Raleigh City Council Meeting: Budget, Bonds, Zoning, and Public Safety on April 21, 2026
Raleigh City Council Meeting: Budget, Bonds, Zoning, and Public Safety on April 21, 2026
The Raleigh City Council met on April 21, 2026, to address a wide range of agenda items, including public comment on the proposed budget and several rezonings, approval of the FY2027 Human Service Agency Grants, authorization to proceed with $203 million in housing and transportation bonds, adoption of the Safe Streets for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, funding for five affordable housing developments, adoption of the Forestville Road Park Master Plan, various zoning and annexation decisions, and board appointments. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Unnamed Speaker: Criticized the FY27 budget, proposing cost-saving measures such as withholding additional ECC staff until AI technology is proven, using contractors for pavement marking, and reviewing underutilized bus routes. Warned of potential 3–5% property tax increases and 3–10% service fee increases, and called for a thorough council review of the budget.
- Mama Kai Sanders: Proposed operating parks and recreation facilities as an enterprise with membership levels to generate revenue, and advocated for community centers as third spaces with amenities like maker spaces, after-school care, and coworking areas.
- Octavia Rainey: Addressed gun violence, called for a youth summit, and criticized biased media reporting and unequal treatment of Southeast Raleigh.
- Lans Perry: Opposed rezoning Z-43-25 at 6309 Lichford Road, citing safety issues, lack of sidewalks, and the Planning Commission's 8–1 disapproval.
- Carrie Bennington: Opposed the Big Branch Greenway connector route through Anderson Forest, highlighting cost overruns (from $4.48 million to over $8.65 million), lack of transparency, and fiscal irresponsibility.
- Taylor Stewart: Detailed cost overruns and staff bias in the greenway route selection, arguing that cheaper alternatives exist.
- Mary Ivy Stewart: Alleged staff bias in presentations and surveys that steered the public toward the Anderson Forest route, and advocated for a street-side alternative.
- Ashley Armstrong: Criticized disconnected city policies, poor practices in parks and transportation, and called for respect and safety.
- Athena Wallum: Advocated for preserving and restoring Raleigh's creek ecosystems and responsible land conservation.
- Larissa Green: Thanked staff and the Planning Commission for their 8–1 vote to disapprove Z-43-25, and urged the council to deny the rezoning.
- Victoria Reich: Opposed Z-43-25 due to safety concerns for students walking to Millbrook High School without sidewalks.
- Leon Reich: Opposed Z-43-25, citing lack of safe infrastructure for families and students.
Discussion Items
FY2027 Human Service Agency Grants
- The Human Relations Commission recommended funding 35 organizations, including nine first-time applicants, for a total of $911,350. The commission also read a statement recommending the city establish clear criteria for legacy grants, which account for 40% of funding but lack documented origin. The council approved the grant recommendations unanimously.
2026 Housing and Transportation Bonds
- Finance Director Alison Bradsher presented a plan to place $203 million in general obligation bonds on the November ballot: $101.5 million for transportation (including BRT, sidewalks, bike lanes) and $101.5 million for housing (development, homebuyer assistance, homelessness response). The bonds would require no tax increase under the city's steady-state debt capacity. The council voted unanimously to authorize proceeding with the application.
Safe Streets for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan
- Transportation staff presented the final plan aiming to reduce serious injuries and fatalities over the next decade. The plan includes a high-injury network, safety countermeasure toolkit, and policy updates. Approval of the resolution endorsing the plan was needed to pursue federal implementation grants. The council adopted the resolution unanimously.
Rental Development Funding
- Housing staff recommended conditional commitments of $9.9 million to five projects totaling 491 units: Brookhaven (senior, up to 60% AMI), Eagle Trace (senior, up to 50% AMI with 90 project-based vouchers), Heritage Park 1A (senior, with 28 project-based vouchers), The Willow (family, up to 70% AMI with 39 project-based vouchers), and one additional project. The council approved the funding unanimously.
Forestville Road Park Master Plan
- The Parks, Recreation, and Greenway Advisory Board recommended adoption of the master plan for this 25-acre site in northeast Raleigh, which includes trails, an adventure playground, multi-sport court, historic interpretation area, and pollinator meadow. Community engagement involved 450+ touchpoints. The council adopted the master plan unanimously.
Zoning and Annexation Items
- Z-38-25 Trailwood Drive: Set public hearing for May 5 evening (revised conditions).
- AX-31-25 and Z-36-25 Page Road: Annexation and rezoning from rural residential to industrial mixed use approved unanimously.
- Avant Ferry Road Assemblage: Deferred to May 5 at the applicant's request.
