FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARY ANN BALDWIN'S 2009 POSITION ON DEVELOPMENT

In a 2009 interview with the Raleigh Public Record Mary Ann Baldwin made the following statement regarding development under the 2030 Comprehensive Plan:

"I think our new Comprehensive Plan is going to help tremendously in guiding growth. I think our biggest challenge is going to be helping people not fear density. We need to do a better job of having denser development, especially around transit stations and we’re moving in that direction.

But I think that a lot of people hear ‘density’ and think of 8- to 20-story towers in their neighborhoods, when what we’re really talking about is homes on smaller plots of land, townhomes, condos, four stories max. I think we have to help the public understand that density is not a dirty word, but at the same time we have to protect the transition areas, so you’re not square in the face of this huge massive development especially where you are in a well-developed historic area." -- Mary Ann Baldwin, 2009 (emphasis is ours)

Not everyone knows that the University Park neighborhood is an established historic area and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  IMPORTANTLY, THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THIS HISTORIC AREA INCLUDES HILLSBOROUGH STREET.

Grow Raleigh Great supports Mary Ann Baldwin's 2009 position.  In particular, with this latest information regarding the historic status the University Park neighborhood, we ask that City Council not confirm their vote for a 7 story tower on Hillsborough Street and follow the guidance of the Comprehensive Plan to approve a more reasonable 5 story structure (the maximum allowed under the Comprehensive Plan) to help preserve this historic neighborhood.

Grow Raleigh Great is a grassroots effort to advance development through a community developed Comprehensive Plan to preserve and protect neighborhoods.

Here is a link to the full story at the Raleigh Public Record:  http://raleighpublicrecord.org/electionprofiles/2009/08/11/mary-ann-baldwin/

Contact: growraleighgreat@gmail.com

GUIDANCE OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REJECTED: SECOND VOTE TO FOLLOW

We have been following closely the rezoning case on Hillsborough Street for a seven story high rise.  Raleigh’s Comprehensive Plan is very clear that the maximum number of stories of any building within a Neighborhood Mixed Use area should be 5.  The residents and homeowners in that area voted at the Wade CAC 5 to 1 against seven stories and unanimously in favor of five stories as prescribed by the Comprehensive Plan.  It was stated during today’s Council meeting that the Comprehensive Plan is “only a guide.”  We are extremely concerned that the Comprehensive Plan’s guidance developed after years of input from citizens was not followed.

Following the Comprehensive Plan is extremely important and pertinent to rezoning not only on Hillsborough but also at Dunn and Falls of Neuse.  The Comprehensive Plan is clear about the scale and intensity of development within Neighborhood Mixed Use areas.  If the Comprehensive Plan is ignored, then that is a serious cause of concern for the more than 3400 who have signed petition against rezoning in North Raleigh and for the 522 who attended and participated in the City sanctioned North CAC process and voted against rezoning at Dunn and Falls of Neuse Roads.

Today City Council took up the Hillsborough Street rezoning case.  This is how they voted:

Mary-Ann Baldwin: in favor of rezoning

Wayne Maiorano: in favor of rezoning

John Odom: in  favor of rezoning

Bonner Gaylord:  in favor of rezoning

Eugene Weeks: in favor of rezoning

Nancy McFarlaine: against rezoning

Russ Stephenson: against rezoning

Thomas Crowder: against rezoning

IMPORTANTLY:  Today’s City Council vote was 5 to 3 in favor of rezoning – in other words a simple majority.  Because the  vote was a simple majority, City Council will hold a second vote in two weeks to affirm today’s vote.  If the vote is not affirmed – that is one or more Councilor who voted for the rezoning – changes their vote, then the rezoning will fail.

So, please stay tuned.  Much more to come in the coming days.

Last Minute Reminder

LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD JUNE 3, 7 PM

PUBLIC HEARING FOR Z-2-14

A public hearing will be held in City Council Chambers at 222 W Hargett St. on a proposal to build an out of scale seven story building on Hillsborough St.  The proposal violates the Comprehensive Plan and willl, if allowed, set a precedent that will irreparably harm the surrounding neighborhoods.

Come and let your voices be heard!

ANNOUNCEMENT: THE Z-2-14 COMMUNITY FEEDBACK PAGE

Grow Raleigh Great is sponsoring a Z-2-14 Community Feedback Page to provide feedback to the community about the Z-2-14 vote.  We are inviting every member of the Raleigh City Council to send their feedback regarding their thoughts and reflections on Z-2-14, The 2030 Comprehensive Plan, the UDO, and the reasons for their vote.

You can view the Z-2-14 Community Feedback page at

http://growraleighgreat.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_31.html

 

After the vote we will provide links to and commentary for the Z-2-14 public hearing on Tuesday.

Thank you,

Let's Grow Raleigh Great