Raleigh Infill Debate

The links to the recent articles about the upcoming City Council considerations.

From the Indy Weekly by Bob Geary:
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A165765

and an update from N&O's Sarah Lindenfeld Hall:
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/850146.html

About the Property Revaluations

According to the presentation at the Five Points CAC meeting, Emmett Curl predicted we would be seeing 300% increases in land values in some of Raleigh's older neighborhoods. The house values either go up or down depending on the sales trends of comparable homes in comparable neighborhoods.

In addition to any concern about your own property value, it is important that you let the City Council know if you are in a neighborhood whose stability and livability is threatened by these new valuations. We have heard from many longterm neighbors who are concerned about being priced out of their homes by the exceptional price of the new infill. If you have these concerns, it is vital that you contact the Council and let them know. Their contact information is at the bottom right of this frame.

City Council Inauguration -- Dec 3

The City Council Swearing-In Ceremony will be held on Monday, December 3, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lobby of the Performing Arts Center. The City Council sets City policy, enacts laws and adopts the City budget each year. For information call (919) 890-3050.

The parking deck will be open free of charge.

New council members Rodger Koopman, Nancy McFarlane, and Mary-Ann Baldwin will be sworn in along with Mayor Charles Meeker and continuing council members Thomas Crowder, Russ Stephenson, Phil Isley, and James West.

This will be an upbeat, fun event and a good opportunity to talk with the new council members. Please pass on to your friends and neighbors. Be sure to make a note of the City Council meeting Schedule listed in the item below.

2008 City Council

Monday, December 3, City Council swearing in and reception - 7 p.m.
lobby of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Details here
--------------
Tuesday December 4, City Council meeting with new Council in place - 1 p.m. (last meeting of the year)

2008 City Council Meeting Schedule

Tuesday, January 8, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - City Council / Zoning Hearing
- 1 p.m. / 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - City Council / Zoning Hearing
- 1 p.m. / 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - City Council / Zoning Hearing
- 1 p.m. / 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 - City Council / Zoning Hearing
- 1 p.m. / 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - City Council - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Nov 27th Planning Commission Meeting

The link to the November 27th Planning Commission meeting is provided here and below:

http://www.raleighnc.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_97696_0_0_18/PC-agenda.pdf


Bernard Street (Z-44-07) and Interim Infill Standards (TC-8-07) are on the agenda.

*** ACTION ALERT ***

Community SCALE calls your attention to 2 extremely important meetings tomorrow that will affect the future of development and zoning cases in Raleigh.

Many of you have signed a statement of support for the Fallon Park/Anderson Heights/Bloomsbury area rezoning petition that was filed earlier this year. The City Council has not yet voted on our case, Z-31-07. It is likely that a vote will be taken tomorrow. Please show your support for this case in particular and for Community SCALE tenets in general by attending one or both of the following 2 meetings:

• The City Council Meeting begins at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 20th,in City Council Chambers, Room 201, Avery Upchurch Municipal Building, 222 West Hargett St. The Fallon Park zoning case is early on the agenda, and we are advised to arrive by 1:00 p.m.

• There is also a Zoning Hearing the same evening (11/20) at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers which will involve Community SCALE issues and a text change that would address some of the current zoning regulations that are detrimental to established neighborhoods.

A memo and flyer are being widely distributed by those who wish to see the SCALE zoning case and the proposed text change defeated. This viewpoint will be well represented at the hearing, and via numerous emails going to City Council. We MUST MAKE SURE THAT our side is equally well represented.

The Triangle Community Coalition is posting this action alert on their website. The organization's mission is: "To promote public policy that encourages a balance among economic growth, development, the environment, and community needs while protecting the rights and interests of property owners."

They provide a link to the text change, which is posted on the city website here.

Please notify as many people as possible who will take action to help us to conserve and preserve the nature of the neighborhood. This a valuable text change.

Anyone who wishes to do so may speak at the evening zoning hearing. No petition is needed to comment at tomorrow night's public hearing. Just show up!!! But, it would be helpful for those who wish to speak to coordinate efforts to avoid redundancy.

Please join us to show council members that we want to preserve the character & diversity of our neighborhoods. Bring your friends and neighbors! We'll be seated in the right front section.

In addition, your letter, e-mail, or call to City Council members before November 20th will help. Their contact information is on our website: http://www.communityscale.com - click on "Info" & near the bottom of the page you'll see "City Council Members." It is also provided on this Forum.

