Raleigh City Council Public Hearing on FY27 Budget and Zoning Case – June 2, 2026

The Raleigh City Council held a public hearing on June 2, 2026, to receive comments on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget and to consider a zoning amendment for Martin Street. The meeting began with an announcement that the News & Observer had failed to properly notice two zoning cases (Creedmoor Road and Lichford Road), so no formal decisions could be made on those items. The council voted to send the Lichford Road case back to the Planning Commission and set the Creedmoor Road case for July 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Octavia Rainey: Criticized the $100 million bond, calling for a review of redevelopment areas since 1980 and alleging displacement of Black residents. Asked for a hold on infill development in the inner city and requested access to the community development portfolio, which she stated was not shared.
• Kate Dixon (Chair, Sustainability Wildlife and Urban Trees Committee): Advocated for the 24,000-tree campaign (Leaf Out program), proposing $224,000 in FY26–27 for nonprofit partners to plant 1,000 trees and launch an education campaign, plus a community forester position in the Parks Department.
• Unnamed speaker: Opposed the proposed property tax increase, noting that a $25–$100 monthly rent increase would burden renters already facing cost burdens, and asked for more transparency on combined tax and utility increases.
• Brian Scott: Put the mayor and council on notice for civil rights violations, alleging bullying and intimidation by a Wake County employee. Gave 30 days for contact before pursuing legal action.
• Matthew Cooper (President, Raleigh Police Protective Association): Supported the budget’s infrastructure improvements and new officer hires, but noted that until new officers complete training, existing staff face increased workload (e.g., Stanley Cup security). Called for consistent pay raises and expansion of the take-home vehicle program.
• Jordan Chester (Secretary, Counselor Jones' Lead Collaborative): Praised the budget for investing $11.6 million in affordable housing, an 11% increase in transportation, $3 million for stormwater, and $150,000 for citizens' advisory councils. Noted the tax increase averages $67/year for homeowners, keeping Raleigh’s rate among the lowest in Wake County.
• Ian Burnett: Proposed creating a new Office of Safe Streets to consolidate Vision Zero and traffic safety positions across departments, arguing that safe streets require a systemic solution involving multiple agencies.
• Grady McCauley (Policy Director, North Carolina Conservation Network): Supported the Leaf Out program, citing studies that trees reduce stormwater runoff (10–20% interception), mitigate extreme heat, and reduce heat-related deaths. Noted a 2.2% loss of tree canopy in Raleigh from 2011 to 2021.
• Brittany Jackson (Social services professional): Urged maintaining the full penny for affordable housing, sharing a story of an unsheltered individual signing his first lease. Argued that affordable housing funding directly alleviates human crises.
• Sterling Bowen (23-year resident): Asked for level funding of affordable housing programs, emphasizing the need to support homeowners through repair programs and renters through new units and preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing.
• Ray Leake (Habitat homeowner): Described how homeownership provided stability for her family, especially her child with special needs. Asked the council to continue prioritizing affordable housing.
• Patricia Birch (CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater Raleigh): Thanked the council for the dedicated penny for housing and supported the $101.5 million affordable housing bond. Noted that 69% of Habitat homebuyers in Raleigh use down payment assistance.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Case Z0126 (Martin Street): Staff presented revised conditions for a downtown mixed-use rezoning. The new language preserved masonry and fenestration on the most prominent facade (Martin Street) but did not include alleyway and Commerce Place sides, as requested by the Raleigh Historic Development Commission. The applicant, Jamie Schwedler, explained that the compromise balanced preservation with development needs, noting the building had no historic protections before the conditions. The council adopted the consistency statement and approved the zoning amendment unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Lichford Road case (Z-43): Sent back to Planning Commission due to major changes and potential new conditions (vote: unanimous).
• Creedmoor Road case (TC-0226): Set for July 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. (vote: unanimous).
• Budget public hearing: Concluded without a vote; comments will inform final budget decisions.
• Martin Street rezoning (Z0126): Approved unanimously with conditions as revised.