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INDY Week’s Best of Wake County 2024

INDY Week’s Best of Wake County 2024

The readers of INDY Week have nominated us as the “BEST LOCAL ACTIVIST GROUP”. We are humbled. It’s an honor just to be nominated. Also… WE WANT TO WIN. Voting is open March 27 thru April 17

Which Meeting Is Raleigh’s Future?

Which Meeting Is Raleigh’s Future?

As the new Council leaders work to restore government transparency, integrity and trust, we hope they’ll encourage the Planning Director to take a closer look at his scope of work for the new 2050 Comprehensive Plan. The new scope should seek out the best consultants, the best Comp Plan models (like Minneapolis), and the best practices for empowering resident input.

Raleigh continues losing urban trees

Raleigh continues losing urban trees

As a city, we are currently not doing a very good job on two fronts: having a strong and aggressive program educating citizens and the building industry on the importance of tree preservation/protection, and, having some common sense regulations in place that will result in a better outcome for trees in the city.

March 19 City Council Meetings

March 19 City Council Meetings

HIGHLIGHTS Councilor Branch is absent and excused. Transit budget facing $8.2M deficit, even assuming resumption of fares on July 1, 2024. Several options proposed for addressing. Public comments covered rezoning issues, bus ridership, Prince Hall District, natural...

Neighborhood Meeting Attendance Trending Down!

Neighborhood Meeting Attendance Trending Down!

Now that CACs have been reinstated with recognition from the city, we think it’s a good time to review the latest data for the Neighborhood Meetings. What we found is quite disturbing. The attendance at the meetings is getting worse, not better over time.

Seeking Redemption as Baldwin Fades

Seeking Redemption as Baldwin Fades

Come November, Raleigh voters may be willing to chalk up the vote to sack CACs as a bad rookie error. More telling will be if voters accept candid apologies for subverting our voting rights. If so, voters may be willing to give Branch, Forte or Melton another chance in office.

Zoning proposal threatens Raleigh’s water supply

Zoning proposal threatens Raleigh’s water supply

Scientific studies have shown that nothing is better for a water supply than being surrounded by naturally forested land. Not only does a leaf canopy break up falling raindrops, but leaf litter beneath the trees can hold a lot of rainwater until it soaks into the ground. When it comes to protecting water quality, we have to be both unyielding and uncompromising in our efforts. Clean water is our lifeblood with respect to both our physical and economic health.

Silenced voices will speak the loudest

Silenced voices will speak the loudest

When leadership fails to listen or blatantly disregards or dismisses their constituents, it creates a harsh disconnect between the government and the people it serves. This can and has led to feelings of frustration, anger, and ultimately a breakdown in trust between the community and its leaders.

Tax Season Fraud Alert – Advice from Raleigh PD

Tax Season Fraud Alert – Advice from Raleigh PD

Attendees at February’s North CAC meeting received some great advice from RPD representatives. Every month at the North CAC meeting we hear a report from RPD officers who come to give details and take questions from those in attendance. This month the officers came with some extra timey advice to avoid tax season scams.

City Council should set a tax rate that is revenue neutral

City Council should set a tax rate that is revenue neutral

As both a real estate appraiser and a broker, I have been fielding a lot of questions from friends and clients who are very worried about how much higher their property taxes might become. There are people in Wake County who can absorb a higher tax rate, but here are a lot of folks who will not be able to do so.

It’s time to Wake UP to facts.

It’s time to Wake UP to facts.

Tim Niles submitted a Letter to the Editor of the N&O in response to an Op-Ed from the Director of WakeUP Wake County on the topic of the New Bern Avenue upzoning proposal. The LTE wasn’t published so we are printing it.

Token gestures of affordability are not good enough

Token gestures of affordability are not good enough

This is the 3rd TOD case that has come before you with a token gesture of affordability. I have no doubt developers will continue to find ways around providing affordable units needed for BRT to be successful. By far, the most troubling statement in the staff report that you need to pay attention to is, “by adding the TOD, the site will have increased residential entitlement WITHOUT having to incorporate affordability measures.” However you crunch the numbers on the affordable housing condition that’s been provided, it doesn’t add up to a good decision. If you approve this rezoning, you will grant MORE entitlement than the current zoning WITHOUT the affordability requirement.

February 20, 2024 City Council Meetings

February 20, 2024 City Council Meetings

HIGHLIGHTS At work session staff outlined plan for adopting a new comprehensive plan. A robust community engagement process is proposed. Hopefully they will include presentations to CACs. Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-4-23: Downtown Transition Areas...