Raleigh City Council Regular Meeting - September 16, 2025
Raleigh City Council Regular Meeting - September 16, 2025
The Raleigh City Council met on September 16, 2025, for a work session (11:30 AM) and regular session (1:00 PM). The regular session included recognition of the Raleigh Aces women's semi-pro basketball team, approval of the consent agenda, public comments, and action on numerous rezoning, annexation, and policy items. Notable decisions included setting public hearings for two contentious rezoning cases, advancing a new social district at Seaboard Station, and approving several annexations.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously with no items pulled. It included: donation of a retired police horse (Willow) to her officer; acceptance of an offer for city-owned property at 8919 Hunting Trail ($10,000) subject to upset bid; consent for Raleigh Housing Authority bond issuances for Barton Oaks ($23M, 152 units) and Maple Ridge ($24.5M, 146 units); petition annexations for 3101 Watkins Town Road and 2203 Ray Road set for public hearing on October 21; referral of historic landmark designation for Morley and Carol Kare House; acceptance of a $25,000 Duke Energy Foundation HERO grant for heat mitigation; authorization of stream stabilization and drainage assistance projects; interlocal agreement for GoRaleigh Access/GoWake Access Transit Facility; contract amendments for utility software ($1.648M) and emergency dispatch software ($990,000, ratified); encroachment requests for permeable paver sidewalk and irrigation system; budget amendments for property lease and Emergency Solutions Grant ($2,438); rejection of bids for two HVAC projects at NEROC (to be re-bid); and traffic schedule changes for a residential permit parking expansion and no-parking zones for line-of-sight safety.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Matthew Brown opposed rezoning Z-12-25 (Peace Street), calling the planning department's analysis "fantasy" and arguing a 30-story building is incompatible with the adjacent one-story neighborhood and traffic congestion.
- Kevin Quong expressed concern about economic development in West Raleigh (citing closures of Kmok and Palm Farm House) and urged improved transit, including more frequent 11L route and extension to Centennial Campus and Dix Park.
- Robert Quartz (former Human Relations Commission member) criticized the city's restructuring of boards and commissions, specifically the name change of the Fair Housing Hearing Board to Advisory Board, which he argued weakens its legal standing and subpoena power.
- Alexis Kennedy and several other speakers called for a ceasefire resolution in Gaza, citing the UN declaration of genocide and demanding the city condemn Israeli actions, pressure federal representatives, and support humanitarian aid. They argued silence is complicity.
- Mamakai Sanders advocated for relocating the convention center and amphitheater expansion to Triangle Town Center, and for making downtown a safe haven for children and families with affordable businesses.
- Roy Attride and Chris Crewe opposed rezoning Z-12-25, arguing the staff analysis was incomplete, ignored compatibility with historic districts, and would set a dangerous precedent.
- Octavia Rainey criticized security policies at city hall, specifically the search of diaper bags, urging installation of bag scanners and noting women's privacy concerns.
Discussion Items
- Work Session on Annexation Practices: Staff presented revised policy options for tax increment reimbursements and annexation growth policies. Council directed staff to bring back a resolution for a 12-month pause on expanding the area of eligibility for annexation, with existing cases proceeding.
- Special Items – Rezonings: Z-10-25 (Leesville Road): Council set a public hearing for October 7 evening after applicant added conditions capping units and limiting townhouse size. Z-12-25 (Peace Street): Council set a public hearing for October 7 evening after applicant revised conditions, including reducing building height (24-27 stories), adding step-backs, modifying affordable housing payments (secured by promissory note), and requiring tower separation.
- Council Contingency Disbursement: Council approved $5,000 to A Place at the Table (pay-what-you-can restaurant) for programming support, requested by Councilmember Jones.
- Social District – Seaboard Station: Staff presented a proposal for a second social district (Sip n’ Stroll Seaboard Station) with boundaries including Franklin Street, Seaboard Avenue, and private streets. Hours would be 10 AM–10 PM daily. Council voted 7-2 to authorize drafting code changes, with concerns about the exclusion of the 111 Seaboard building and equity issues raised by the Substance Use Advisory Commission.
- Legislative Agenda: Staff presented basics of creating a legislative agenda, including examples from Mecklenburg County and Matthews. Council will refine priorities at the upcoming retreat.
