October 1, 2024 City Council Meeting
Highlights from the October 1 City Council meeting.
UNNEIGHBORLY: The impact of Missing Middle on Woodcrest
Possible Missing Middle “tweaks” being discussed by Council include tree preservation and consideration of character impact of high-density housing on existing neighborhoods. These minor tweaks would amount to putting lipstick on a pig. Council was able to make controversial decisions on moving Red Hat Amphitheater and closing a traffic artery into downtown within about two months. You’ve had two years to massage and wrestle with Missing Middle, and nothing has been accomplished.
Ignoring covenants encourages their violation
If this lawsuit succeeds, then any subdivision with or without a homeowner’s association will be at risk. The only winners will be those charging legal fees, and the losers will be homeowners who purchased their single-family homes with certain expectations related to the future of their property.
Redefining Representation: The Critical Need for a Larger City Council in Raleigh
As Raleigh continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, the stakes have never been higher for our city’s future. We’re witnessing a city transforming before our eyes—new developments, some booming businesses, and an influx of new residents. But with this rapid growth comes a critical challenge that we cannot afford to ignore: the need for a more expansive and accessible City Council that truly represents all of Raleigh’s diverse communities.
City budgeting engagement opportunities
Usually I’m up here complaining about things the city does, but I want to be clear that I think last year’s budget engagement was an overall positive experience, but I still think it could be better.
City Council fiddles while neighborhoods are sued
Raleigh builder is suing a whole neighborhood to have their restrictive covenants removed to enable him to build a development of 12 townhomes on two lots that are/were two single-family homes. District C Councilor Corey Branch, who represents the neighborhood, promised to do everything in his power to fix this. Branch has done nothing.
Raleigh’s Community Engagement Office knocks it out of the ballpark!
Raleigh’s Community Engagement Office held the first Engage Raleigh: Community and Neighborhood Expo on Saturday, September 7. The Expo was a great networking opportunity that brought many community organizations together for the first time with departments from the City of Raleigh.
City Ordinance is Killing Street Food Vendors
I’m willing to believe that you weren’t aware of the nature and timing of sales in my little niche business area. I’m willing to chalk this up to the realm of unintended consequences. You didn’t know. You didn’t realize. I sincerely hope that’s the case anyway.
But you know now. I beg you to do something about it.
The Price of Progress: The 911 Crisis No One’s Talking About
Please don’t sacrifice our safety and quality of life for short-term gains. Let’s make sure that as our city grows, our emergency services grow too. Because the next person who hears ‘Please hold’ in an emergency might not have a second chance.
September 10 City Council Meeting
Highlights from the September 10 work session and public comment session
Red Hat Amphitheater – Terrible Planning by the City
The sad tale of the Red Hat Amphitheater is, at its root, an example of the city of Raleigh’s inability to plan.
September 3, 2024 City Council Meeting
Highlights from the September 3 City Council meeting.
CACs are back, or are they?
The RCAC and CACs look forward to establishing a workable partnership with Council and staff in an atmosphere of trust and transparency that benefits both the City and its residents. CACs have a historical place in Raleigh’s past. They were created by Council action and have served as a valuable resource to the City and community. There is no other voluntary community group that has that distinction.
City Council Candidate Finance Reports
If you are looking for the candidates’ financial reports to review who is funding their campaigns, we have the step by step instructions showing you how to find the data on the Wake County Board of Elections website. Start by going to the Board’s Home page here: Wake County BOE
Raleigh Voters say Growth Pains are Up, but Council is Listening Less
There are some disturbing trends highlighted in the results in our 2024 public opinion survey as compared to 2022. Here we compare 5 questions that were asked in 2022 and asked again in 2024
Council Candidates are asked about the RDU Quarry
The City of Raleigh is one of four owners of the Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU). Natalie Lew is asking all City Council candidates to respond to questions about the proposed expansion of the RDU Quarry. If candidates respond, we will publish those responses.
August 20, 2024 City Council Work Session and Afternoon Meeting
Highlights from 8/20/24 City Council Work Session and Afternoon Session
Position Statement – Boylan Heights Neighborhood Association
Whereas the Boylan Heights Association supports the Red Hat Amphitheater remaining downtown, the Association requests that the City of Raleigh provide multiple plans with public input for the design of the amphitheater without closing South St., before development decisions are finalized.
Engagement and Transparency missing in Red Hat decision
Residents want better communication with city leaders and a review of the Red Hat Amphitheater’s future. This echoes a pattern of residents and business owners feeling less secure about the current leadership’s decisions.
The City of Lost Oaks
As everyone knows, you can’t have walkability without shade tree coverage. Trees are the core of environmental relief and make simple things like waiting for a bus or strolling down a sidewalk pathway more comfortable. However, in Raleigh, there are many factors that contribute to tree loss and prohibit the return of medium and large tree replacements.