Nov and Dec Civic Calendar

The following dates remain for participation in the Planning process--

PLANNING RALEIGH 2030: Comprehensive Plan Update in Process
The update of the Raleigh Comprehensive Plan officially began on October 25th.

Although these dates have passed, you may find a form at the City Website that will allow you to share your thoughts and concerns. Complete information can be found here.

November 13, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Shepherd's Hall, Church of the Good Shepherd

November 14, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. McKimmon Conference and Training Center, NCSU

November 15, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. North Raleigh Church of Christ, 8701 Falls of Neuse Road
---------------------------
---------------------------
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, Zoning public hearing [agenda includes the down-zoning cases in North Hills] The interim zoning proposal may also be announced.
http://www.raleigh-nc.org/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_306_200_0_43/http%3B/pt03/DIG_Web_Content/category/Business/Zoning_and_Rezoning/Cat-1C-20041206-100112-Notice_of_Public_Hearing.html
----------------
7 p.m. Mon Dec 3, City Council swearing in and reception, lobby of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
http://www.raleighnc.gov/publications/Community_Services/CAC-Agendas/CAC-six_forks-agenda.pdf
--------------
1 p.m. Tues Dec 4, City Council meeting with new Council in place
(last meeting of the year)

Re-Zoning Update

The City Council has not yet voted on our case, Z-31-07. This will probably happen Tuesday, November 20, and you can show your support by attending the following 2 meetings:

The City Council Meeting, begins at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 20th, in City Council Chambers, Room 201, Municipal Building, 222 West Hargett St. This case is early on the agenda and we are advised to arrive by 1:00 p.m.

There is also a Zoning Hearing the same evening (11/20) at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers which will involve Community SCALE issues.

Please join us to show council members that we are united in our desire to preserve the character & diversity of our neighborhood. Bring your friends and neighbors! We’ll be seated in the right front section.

In addition, your letter, e-mail, or call to City Council members before November 20th will be helpful. Their contact information is on our website: http://www.communityscale.com - click on "Info" & near the bottom of the page you'll see "City Council Members."

Again, we THANK YOU!

Events in November

Nov 13 Central District Comprehensive Plan meeting
(registration on City web site)
more info here.

First round of city-wide public workshops:
November 13 – Central District
Shepherd’s Hall, The Church of the Good Shepherd
125 Hillsborough Street

City Council Meeting November 7

The next City Council meeting is:

WEDNESDAY, November 7 at 1 pm,

Raleigh City Council Chambers

Coming Events: Oct 25-27

Two big events coming up Thursday through Saturday.
Preservation NC conference and the Comprehensive Plan kickoff.

They ask that you register online at the link below, though just showing up is probably fine too.

Comprehensive Plan Update -
http://www.planningraleigh2030.com/
The update of the Raleigh Comprehensive Plan will officially begin with a Kick-off Celebration on Thursday, October 25th. Please plan on attending the kick-off celebration and at least one of the first set of public visioning workshops.

If you would like to attend any of the following meetings, please register here.

What: Kick-off Celebration
Where: Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts - Art Gallery
When: 7:00 to 9:00 PM, Thursday, October 25th, 2007

There will be short presentations made and background information available. This is a chance to meet and talk with the City Council, the Raleigh City Planning Commissioners, City Planning Staff, the project consultants, and the members of other City boards and commissions.

*****************
Preservation NC conference has costs associated with it, but you can attend parts of it and pay for just those parts. Some highlights (details at the link below):

http://presnc.org./2007_Annual_Conference/2007_PNC_AC_Brochure.pdf

* Free reception on Thursday from 7-8 PM at the Capital Bank Building
at 333 Fayetteville St. sponsored by DODOMOMO (Documentation & Conservation of buildings sites & neighborhoods of the Modern Movement)

*Opening reception & downtown living tour Thur 5-7 pm, $25

* Friday day package $85 includes:
10-11:15 a.m. Teardowns & McMansions: Taming the Trend
11:30-noon Politics of Teardowns: Panel Discussion

* Saturday
Carraway Awards luncheon in First Baptist Church, 11:30-1:30 $25

City Council meeting Tues Oct 16 at 1 p.m

City Council meeting on rezoning case
Tues Oct 16 at 1 p.m

Last week, the planning commission unanimously voted against the
Fallon Park area rezoning case.