- Website Redesign: Staff provided an update on the RaleighNC.gov redesign, showing new navigation, alert pages, and mobile-responsive designs. Council praised the progress and requested attention to greenway/trail information and accessibility.
- 2025 Community Climate Action Plan Implementation Report: Highlights included a 21% reduction in per-capita greenhouse gas emissions since 2007, a 700% increase in solar installations, e-bike voucher pilot (86% redemption for income-qualified), and a 25% flood insurance premium discount for residents starting October 1. Council noted progress and asked about expanding e-bike program and food composting.
- Raleigh Historic Development Commission Annual Report and Work Plan: Council received the annual report and approved the FY2025-26 work plan, which includes design standards updates and a preservation plan.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
- Public Hearings Set: Z-10-25 (Leesville Road) and Z-12-25 (Peace Street) set for October 7 evening; four rezoning cases (Z-05-25, Z-08-25, Z-16-25, Z-22-25) and one annexation (AX-21-25) set for October 21 afternoon.
- Annexation Policy: Council directed staff to bring a resolution for a 12-month pause on expanding annexation eligibility area to the second October meeting.
- Social District Seaboard Station: Motion to authorize staff to draft code changes passed 7-2.
- Public Nuisance Liens: Approved for 9 properties; one (5311 Dillard Drive) deferred to October 21.
- Annexations Approved: AX-10-25 (13120 Strickland Rd.), AX-17-25 (12801 Strickland Rd.), AX-19-25 (8000 Ray Rd.), AX-24-25 (7001 Destiny Dr.), AX-26-25 (2310 & 2314 Andor Pl.) all approved. AX-22-25 (5313 Tomahawk Tr.) withdrawn.
- Rezoning Z-70-22 (Glenwood Avenue): Reconsidered and approved unanimously after revised condition clarifying stormwater requirement.
- Rezoning Z-52-24 (Tryon Road): Public hearing continued to October 7 to allow withdrawal of the "hook" portion of the property (not to be developed by applicant) after applicant agreed to remove it.
- Appointments: Sebastian Duca appointed to Raleigh Sister Cities; other vacancies carried over.
- Minutes: Approved.
- Closed Session: Council entered closed session to consult with attorney and discuss personnel.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to the city council meeting. Uh, first order of business is the Pledge of Allegiance. Good afternoon, ladies, and ladies and gentlemen in the audience. Um, want to recognize one of our local organizations, uh, the Raleigh Aces, which is a women's semi pro basketball team. The Raleigh Aces are Raleigh's semi pro basketball team known for impressive skills and competitive spirit, which makes their games exciting showcases of skills. How about that? The Aces are committed to growing opportunities for women in sports and making a lasting impact on our community. Team ownership have turned passion for women's basketball into a thriving league and a team that promotes women's empowerment, sports, and community. The city is thrilled to recognize the Raleigh Aces for these achievements. So if y'all come up front, we'll do a picture with you. Next we have the consent agenda, and there were nut there was nothing pulled. Uh so do we have a motion? So moved. All in favor of the motion, aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. All right. So that passes. And that brings us to public comment. So, mayor, if we could before respectfully before the public comment, if we could do our special recognition of our retirement. Okay, great. Not mine. So you want to do it or you want me to do it? Okay. Well, I think the special retirement today is of Willow, our police horse. Yes. Who uh is going to find a home. I think yes, I know. It would be fun if you had brought Willow into chambers. Although the spiral spare case could have been challenging. Um anyway, so we welcome our uh our police to speak to it. Yes. Uh thank you for having me. Good afternoon, everybody. I'm Lieutenant David Davis. I work in the public affairs office. Ironically enough, I was on the Mounted Police unit as well in my career, and I had a chance to ride Willow as well. Um we're joined today by her current rider, Don Montemuro, as well as her original owner, Christina Cameron. Cayman. Christina Cayman. Um so yes, today's a very special day. We get to honor Willow uh and her service to the city of Raleigh. Um I joined the unit back in 2015. Willow had already been there for a few years. I was assigned a new horse called Zeb. Zeb was very fond of Willow, however, that wasn't reciprocated. She she she was very fond of Ike, our other horse that we had in the unit. So very, very tight group. Our our horses were very unique.
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