that residency is determined only by income, and the soul of the neighborhood is lost.

CITY COUNCIL RETREAT – JANUARY 26 & 27, 2024

CITY COUNCIL RETREAT – JANUARY 26 & 27, 2024

HIGHLIGHTS Typical issues with transparency. Meeting start time initially reported at 1pm, then 12noon, then livestream was supposed to start at 12:40. It actually started at 1:18pm. Apparently a panel discussion occurred when they weren’t filming and no details were...

New Bern TOD – Redo the map – apply it strategically

New Bern TOD – Redo the map – apply it strategically

On January 30th, City Council should vote against the current rezoning case and send City Planners back to the drawing board to redo the map. Wide support of the TOD can be accomplished by strategically applying it to commercial properties and open lots.  You cannot reduce the displacement pressure on the existing neighborhoods when you include those very neighborhoods in the TOD!

The Planning Commission recommends denial; you should take their advice

The Planning Commission recommends denial; you should take their advice

There are no changes or tweaks to the language that will make it acceptable. This change request by the Planning Department, not property owners, has the flavor and appearance of a public taking. If you vote in favor of this, you will be remembered as a partner in Urban Renewal.

Locals gather to hear Community Leaders discuss mass upzoning plans for New Bern Ave

Locals gather to hear Community Leaders discuss mass upzoning plans for New Bern Ave

An overflow crowd turned out Sunday afternoon for Livable Raleigh’s public forum to discuss a proposed upzoning of more than 700 properties along the New Bern Avenue corridor. The resounding message was to ask City Council to deny the rezoning request (Z-92-22) and to put the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) into committee for modifications. Panelists and audience members alike expressed concern about the displacement of an entire minority community. Attendees were encouraged to attend the upcoming public hearing on January 30 at 7pm at the Raleigh Municipal Building.

Official Raleigh survey – residents OPPOSE 4-Year City Council terms

Official Raleigh survey – residents OPPOSE 4-Year City Council terms

Despite having received two surveys showing lack of support for 4-year terms, council wants to ask the residents again. No District, No Age Group and No Racial or Ethnic Group show majority support for 4-year City Council terms. What part of NO are you having trouble with? Are you just planning to keep taking votes until you get the results you want?

January 16 City Council Meetings Highlights

January 16 City Council Meetings Highlights

HIGHLIGHTS  Mayor Baldwin absent from Work Session and absent and excused for portion of afternoon session and for evening session. City Council Retreat will be held on Friday, January 26, from 1-5pm at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary and on Saturday, January 27,...

No timeline for parades to begin again in Raleigh

No timeline for parades to begin again in Raleigh

Raleigh city staff is now entering Year 2 of not knowing how to allow a real parade — that is, a parade like those held in every major city in America. Not only do we not have anything concrete from the City Manager, she doesn’t even have a timeline for bringing something forward for Council to consider. Meanwhile, our parades are limited to walkers and horse-drawn wagons.