The City Council will take up the case this coming Tuesday October 16 at 1
p.m. We are still negotiating this case and the PC recommendation is not the final outcome.

The case will be early on the agenda, so try to arrive by 1. We will sit together on the lower front rows on the right side of the Council chambers.

Neighborhood show of support is very important at this time.

WHERE: City Council Chambers, 222 W. Hargett St., Room 201,
Avery Upchurch Government Complex, Raleigh [corner Hargett & Dawson]

Map

Park
or park in the pull in parking on Hargett St. or the parallel parking on Dawson

Vote | October 9

by Jason Hibbets, http://lineberry.org/blogs

Wake County Residents, next Tuesday is election day here and even though it’s mostly local elections, your vote is important. Here is some great information on how to get prepared to cast your vote.

Get out and Vote on October 9th!

Wake County Board of Elections: http://www.wakegov.com/elections/
No Excuse Absentee Voting: http://www.wakegov.com/elections/absentee.htm
One Stop Voting: http://www.wakegov.com/elections/onestop/default.htm
Precincts & Polling Places: http://www.wakegov.com/elections/prcnt_poll_places.htm
Voting FAQs: http://www.wakegov.com/elections/faq.htm

There are important bond issues as well:
Raleigh Park Bond, Wake County Public Library, Open Space, and Tech. Community College Bonds

Zoning Hearing

Tuesday, September 18, 6:30 pm
The Public Hearing, a joint meeting of Raleigh City Council & Planning Commission, begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, in City Council Chambers, Room 201, Municipal Building, 222 West Hargett St. Our case, Z-31-07, is 2nd on the agenda, & we are advised to arrive by 6:30 p.m. Please join us if you can & spread the word to neighbors.

In addition, your letter, e-mail, or call to City Council & Planning Commission members before or soon after September 18th. Contact information is on our website, and also this forum.

In the News

September 15, 2007

Headline Saturday WRAL-TV – focus on teardowns
Join WRAL's David Crabtree and Melanie Sill, the executive editor at the News & Observer, every week for in-depth discussion and analysis of the week's top headlines.

Headline Saturday also features a weekly preview of the Q Section discussion in the Sunday edition of the News & Observer.

Headline Saturday airs Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on WRAL.

This weeks guests will include Myrick Howard of Preservation NC, former Planning Commissioner Jim Baker, and Sarah Lindenfeld Hall from the N&O.

MEETING: Five Points CAC

Below is a link to an announcement / newsletter for the upcoming Five
Points CAC meeting on Wednesday, September 12, at 7:30 PM.

http://fivepointscac.home.att.net/fivepoints-agenda-september-2007.pdf

You can now view some preliminary maps for the 2008 property revaluation on the Five Points CAC Web site. Once again the Five Points area will see the largest increases in the County.

http://fivepointscac.home.att.net

http://www.raleighnc.gov/publications/Community_
Services/CAC_Area_Maps/Five_Points_CAC-map.pdf

(you may need to cut & paste some of these links)

If you have questions questions, contact CAC leader Philip W Poe:
(919)832-6777 voice
(919)832-6775 fax
pwpoe@att.net

Important dates: rezoning proposal for Fallon Park

Timeline for proposed rezoning:

• 6-15-07 - Rezoning petition filed
• 7-2-07 - Letters about the rezoning mailed by SCALE to all subject and adjacent property owners.
• 9-12-07 - 5 Points CAC meeting presentation, discussion, and vote on rezoning case.
• 9-18-07 - Joint public hearing of City Council and the Planning Commission in City Council Chambers. Owners of subject and adjacent properties (within 100 yards of rezone area) get a notice from the City before the hearing.
• 9-25-07 - Earliest date the Planning Commission will make a recommendation.
• 10-2-07 - Earliest date the City Council will vote.

Latta House Foundation to Appear Before City Council

HELP US ESTABLISH A PRESENCE FOR HISTORIC OBERLIN VILLAGE
(It's Time To Get Some Clarity)

Date: Wednesday, September 5th

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Municipal Building (Room 207) 222 West Hargett Street Raleigh, NC 27601

Contact: Judy Guest (919) 841-0953
*Please Identify yourself as you join us.
We will have on YELLOW Latta House badges.

The LHF's Revised Mission Statement
As a steward to the community; we will serve as a vessel to promote the history of the Latta School, its founder and other historic facets of Oberlin Village. These offerings will be rendered through educational and cultural opportunities for all.

for more information about the Latta House Foundation,
http://www.lattahouse.org/index.html

Preservation NC Annual Conference

The Preservation North Carolina Annual Conference will be held in Raleigh Oct. 25-27.

