Mitchell Silver
Name: Mitchell Silver
Which office are you seeking? City Council District A
Campaign website: silverforraleigh.com
The income of many households in Raleigh is too high to qualify for income-restricted/subsidized housing, yet these residents are cost-burdened by climbing prices and rents across market-rate housing. Explain at least 2 policies you will seek to implement to address the rising costs of market-rate housing in Raleigh.
First, I would advocate expanding housing production and choices to help meet the current demand for housing in Raleigh. This should include expanding the availability of townhomes, duplexes, and other “missing middle” housing and apartment buildings in key areas identified by the comprehensive plan. Second, I would urge the approval process to be streamlined and regulations to be amended to reduce the cost of housing production.
What is an issue in Raleigh that deserves critical attention, but isn't talked about much in the media or the community because it's not sensational or obviously apparent?
Climate change. We are seeing the effects of climate change on our city every day – unpredictable weather events, increased flooding, and record temperatures. There are important steps we must take as a city to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This includes protecting and expanding our tree canopy, preserving parks and natural spaces, increasing the use of renewable energy, and reducing emissions.
How will you balance the interests of individuals with those of the general public? Especially when voting on an issue that will negatively impact a small, but vocal group of residents, but which offers significant benefits to the general public?
As a professional planner and an appointed official, I have always prioritized the public health, safety, and welfare of all residents. This commitment will remain the same as an elected official. I believe in the importance of public input in decision-making, and I am dedicated to planning for the present and future generations. I will help communities heal from past harms and avoid creating new ones. As a council member, I will carefully weigh the input from my constituents and consider the current and future implications of an issue. In a growing city, we face opportunities, challenges, and tough choices. We must remember that when we say “no” to something, we saying “yes” to something else. If we say no to development in already dense places like downtown, we are saying yes to higher prices in neighborhoods and increased displacement.
Should Council allow more Missing Middle housing (duplex, triplex, townhomes and small apartment buildings) to be built in the City? If yes, how would you accomplish this? If not, why not?
Yes, we should rely on the comprehensive plan and our public engagement process to determine the best areas to emphasize the addition of missing middle housing.
Should the City continue investing in Bus Rapid Transit? If so, what additional investments and/or land use regulatory changes should the City make to support the successful implementation of the Western and Southern corridors? If no, why?
Yes. Our Comprehensive Plan envisioned 8 growth centers connected by 12 multi-modal corridors and we should look to these areas as potential places to expand Bus Rapid Transit. The Western and Southern corridors are 2 of the 12 multi-modal corridors adopted in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The Future Land Use anticipated higher densities along the multi-modal corridors. The zoning map should be amended to fulfill the aspirations of the Comprehensive Plan after public engagement is conducted to address past harms and ensure growth is equitable and sustainable around transit.
What is your vision for how Raleigh’s built environment should evolve over the next 10 years?
The Growth Framework Map in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan has been an invaluable tool to guide Raleigh’s growth. As we look to the next 10 years, Raleigh must build on the Growth Framework and ensure the city is connected via public transportation, including commuter rail, and has walkable mixed-use centers and neighborhoods that allow for basic errands to be accomplished without a car.
How would you change the way the City's Office of Community Engagement operates?
The Office of Community Engagement is new and the community outreach approach still evolving. As a public engagement expert with 40 years of experience, I will offer my advice to ensure the office excels in engaging and listening to meet community expectations.
Should the City preserve existing moderately priced housing (Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing) to help slow the rate of resident displacement? If yes, please provide 2-3 specific policies that you would ask your fellow Councilors to support. If no, what other policies do you support to address resident displacement?
Yes. I recently worked with a city to craft an anti-displacement strategy that responded to listening sessions and direct interviews with residents. Some of the solutions introduced included home repair and modification grants, funding a tenant-based eviction prevention program, and ensuring equitable appraisal methodologies.