Raleigh City Council Regular Meeting (Evening Session) - March 4, 2025

The city council convened at 7:00 PM to hold public hearings and vote on several land-use matters, including a street closure, an annexation petition paired with a rezoning, and four additional rezonings. Key themes included affordable housing, infrastructure costs, and community engagement.

Public Hearings & Discussion Items

Street Closing STC-05-2024: East Whitaker Mill Road Right-of-Way

• Amanda Jones (Transportation) presented a closure of 141 square feet of right-of-way to align with a six-unit townhome development. The closure was supported by civil engineer Sam Nye and property owner Tim King, noting a similar closure was approved in 2010. No opposition was voiced. Council unanimously approved the resolution.

Annexation AX-09-24 and Rezoning Z-12-24: 2801 Old Crews Road and adjacent parcels (District B)

• Pat Young (Planning) framed the case within broader growth policy discussions, noting upcoming priority growth areas and process changes. Hannah Rackau presented details: a ~240-acre assemblage outside the ETJ, adjacent to city limits and the 2006 Rivertown annexation; proposed R6 conditional use with 550 units, 40% open space, fire service contribution, and traffic calming conditions. Planning Commission recommended approval 6-1.
• Applicant Collier Marsh (Parker Poe) argued the project is revenue positive (>$4M over 10 years) and provides significant transportation improvements. Councilmember Patton noted the site is in the Northeast Special Study Area (NESA) and that prior council actions created the current situation. Councilmembers Silver and Jones opposed, citing inconsistency with the comprehensive plan (study area incomplete) and staff concerns. The annexation and rezoning both passed 6-2.

Rezoning Z-32-24: 4020 Sumner Boulevard (District B)

• A request from CX-4-CU to CX-5-CU to allow a five-story hotel. Conditions prohibit certain uses and require urban frontage along Sumner Boulevard. Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. Applicant Worth Mills noted that the urban form map inconsistency arises because Wake Hills Lane was abandoned but not removed from the map. Council unanimously approved.

Rezoning Z-36-24: 9000 & 9004 Litchford Road (District B)

• Two parcels (2.715 acres) rezoned from R-1 to R-10-CU for 40 townhomes. Conditions cap units at 40 and prohibit cemetery use. Transportation staff confirmed Litchford Road carries ~13,000 vehicles/day (capacity 8,000-20,000) with slow growth. Applicant Jennifer Ashton highlighted proximity to grocery stores and schools. Council unanimously approved.

Rezoning Z-37-24: 326 Chapanoke Road (District D)

• A 6-acre site rezoned from IX-3 (Industrial Mixed Use) to CX-5-CU (Commercial Mixed Use) with TOD overlay, to facilitate 100% affordable housing (200 units, ≤12,000 sq ft commercial). The land is deed-restricted by Wake County, and the partnership includes Harmony Housing, F7 Development, and Gilbane. Conditions prohibit industrial and certain other uses. Planning Commission approved 5-0. Council unanimously approved, which also de facto amends the Future Land Use Map to Community Mixed Use.

Rezoning Z-40-24: 2340 Compassionate Drive (District C) – Continued Public Hearing

• A 10-acre church-owned parcel rezoned from R-6 to RX-4-CU for 100% affordable housing (targeting 60% AMI, 200-225 units). Conditions include a 30-year affordability term, 25% open space, and a traffic signal warrant analysis. Planning Commission recommended approval 5-2 with comments on building height and stormwater.
• Applicant Amy Kraut and Pastor James Burgess presented the partnership with Standard Communities. Opposition from neighbors (Keisha Lovelace, Octavia Rainey, Greta Gill, Virginia Talley) centered on longstanding stormwater flooding, traffic congestion on Rock Quarry Road, fire access, and community character. Council discussion highlighted legacy infrastructure issues and the need for more community outreach and concrete conditions (e.g., height cap, unit limit). Council voted to continue the public hearing to March 18, 2025, and requested the applicant hold a community meeting and submit revised conditions.

Key Outcomes

• Approved unanimously: Street closure STC-05-2024, Z-32-24 (Sumner Blvd), Z-36-24 (Litchford Rd), Z-37-24 (Chapanoke Rd).
• Approved 6-2 (Silver and Jones opposed): Annexation AX-09-24 and rezoning Z-12-24 (Old Crews/Old Milburnie).
• Continued to March 18, 2025: Public hearing for Z-40-24 (Compassionate Drive); applicant to submit revised conditions and meet with neighbors.