Raleigh City Council Meeting: February 18, 2025

The Raleigh City Council held its regular meeting on February 18, 2025, at 222 West Hargett Street. The meeting included a work session on stormwater, a regular session with consent agenda approvals, public comments, several rezoning and annexation public hearings, a report on the downtown parking pilot, and a Dix Park 10-year implementation plan update. The council also voted on a number of policy items and appointments.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda as presented, including the Fire Station No. 1 Replacement construction process authorization, a petition annexation for Old Crews Road, an easement for Duke Energy, multiple contracts and a memorandum of understanding for mobility management, and traffic changes including no-parking zones and metered parking.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Curtis Johnson (Representing a 501c3 nonprofit) requested $100,000 from the city budget for capacity building and operational costs to fight mental illness and the opioid crisis, and sought a partner for an affordable housing project on 130 acres owned by his church. He noted he lost a child to substance abuse and expressed commitment to the cause.
• Joy Perizer (Representing Pointer YMCA) asked the council to extend the two-hour free parking program in city parking decks, citing increases in memberships and daily usage. She noted a 900-scan increase in November 2024 and nearly 2,000 more in December vs. the prior year. She suggested earlier/evening parking fees on weekends as a possible mitigation.
• Octavia Rainey urged the council not to put a housing bond on the ballot unless the city lobbies the General Assembly to change the tax code. She noted high taxes and Southeast Raleigh residents' difficulty paying. She criticized city lobbyists for not meeting with citizens.
• Imani Cumberbatch (Director of Guest Engagement at Marbles Kids Museum) asked for continuation of two-hour free parking. She cited a 7% increase in December attendance, 5% increase in Play Store sales, and 42% increase in IMAX revenue since the pilot. She noted a 2023 feasibility study that identified parking affordability as a barrier.
• Nikki W. (Unhoused advocate) shared a distressing experience with a police officer while trying to get an elderly man to a shelter on a freezing night. She reported the officer refused assistance)Skip and made offensive comments. She urged expedited implementation of a compassionate response team.
• Mama Kai Sanders (Community advocate) discussed budget work sessions, noting lack of Spanish-speaking outreach, the need for clarity on public-private partnerships, and requested information on the discretionary fund.
• Nicholas Riddle (Resident of Battery Heights) advocated for safety improvements at Tarborough and East Martin Street intersections after his daughter's near-misses. He supported planned changes and suggested speed bumps. He also requested improvements at Hargett and Tarborough.
• Athena Wallen (Brookside Drive resident) advocated for multimodal infrastructure around community spaces like schools and libraries, citing the Cameron Street bike lanes, Athens High School, and the library site. She emphasized safe routes to schools.
• Roy Attrod (Neighborhood representative) opposed the waiver of the 24-month waiting period for rezoning Z-54-22, arguing it does not meet materially changed conditions and violates multiple plans, including the Comprehensive Plan, Capital Boulevard Corridor study, Equitable TOD guidebook, and Downtown Plan. He noted the offered affordable housing contribution is not substantial.
• Ben Kuhn (Attorney and Pierce Street resident) echoed opposition, arguing no policy basis exists for the waiver粉碎. He criticized the $1.2 million affordable housing offer as "transactional" and questioned the city's land-use decision-making integrity.
• Rusty Sutton (Owner of Green Monkey) supported making the two-hour free parking permanent, citing its positive impact on his business. He said customers are visiting earlier and staying longer.