- Z-47-25 Crest Road: Rezoning from RX-3 to RX-7 (increase from 3 to 7 stories) with conditions, including $115,000 affordable housing contribution, approved unanimously.
- CP-01-25 Macon Pond Road: Proposed realignment of a street plan line. The Planning Commission recommended denial and suggested removal. After debate, a motion to deny the amendment failed (only one vote in favor). No further action was taken, leaving the street plan unchanged.
Public Nuisance Liens
- Confirmed liens for four properties: 401 Alston St, 405 Alston St, 604 Donner Ross, and 2711 Leyden St (vacant). Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved FY2027 Human Service Agency Grants: 35 organizations funded for $911,350.
- Authorized $203 million in housing and transportation bonds for November ballot.
- Adopted Safe Streets for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan resolution.
- Approved $9.9 million in rental development funding for 491 units.
- Adopted Forestville Road Park Master Plan.
- Approved annexation and rezoning for Page Road (industrial mixed use).
- Deferred Avant Ferry rezoning to May 5.
- Approved Crest Road rezoning (RX-7, 7 stories).
- Denied (effectively) the Macon Pond Road street plan amendment; no change to plan.
- Confirmed public nuisance liens for four properties.
- Board appointments: Deborah Thomas (Parks, Rec, & Greenway Advisory Board), Hart Evans (Transit Authority alternate), Dwight Otwell (Planning Commission). Vacancies noted for Arts Commission, Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Environmental Advisory Board, and Planning Commission (ETJ seat).
Meeting Transcript
The council meeting. Uh, we will start as always with the Pledge of Allegiance, and I will allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All in favor of the motion, aye. All opposed, nay. So that passes. If the Iran war will have an impact, present the numbers and that general statements. Withhold additional ECC staff until proven AI technology is fully implemented. Additional inspectors from the staffing study should be offset with service revenue. Leaf pickup is transferred to solid waste but no reduction in transportation headcount. Service changes from bi-weekly to weekly, both absurd in reevaluation. To Megan's question, Ms. Gupta needs to come back quarterly with delivery model updates, not in a year. Essential pavement marking can be done by contractors. With a $25 million general fund subsidy, go rally reviews are needed on underutilized bus routes, 15% back-to-back yearly increase is additional revenue from new routes and new fares. The proposed 200 million GOB justified by city debt affordability limits is a weak argument, analogous to running out more credit card debt because the approved limit is high enough. The current budget trajectory likely increases property taxes 3 to 5 percent. Service fees 3 to 10 percent. All of you and I can afford it, but not low-income and working families. The FY26 budget emphasized city employees is the greatest assets, but mentions taxpayers who pay for everything just once. A fundamental mentality problem. Council is one month to collaborate and replace the softball questions with a thorough responsible review and challenge of the entire budget. Every department headcount and dollar accomplishments and FY27 plans, presumably city manager, reviews it monthly, certainly quarterly. If she wants approval for the entire budget, then direct her to review the entire budget. All organizations. Thank you. Thank you. Mama Kai Sanders. Good afternoon. It's another amazing day in paradise. Thank you for being here. I appreciate this opportunity to speak. I'm going to continue with my remarks from last week where I suggested some aspect of our parks and rec should be opened, should be operated as an enterprise like water and solid waste. By creating membership levels, including a free one, individuals and families can receive different benefits so the community centers can actually be used by the community as one way to address the tax deficit. Our community centers should be our third spaces. If you're not familiar with this term, a third place is a familiar public spot where you regularly connect with others known and unknown over a shared interest or activity. Ray Oldenburg, who coined the term, argued it is necessary for public well-being. What suburbia cries for are the means for people to gather easily and expensively, regularly and pleasurably. Our community centers should be these places. They currently are not. Think of it like coworking membership. If community centers were accessible like that, with makerspaces containing art supplies supplies, printers like 3D or laser, or sewing machines, or even a tool library, the city could potentially be generating revenue from the need for places like that. By the way, Durham has all of that in various ways, mostly in their public library system. And Raleigh does in some way with Ruma, Raleigh United Mutual Aid Aid Hub right here in downtown. Need more ideas before and after school care. Play groups should be offered in most community centers daily, especially where a library isn't as easily accessible. Teen and youth meeting spaces from community leaders, partners, and even youth themselves. Indoor play areas, especially when the weather is excessively hot or cold. Um, special interest groups that build community, quiet co-working space, and true refreshments like Juiced, a black-owned juice bar with two locations here in Raleigh because not everyone drinks coffee or raw right up the street. There's also a design from the Real Matter 2025 that was inspired by remarks made by our very own Councilmember Silver.
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