by T N | Oct 6, 2025 | Blog
I was elected three times and was honored to serve District B and the City for seven years. Despite not being on Council since 2022, I continue to hear from people. There is much concern about the direction of the City and many have asked that I consider returning to Council. As with the first time I ran, I need good reasons to run. I take serving seriously and never had a desire to run just for the sake of running. I want to be clear that I have not made a decision to actually run. If I do, I will run for Mayor. And here are some of the reasons why.
by T N | Oct 4, 2025 | Blog
The public hearing for this case will be held Tuesday, October 7 at 7pm. This public hearing will allow ONLY 8 minutes in TOTAL for those in opposition to present their case to City Council. Watch this video outlining the full fact and policy based opposition to Z-12-25. The 240’/360′ towers, in a transition area, 776′ along Historic Glenwood-Brooklyn Neighborhood only 190′ to 240′ feet from homes violates all plans, polices, urban planning guidelines and logic.
by T N | Oct 2, 2025 | Blog
I honestly have to ask – why seek public input if it’s not reflected in the analysis? Community engagement should serve as an opportunity to either mitigate community concerns or provide a transparent and respectful explanation when disagreement exists.
by T N | Sep 30, 2025 | Blog
For a site to be designated as a Transit Land Use category, it must meet the definition “fronting along a corridor programmed for high-capacity, frequent bus transit.” The West St site meets ONLY the frequent transit criteria but fails the other two. It does not qualify for the Transit Land Use category.
by T N | Sep 29, 2025 | Blog
Our Comprehensive Plan says building heights should transition from the Central Business District to residential neighborhoods. The planner says 30 stories is transition. FANTASY!!
by T N | Sep 28, 2025 | Blog
Raleigh has the tools and the policies to manage growth responsibly. Z-12-25 ignores them. Approving this rezoning would not only damage a historic neighborhood but also set a precedent that threatens every neighborhood in Raleigh. The Comprehensive Plan shows us the path forward: moderate, context-sensitive growth that strengthens, not undermines, our city’s future.
by S M | Sep 27, 2025 | Blog
Council retreat focused on Federal Grants, Legislative Agenda, Steady State Bonds, “Big Ideas,” the next Comprehensive Plan, and Expansion of Affordable Housing Sites
by T N | Sep 24, 2025 | Blog
City Councilors, it is your job to make sure that city staff knows that their job is to protect the interests of the people that live in Raleigh, not to just make things easy for businesses and developers.
by T N | Sep 22, 2025 | Blog
The materials being presented by the Planning Department in support of Z-12-25 do not create a complete picture or analysis that is useful for basing your decision on this third round of change requests for these particular parcels. A good analysis of compatibility should take a broad view of relevant rules, plans and guidance, and it should reflect stakeholder input with integrity. Given the inadequacies of the materials provided to you, there is no way you can come to a rational conclusion of consistency with the comprehensive plan.
by T N | Sep 21, 2025 | Blog
Are we just counting which policies are convenient for a project and ignoring the ones that aren’t? This isn’t about stopping growth. It’s about rejecting a project that ignores codified transition areas, disregards protections for historic neighborhoods, and offers no real public benefit for on-site affordable housing.
by T N | Sep 17, 2025 | Blog
I appreciate your constant vigilance, your push for accountability and how you seek and embrace feedback from your members and your community of followers.
by T N | Sep 16, 2025 | Blog
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.
by S M | Sep 16, 2025 | Blog
Highlights from September 16 Council Work Session and Afternoon Session
by T N | Sep 14, 2025 | Blog
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.
by T N | Sep 10, 2025 | Blog
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.
by T N | Sep 10, 2025 | Blog
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.
by S M | Sep 9, 2025 | Blog
Highlights from September 9 Work Session on Dix Park and evening public comment session
by T N | Sep 9, 2025 | Blog
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?
by T N | Sep 7, 2025 | Blog
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
by T N | Sep 3, 2025 | Blog
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.
