July 27 Newsletter
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Breaking News: Hayes Barton homeowners lose most recent skirmish in their ongoing battle to stop construction of 17 townhomes
Last week, several Hayes Barton homeowners continued their attack on the proposed Williamson Drive townhome community. The Raleigh Board of Adjustment (“BOA”) heard their latest appeal designed to stop the construction of 17 townhomes. For those unfamiliar with the situation, a small group of homeowners are trying to overturn the second administrative approval for 17 townhomes in the Hayes Barton neighborhood. They are also seeking to invalidate all of the City’s Missing Middle housing reformswhich are intended to diversify the kinds of housing that can be built across the City.
As readers may recall, the neighbors won the last appeal on a narrow ruling in Superior Court relating to a proposed Transitional Protective Yard. In that decision, Judge Collins ruled that the proposed townhome community met all applicable requirements of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance except the Transitional Protective Yard. As part of the decision, Judge Collins allowed the developer to submit a revised plan to the City that addressed the Transitional Protective Yard. Neither party appealed. So pursuant to the Judge’s decision, the developer filed a revised development plan that addressed Judge Collins’ decision, while maintaining the 17 proposed townhomes. The City reviewed and approved the revised townhome plan in April. Not surprisingly, the neighbors appealed the approval of the revised plan to the BOA.
After 2 days of testimony and argument, the BOA voted unanimously to deny the homeowners’ appeal and to uphold the City’s approval of the amended plan for 17 townhomes. To watch the BOA appeal proceedings, click here and here.
» Read our full coverage of this decision on our website now.
Articles and Resources of interest:
A research report from the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank states that constraints in rental unit supply are leading higher-income residents to move into lower-cost rental units (“downward-sorting”). As a result, higher-income households may access more affordable rents, while lower-income residents may face challenges in securing affordable housing. This dynamic can increase the economic vulnerability of lower-income individuals, particularly those with children.
If you are interested in urban design and how the built environment influences how people interact with each other and their surroundings, take a look at this great video called “Streets Make Cities.”
Speaking of the challenges facing Missing Middle reforms, “Missing Middle Housing Plan in Montgomery County Faces Backlash,” via the Washington Post. See also here.
“The Biggest Myth about the YIMBY Movement,” from the Atlantic.
“Housing Communicators: Don’t Water Down Your Values to Appeal to Opponents,” via Shelterforce.
“Wall Street Wants to Fix the Housing Crisis,” via Bloomberg.
“Rapid Growth Overwhelmed Austin. These Housing Reforms Made a Difference,” via the APA.
As developable land becomes more scarce around the Triangle region due to infrastructure and environmental constraints, even suburban cities and towns around the Triangle region will soon face supply constraints like those confronting Raleigh and Cary. This Vox article explores how this will exacerbate spiraling housing costs even in areas that have been the low-cost option for many residents moving to the area. “America’s Fastest-growing Suburbs are About to get Very Expensive.”
This Washington Post article explores the difficulties communities have in trying to eliminate food deserts by subsidizing (or even city-owned) grocery stores in challenging locations.
“Battle Over Bike Lanes in Boston Intensifies and Hits the Mayor’s Race,” Bloomberg reports.
Items of Interest in the Week Ahead:
Raleigh City Council is on its annual Summer break until August 19, 2025. RaleighForward will share any important developments that occur during Council’s break.
RaleighForward recently noticed the City has added a “Mayor’s Corner” page to its website that lays out the Mayor’s policy priorities and related activities.
Starting August 2nd, Raleigh will conduct “Downtown Black History Walking Tours.” For details, click here.