Thank you for letting us all know when the king is naked!!
I appreciate your constant vigilance, your push for accountability and how you seek and embrace feedback from your members and your community of followers.
It’s OK to Say NO to a Developer
the proposed 30 story tower at Peace and West Streets would be triple the height of the building across the street where Publix is. It will grossly overpower the entire neighborhood. I am all for development within reason. It is ok to say no to a developer.
September 16, 2025 City Council Meetings
Highlights from September 16 Council Work Session and Afternoon Session
Why Z-12-25 (The West Street Tower) Fails Raleigh’s Vision
Raleigh needs growth, but growth must be responsible. The 2030CP and ETOD establish a framework where context, transitions, and neighborhood protection guide how and where height happens. Z-12-25 proposes 240-360 foot towers just steps from a historic neighborhood. This is inconsistent with adopted plans, sets a dangerous precedent, and undermines Raleigh’s planning tools.
It’s Not the City’s Responsibility to Insure Business Profits
In order to make important decisions with confidence, City Council needs good advice. The Planning Department should be working to provide you with a recommendation based on a full and rational analysis of all impacts, positive or negative, and consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. Their job is NOT to convince you the proposal is necessary and essential to the continued expansion of Raleigh’s revenue base.
Thank You for your Support
Former Mayor Meeker explained you always learn something when you listen to the public and that helps result in better decisions. He concluded by saying Livable Raleigh has strengthened our city and he looks forward to Livable Raleigh being a force going forward.
Sept 9 City Council Work Session and Public Comments Meeting
Highlights from September 9 Work Session on Dix Park and evening public comment session
Smashing through the Guardrails of Policy
Amazingly City Staff identified no detriments from this rezoning case. This proposed development is very close to a historic neighborhood. Why is there no reference in this document to Section 12 of the Comprehensive Plan regarding Historic Preservation? The first comment reads “Lack of transitions around historic resources which can sometimes lead to jarring juxtapositions of scale and proximity that detract from the character of the historic resource’s setting.” Has anybody read this or is even aware of this section of the Comprehensive Plan?
Making growth choices that will stand the test of time
Everyone agrees that more urban parks and walkable urban densities are good things, but promoters of 30 story towers next to the historic Glenwood Brooklyn neighborhood have offered no evidence that the new 12 story Publix building just across Peace Street isn’t an excellent example of what could go on the West Street site, giving the developer ample profits and urban high-rise densities without casting 30 story shadows over the neighborhood every winter morning
A Flawed Foundation for Deliberations
Staff reports carry weight in Planning Commission and City Council deliberations. When they misclassify sites, turn a blind eye to policies, minimize area plans, and claim no adverse effects, they create the illusion of consistency where none exists and inflate the benefits while minimizing impacts. This clearly affected the Planning Commission deliberations and stunted debate necessary to make an informed decision.
September 2 City Council Meetings
Highlights from September 2 City Council Meetings
4 easy steps to analyze Z-12-25, West St Tower
Staff made 4 simple analysis errors. We go through each of those errors, show you the language from city documents that was misinterpreted and give you the updated results.
Councilor Silver Must Recuse!
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.
It’s Raining It’s Pouring
I thank the City for the Rainwater Rewards program that helps citizens remove impervious surfaces or install rain gardens, to reduce runoff. I have walked the walk: I have removed three driveways from properties I have owned, and removed tons of concrete from the back yards of two other properties. Please direct staff to update our development rules, and create financial penalties per square foot of impervious surface. There are alternatives: driveway strips, permeable pavers, grill blocks, or even gravel.
Restoring CACs to their Unique & Historic Role
As far back as the Council Retreat in January 2024, the one thing that was requested to properly restore CACs was to get a seat at the table. The intent was to meet with all City departments that had a role in restoring some of the privileges that CACs had before they were suspended in 2020. To date, that has not happened.
Putting your thumb on the scale is WRONG!
The developer was claiming the site is in a Transit Station Area based on an outdated map, a false claim. Now, City Staff has joined with the applicant in making false claims. The Planning Commission did nothing to question this. City Council, it is left up to you to seek out the truth.
2025 Fall Fundraiser
Join us on Sept 7 to hear two of Raleigh’s most important leaders discuss Strengthening Community Voices and Expanding Affordable Housing. Plan to attend our fundraiser and get a chance to see inside Raleigh’s most iconic Victorian home. If you rely on the kind of...
August 19, 2025 City Council Meetings
Highlights from August 19, 2025 City Council Work Session and Afternoon Meeting
We’re on BlueSky and We’re Leaving X
Livable Raleigh is on Bluesky and We’re leaving X. @livableraleigh.bsky.social
Missing Middle’s Biggest Mistakes
Slot homes deliver Low Livability/Bad Neighborhood Form. Livability relates to quality of life for both those living within the new homes, as well as livability of adjacent homes. It is important for cities to prohibit these. Raleigh’s Missing Middle makes this number 1 mistake. You can see it in the Woodcrest neighborhood whose residents brought the issue to the City Council’s attention over a year ago.