See link on their web site.

Home! Sweet Home! Preservation of Our Historic Homes and Neighborhoods

Save the date! PNC's Annual Conference will be held Thursday, October 25 - Saturday, October 27, 2007 in downtown Raleigh. ...

PNC is pleased to announce William Schmickle, author of The Politics of Historic Districts, has been added to the program as a keynote speaker on Friday, October 26. He will join Adrian Scott Fine to discuss the politics of teardowns. Carole Boston Weatherford, author of the children's book Dear Mr. Rosenwald, will address the honor award winners and guests on Friday, October 26 with a special reading from her book.

Raleigh Neighborhood Exchange

The Raleigh Neighborhood Exchange is
Sept. 14-15 at the McKimmon Center
click here for more information.

The most important and effective partner the Community Services Department has is a concerned and informed citizen. The “Neighborhood Exchange” is being offered to you as an effort to provide the information needed to address concerns in your neighborhood.

The City of Raleigh’s Community Services Department is constantly searching for ways to help residents identify physical and human resources to help them build stronger neighborhoods and improve their quality of life.

In 2004 visionary leaders, supportive sponsors, and participating citizens witnessed the birth of a new movement in Raleigh. We call this movement the Raleigh Neighborhood Exchange. The title has proven appropriate because, looking back on the neighborhood and citizen development workshops and speakers, participants felt that a genuine exchange stimulating of ideas and information had indeed taken place.

September has been designated as Neighborhoods Month by the Raleigh City Council. In conjunction with this event, the Neighborhood Exchange Citizens Committee in partnership with the City of Raleigh’s Community Services Department will host the Raleigh Neighborhood Exchange. This event will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 14-15, 2007, at the McKimmon Center, N. C. State University.

City Council Meeting Schedule for Fall

Tuesday, August 7, 2007
City Council meeting at 1:00 and 7:00

Wednesday, September 5, 2007
City Council meeting at 1:00 and 7:00

Tuesday, September 18, 2007
City Council meeting at 1:00
Zoning Hearing at 6:30

Tuesday, October 2, 2007
City Council meeting at 1:00 and 7:00

Tuesday, October 16, 2007
City Council meeting at 1:00

Wednesday, November 7, 2007
City Council meeting at 1:00 and 7:00

Tuesday, November 20, 2007
City Council meeting at 1:00
Zoning Hearing 6:30

Tuesday, December 4, 2007
City Council meeting at 1:00 and 7:00

5 Points CAC meeting

5 Points CAC meeting
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
7:30 - 9:00 PM
Garris Building in Fred Fletcher Park
820 Clay Street
Heading into downtown on St. Mary's St., turn left on Clay St. just
before you reach Broughton High School (on right). Turn left into parking lot of Garris Building.

Police Report
7:30 - 7:40 PM
Captain Mise, District 26 Commander, Raleigh Police Department
Captain Mise will provide his usual update about policing activities
And issues affecting the Five Points community

Parks and Recreation Update
7:40 - 7:50 PM
Anita Spencer, Program Supervisor, Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department
Anita will talk about upcoming events in the City and the Five Points community.

Five Points Briefings
7:50 - 8:05 PM
Philip Poe, Five Points Co-Chair
* Ghost Lot Lines
* Infill project at Mial and Bernard (S-067-06)
* Downtown Appetite for Art
* Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
* Neighborhood Exchange
* Neighborhood month
* Red Bird sculpture
* Fletcher Park water garden

Neighborhood Identification Program
8:05 - 8:20 PM
Susan Humphries, Five Points Resident
Susan will talk about a proposal for strengthening the identity of
Raleigh's neighborhoods.

Property Revaluations
8:20 - 8:50 PM
Emmett Curl, Wake County Revenue Director
Every eight years, Wake County revalues properties throughout the
County. Emmett Curl will provide a preview of changes for Five Points and other downtown neighborhoods. In 2000, some downtown neighborhoods saw property values rise 150 - 190% between 1992 and 2000, while the Wake County average was 43%.


