December 3: The week ahead in Raleigh
In 2021, a Council-appointed study group recommended a number of changes to the way City Council operates and is elected. One of the recommendations under consideration now is moving from 2-year terms where all members of Council run every 2 years to 4-year staggered terms. According to the study report, 4-year staggered terms allow more time to engage residents and to take a more deliberative approach to complex policy development. To gather resident input on this question, Council directed staff to conduct a scientific poll using random sampling. The survey results will be presented in January.
The City is asking for resident input in this year’s “participatory budgeting” program. There is an opportunity for residents to vote on how the City allocates $200,000 per Council District in the upcoming budget
City Council Meets on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Here are some of the items that caught our attention:
Council continues to dispose of City-owned property to expand the affordable housing supply. This time, staff is asking Council to sell property on Poole Road for $1.00 to Habitat for Humanity to build 9 townhomes for people making between 60% and 80% of AMI. Click here for more information.
There will be a public hearing to gather input from residents on the City’s FY24-25 Community Development and Affordable Housing Action Plan. Click here for more information.
Z-26-23 is a request to change the zoning of a 1.69 acres consisting of lots located at 301 Glenwood, 617 West North Street and 612 West Lane Street. Currently, the property is zoned for a mixture of Office and Downtown Mixed Use-3 stories. The applicant is requesting Downtown Mixed Use-20 Stories. Unlike many recent rezoning cases, this case contains no conditions related to affordable housing. Planning Commission voted 6-1 in favor.
Z-27-23 is a request to change the zoning of approximately 2 acres bounded by Dawson, Lane and Jones Streets. The current zoning is Downtown Mixed Use-12 Stories and the requested zoning is Downtown Mixed Use-40 Stories. There are no conditions related to affordable housing. Planning Commission voted to recommend approval 7-0.