March 17: The week ahead in Raleigh
City Council meets on Tuesday.
During the 11:30 work session, staff will present a proposed budget and fare strategies for the upcoming fiscal year. Staff expects a deficit of around $8 million due to the expiration of COVID relief funds and doing away with fares. Staff will propose options to address the potential budget deficit and options for bringing fares back for riders. Click here for the agenda materials.
During the regular session, Council will consider additional $750,000 in GAP funding for a 90-unit affordable housing community called Thrive at South End. Council had previously provided $2.1 million, but due to rising costs, the developers are seeking this additional funding. Click here for the agenda materials.
Council will consider formally starting the process to alter how Council is elected, moving to a primary with 4-year staggered terms starting with the 2026 election. Click here for the agenda material and click here for the Council Terms Study Group Final report and recommendations from 2021.
There will be a public hearing on Rezoning Case Z-18-23 for approximately 20 acres located on Wilson Street and Garner Road. The request is to change the zoning from Residential-6 and Residential-10 to Residential Mixed-Use 4 stories. There is a condition requiring at least 10 affordable units to be included in the community.
Raleigh was selected as 1 of 25 Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities. As part of the program, the City will receive an “Innovation Team” funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The Innovation Team will have expertise in data analytics, insight development and project management. Click here for more information.