Click on the link below to view the agenda for the July 11th Five Points CAC meeting:

http://fivepointscac.home.att.net/fivepoints-agenda-jul-2007.pdf (PDF format)

Also, visit the Five Points CAC Info Center if you would like to join
The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) discussion group:
http://fivepointscac.home.att.net/

City Council Meeting June 5th, 1:00 pm

Notes from the meeting follow. Please note that the City Council needs to hear from people in the neighborhoods to get a sense of the level of concern about infill. The links to City Council addresses are embedded in the previous post, or are available at the link to the City website below.

. . . . . . .

ITEM: Motion from the Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC) to hire a consultant for Planning Department to address infill issues

The City Council voted on this item. The motion from the Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC) to hire a consultant to address infill issues failed. The video is available on RTN, you can watch it below.

This motion has been brought to CC twice and failed twice. This time, Councilor Kekas voted for it in CPC but voted against it in the CC meeting. Meeker, Stephenson, and Councilor Taliaffero also noted that the discussion about an infill consultant came out of her district but said that there are also many people who are opposed to infill standards.

The council did vote to add a permament staff member to address text changes and infill, but it is understood that a consultant could have addressed in 6 months while it will be a year before a new staff member is up and running and can do the job.

To watch this meeting, go to this link, and once the streaming video is up from today's meeting, you can go to the drop down menu and click on the Comprehensive Planning Committee's (CPC) report. Meeting started at 1 and that item came up about 1:50. Thomas Crowder chairs CPC so he will be talking at start of this segment.

Watch the proceedings here

The next item was planning commission nominations. With Betsy Kane is resigning there are 3 vacancies. The Mayor asked for other nominees by Friday and that he wants a vote taken in 2 weeks.

. . . . . . . .

Action ALERT: City Council Meeting -- June 5

This Tuesday, June 5 the City Council will meet. One item we wish to support is the CPC (Comprehensive Planning Committee) recommendation on May 23 to request the city fund the hiring of a consultant to address the infill/refill issues in our neighborhoods across the city. Please be a part of this important meeting by contacting the City Council if you cannot be at this meeting.

AGENDA here
1:00 P.M. AND 7:00 P.M., TUESDAY
JUNE 5, 2007
THE COUNCIL CHAMBER


Support Mitch Silver's Recommendation to Hire a Consultant to Develop New Infill Regulations

At the May 1st City Council meeting, the Council rejected Mitch Silver's recommendation to bring in a consultant to expedite the work on new infill regulations for the City of Raleigh. He felt infill was a growing and very complex problem that needed immediate attention. As we all know, any work on neighborhood plans have been postponed for nearly 2 years until the staff completes its work on the new Comprehensive Plan, yet infill projects continue and have no similar constraints. If a consultant isn't used, Mitch expects the work will be delayed 6 to 12 months. The minutes from the discussion at the Council meeting are provided below.

At the May 15 meeting of the City Council, Russ Stephenson reiterated the urgency of doing something about infill and suggested an interim solution that would focus on building height. The item was referred to the Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC). After further discussion at the CPC meeting on May 23, the Committee voted 3 - 1 to recommend the funding of a consultant to complete the entire project within six months. This recommendation will be an item on the City council's June 5 agenda.

This is an opportune time to make a statement about infill. Although infill primarily affects the older downtown neighborhoods at this time, I am sure the effects will be felt further out as the amount of undeveloped land diminishes and the popularity of the downtown business district increases. If something isn't done soon, the character of many of our neighborhoods will be badly damaged and the availability of reasonably priced housing will be further diminished.

If you feel infill standards are an important issue, please consider contacting City Council and urge other members of your group to do the same.

Mayor
Charles Meeker
Send Mail

Council Member, At-Large
Joyce Kekas
Send Mail

Council Member, At-Large
Russ Stephenson
Send Mail

District Council Members
District A
Tommy Craven
Send Mail

District B
Jessie Taliaferro
Send Mail

District C
James West, Mayor Pro Tempore
Send Mail

District D
Thomas Crowder
Send Mail

District E
Philip Isley
Send Mail

The minutes of the May 15 meeting can be found in our post dated June 1.

From the North Raleigh News

Most residents in Central Raleigh never see this supplement to the News & Observer.

This story is taken from today's edition and repeated here in its entirety.
NORTH RALEIGH NEWS
Published: Jun 01, 2007 12:30 AM
Modified: Jun 01, 2007 03:24 AM

City ponders CACs
David Bracken, Staff Writer

Is it time to revisit the role of Raleigh's Citizen Advisory Council?

That appeared to be the consensus last month when the City Council began debating a proposed marketing plan and funding request put forward by members of the Raleigh CAC, the overall body made up of the officers of each of the 18 community CACs.