Discussion Items

• Stormwater Program Overview (Work Session): Staff presented an overview of the stormwater program at the 11:30 work session. No formal action was taken.
• Planning Commission Report: Planning Director Byan Walter presented four items scheduled for public hearings. Rezoning Z-31-24 (901 Nowell Road) and Z-40-24 (Compassionate Drive) had split commission votes with concerns about height and stormwater. TCZ-41-24 (Louisbury Road) regarding easement conditions was recommended for approval. CP-5-24 (Southall Road segment removal) was recommended for denial 5-1. The council set hearing dates: March 18 for Z-31-24, TCZ-41-24, and CP-5-24; March 4 (evening) for Z-40-24.
• Special Item - Rezoning Z-32-24 (4020 Sumner Boulevard): The council set a public hearing for March 4, 2025, after the applicant amended conditions to prohibit vehicle sales/rental and repair.
• Special Item - Waiver Request for Z-54-22 (Peace and West Street): The applicant (Morningstar Law) requested a waiver of the 24-month waiting period, citing adoption of the Comprehensive Plan amendment CP-4-23 and an offered $1.2 million affordable housing contribution. Staff noted the property could be re-filed in May anyway. Councilmembers debated the rationale. Councilmember Lambert-Melton moved to grant the waiver, arguing the downtown transition zone changes constituted a material change. Councilmembers Patton and Jones opposed, citing lack of material change and desire to wait for certainty on BRT and community engagement. The motion passed 5-3.
• Downtown Two-Hour Free Parking Pilot Update: Transportation Director Kenneth Ritchie presented data: average 28% increase in hourly transactions, average $23,000/month revenue loss. Survey results: 88% of community respondents said free parking would increase their likelihood of visiting downtown; 91% of storefronts said it would positively impact business; 95% and 97% support making it permanent. Mitigation options included re-instating '5 after 5' paid parking, extending paid hours, adding Saturdays, or raising rates. A motion to keep the pilot through calendar year 2025 and bring back a holistic report in fall was approved unanimously.
• Dix Park 10-Year Implementation Plan Update: Dix Park Conservancy President Ruffin Hall presented a $3 million check (part of a $26.3 million commitment) and highlighted upcoming Gibson Play Plaza opening. Parks Director Kate Pierce presented key recommendations: update project phasing, establish task force for long-term funding, initiate adaptive reuse strategy for buildings, and review governance. The council adopted the plan with an amendment (added by Councilmember Silver) to explore public-private partnerships and concessions. It was approved unanimously.

Public Hearings (All Held on Consent/Regular Agenda)

• Public Nuisance Abatement - 1503 Beauty Avenue: Approved. The property had trash and no owner contact.
• Public Nuisance Abatement - 1009 Seabrook Road: Held open pending verification of payment; payment confirmed later, and hearing closed; item approved.
• Demolition of Unfit Building - 617 South Blunt Street: Hearing held open until March 4 to allow community outreach for potential preservation.
• Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act - Lindenwood Education System: Council held open public hearing until first meeting in May to allow city attorney to discuss with Wake County and applicant's attorney.
• Petition Annexations (AX-24-24, AX-28-24, AX-29-24, AX-30-24): All four annexations were approved with immediate effective dates (Feb 18, 2025). Discussions centered on fiscal impact (some negative) and fire service implications.
• Street Name Change (SNC-01-2024) - Chester Road to Pettiford Road: Approved, effective April 1, 2025, to honor James Pettiford and reduce driver confusion.
• Rezoning Z-04-24 and Development Agreement DA-1-25 (5009 Louisburg Road): Both approved. The rezoning included a 30-year affordability period condition. The development agreement included cost-sharing for a greenway trail and pedestrian crossing.
• Rezoning Z-20-24 (721 Chappell Drive): Approved with revised conditions, including clarified affordable housing rounding.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Agenda (including multiple contracts, annexation, traffic changes).
• Scheduled public hearings for March 4 and March 18, 2025, for various rezoning and planning items.
• Granted waiver for rezoning Z-54-22 (5-3) to allow early re-filing beginning March 3, 2025.
• Extended two-hour free parking pilot through calendar year 2025, with a holistic report expected in fall (unanimous).
• Adopted Dix Park 10-Year Implementation Plan with an amendment to explore public-private partnerships (unanimous).
• Approved all four petition annexations (AX-24-24, AX-28-24, AX-29-24, AX-30-24) with immediate effective date.
• Approved street name change to Pettiford Road.
• Reduced public comment time on second Tuesday meetings from 3 to 2 hours (5-3).
• Appointed members to several boards and commissions; removed a member from Environmental Advisory Board; elevated a member on Board of Adjustment.
• Approved minutes from February 4 and February 11 meetings.