The seemingly innocuous proposal quickly led to a prolonged debate about the core mission of the RCAC, which continued the following week in the Budget and Economic Development Committee.

Some council members were concerned that the RCAC was proposing to have its own Web site and logo, a strange complaint given the city's myriad of offshoot committees that already have those things.

Others raised concerns about whether the marketing plan -- which relied heavily on e-mail and the Internet -- failed to take into account the digital divide that exists in some of the city's poorer neighborhoods.

There was even talk about trying to redraw the CAC boundaries (redistricting!), some of which haven't been touched since they were created in the 1970s.

What doesn't seem to be in dispute is that CACs play an invaluable role in solving the city's problems. Among the many beneficiaries of the work done by CACs are City Council members, who use them to stay on top of local issues.

In picking apart the RCAC proposal, the City Council is running the risk of biting the hand that feeds it. The proposal is an earnest attempt to encourage more participation in CACs, which has been in decline in recent years.

Granted, the proposal is not perfect, and a certain amount of scrutiny is warranted since it involves public money. But too much meddling on the part of the City Council will likely just frustrate the dedicated volunteers who make CACs successful.

Fashioning a citywide CAC marketing campaign that appeals to all neighborhoods is unrealistic. If the City Council has concerns about how the money's being spent, divide it up evenly among the various CACs and let them decide how to use it.

If the City Council has any other concerns, it should state them clearly and then get out the way and let the volunteers run things.

Staff writer David Bracken can be reached at 829-4548 or david.bracken@newsobserver.com.

ACTION Alert: City Council Meeting on June 5

Below is the history of an item that will be up for a vote in the City Council meeting next Tuesday, Jun 5. It is to request the city fund the hiring of a consultant to address the infill/refill issues in our neighborhoods across the city.

From: Five Points CAC

Supporting Mitch Silver's Recommendation to Hire a Consultant to Develop New Infill Regulations

At the May 1st City Council meeting, the Council rejected Mitch Silver's recommendation to bring in a consultant to expedite the work on new infill regulations for the City of Raleigh. He felt infill was a growing and very complex problem that needed immediate attention. As we all know, any work on neighborhood plans have been postponed for nearly 2 years until the staff completes its work on the new Comprehensive Plan, yet infill projects continue and have no similar constraints. If a consultant isn't used, Mitch expects the work will be delayed 6 to 12 months. The minutes from the discussion at the Council meeting are provided below.

At the May 15 meeting of the City Council, Russ Stephenson reiterated the urgency of doing something about infill and suggested an interim solution that would focus on building height. The item was referred to the Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC). After further discussion at the CPC meeting on May 23, the Committee voted 3 - 1 to recommend the funding of a consultant to complete the entire project within six months. This recommendation will be an item on the City council's June 5 agenda.

This is an opportune time to make a statement about infill. Although infill primarily affects the older downtown neighborhoods at this time, I am sure the effects will be felt further out as the amount of undeveloped land diminishes and the popularity of the downtown business district increases. If something isn't done soon, the character of many of our neighborhoods will be badly damaged and the availability of reasonably priced housing will be further diminished.

If you feel infill standards are an important issue, please consider contacting City Council and urge others to do the same.

Mayor
Charles Meeker
Send Mail

Council Member, At-Large
Joyce Kekas
Send Mail

Council Member, At-Large
Russ Stephenson
Send Mail

District Council Members
District A
Tommy Craven
Send Mail

District B
Jessie Taliaferro
Send Mail

District C
James West, Mayor Pro Tempore
Send Mail

District D
Thomas Crowder
Send Mail

District E
Philip Isley
Send Mail

TEXT CHANGE PRIORITIZATION – ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZED TO RECRUIT CONSULTANT FOR CITY-WIDE PARKING STANDARDS; OTHER ITEMS TO REMAIN WITH STAFF

During the April 17, 2007 Council meeting, a report was received from the Planning Department relative to prioritization of pending text changes. The Council named the following four as priorities:

13 - O&I Mixed Office/Residential Intensity (Double Dipping);

14 - NCOD Reform/Infill Development;

16 - Parking Requirements for Open Air Markets; and

18 - Citywide Parking Standards.

It was directed that the item be placed on this agenda to receive a report from Administration on whether these should be handled by staff and/or consultant, approximate cost and time frame.

Council members received the following information in their agenda packet with it being pointed out final contract fees could change based upon responses by consultants.

O&I-1 Mixed-Use Projects (aka double dipping)
Planning Department and City Attorney’s Office has substantially completed the research and analysis related to this item. The text change could be ready for the July 2007 Joint Public Hearing or a Special Hearing in June 2007.

NCOD reform/Infill Development
A consultant would be needed to undertake analysis and to prepare a text change(s) and/or comprehensive plan amendments. The consultant would be asked to explore form-based and contextual zoning solutions that may include computer simulations to visualize options. Estimated consultant cost $20,000 to $25,000. Project could take 3-6 months to complete. Staff must prepare a RFP and scope, issue the RFP, interview and select firms, submit to Council, procure the contract and then manage the consultant’s work. The work could be accomplished in 4 months. The additional 2 months may be needed for community meetings and follow-up work. Estimated consultant start date: July 2007, estimated completion date November 2007 to January 2008.

Parking Requirements for Open Air Markets
The Planning Department could undertake the analysis and text change within a one to two month timeframe. This text change could be ready for the July 2007 Joint Public Hearing.

Citywide Parking Standards
A consultant would be needed to undertake analysis and to prepare a text change. Estimated consultant cost $15,000 to $20,000. Project could take 3-4 months to complete. Staff must prepare a RFP and scope, issue the RFP, interview and select firms, submit to Council, procure the contract and then manage the consultant’s work. Estimated consultant start date: July 2007, estimated completion date October 2007 to November 2007.

Mr. Crowder questioned the NCOD reform, what that means and how it got on the list. Planning Director Silver pointed out there were a lot of issues relating to the Bickett Boulevard case which involved infill and overlay zoning. He stated there were a number of questions and they wanted to look at the neighborhood, contextual, infill, discussions, etc. It is all lumped together to address a number of issues related to infill. Ms. Taliaferro pointed out staff had recommended that the City hire a consultant to do that asking if that relates to time restraints on the part of staff. Planning Director Silver pointed out it is a highly complex issue. He stated he had recommended a consultant based on the complexity, limited staff time and the importance of moving forward with this issue. He stated staff could handle it in house but it will take longer and it is felt we need to address these issues quickly as they come up time and time again. Mayor Meeker questioned if Items 14 and 18 proposed consultants would be added to next year’s budget or exactly how that would be handled. City Manager Allen pointed out it would be hard to add to the budget at this point because the budget is almost in final form. He stated the Council could allocate the money from the current contingency and the money could be rolled over to next year. He stated those two items would be in the $45,000 range and the Council has some $150,000 in its contingency.


Ms. Kekas stated she thought when the Council was doing the prioritization the Council was doing the priorities for staff. She stated she has a concern about bringing in a consultant. She questioned if staff took on these four issues how much longer we are talking about. She expressed concern about continuing to add consultants and questioned if it would be better to hire someone to do this work as well as other work in the Planning Department rather than going with a consultant. Planning Director Silver pointed out long term hiring someone in the Planning Department may help but short term he would recommend utilizing a consultant for this work. He again stated the NCOD reform is a very complex issue and involves a number of issues relating to zoning, form based zoning, etc. He stated that work alone could take six months to a year for staff but the consultant could do it much quicker.

Mr. Crowder pointed out these are very important issues and he feels it would be money well spent. Ms. Taliaferro stated she could see hiring a consultant for the City-wide parking standards as that will cross many different departments. She stated her concern about bringing in a consultant for the NCOD reform is that they would not have institutional knowledge and history. She stated in addition a consultant would come in, do the work and then be gone and it would be good to have continuity on staff to help interpret and implement any new standards. She stated it may take a little longer but she feels it would be important to have NCOD reform item done in house. She stated she has no problem supporting additional staff in the Planning Department if that is what we need. Ms. Taliaferro stated she could support going with a consultant for the City-wide parking standards and so moved including an appropriation from Council Contingency. Her motion was seconded by Ms. Kekas and a roll call vote resulted in all members voting in the affirmative. The Mayor ruled the motion adopted on an 8-0 vote. See Ordinance 220TF68.

The Mayor indicated staff would proceed with getting a consultant for the City-wide parking standard proposal and the other three priorities would be done in house by staff.

City Council Meeting

On June 5, the Raleigh City Council will continue to discuss the hiring of a consultant to work on the development of infill standards. Mayor Meeker reported on the news last Thursday that he hoped to see some regulations in place by fall.