The Buffaloe-New Hope Small Area Plan was adopted by city council on May 19 in an effort to establish a community-oriented vision and set of policies for building up an undeveloped 22-acre parcel of land in Northeast Raleigh.
Bing Maps
The area marked by the blue dot has been the source of much rezoning discussion
The plan came about as the result of a controversial 2013 rezoning petition that would have brought a Sheetz to the intersection of Buffaloe and New Hope Roads. After significant community pushback, the case was rejected and an area plan was developed to guide future development.
At the Northeast CAC meeting held June 11, chairwoman Lillian Thompson said the plan was the result of a lot of communication between the city and area residents .
“We’re trying to get a situation where development enhances community,” Thompson said.
She noted that the goal wasn’t to stop development, but rather, to give the community a voice in what direction that development would take. The Buffaloe-New Hope area, she said, was also crucial in establishing a precedent for development throughout the city.
“Buffaloe-New Hope is ground zero for pedestrian-friendly development,” she said, noting that two people, including a child, had been killed at that intersection.
“We need development where we can safely walk.”
New Rezoning
Although the 2013 rezoning case for a Sheetz was denied, a new one proposed for the same parcel, Z-12-15, was recently recommended for approval by the planning commission.
The developers are calling for a shopping center than would not exceed 70,000 square feet, which would be anchored by a 42,000 square-foot grocery store.
Thompson reminded CAC members that a public hearing had been scheduled for July 21 at City Council for the case. Although planning commissioners recommended the case for approval, it is ultimately up to city councilors to decide whether a case can move forward or not.
Another case pending development in the Northeast CAC would create an apartment and townhome community at a parcel encompassing 3612 Buffaloe Road and 3601 Durwood Lane. Thompson said that the CAC would soon be holding a vote on the development.
Wake County
This house, built in 1950, currently sits on the site in question
Other Business
Heather O’Brien from the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources department told CAC attendees that the city was still facing a lifeguard shortage, and that the minimum age requirement for the position was 15. O’Brien also announced that a presentation will be held July 14 at the Forestville CAC for the Draft System Integration Plan for future park property. That meeting will also introduce the Park Master Plan.
Aside from his usual crime report, Officer Porter from the Raleigh Police Department had a number of community outreach programs to announce. These include “Coffee with a Cop” to be held Thursday, June 25 from 9-11 A.M. at the Dunkin Donuts at 8410 Capital Boulevard and National Night Out, which will be held on the first Tuesday in August, as it is every year.
Porter described this annual event as a “Celebration of taking back our neighborhoods.”
Members of the CAC also discussed ways in which to spend the $1,000 budgeted for their annual celebration, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, September 12.
Note – for more coverage on the Northeast CAC, including a crime map and past meeting minutes, be sure to check out our dedicated Northeast CAC page by clicking here.
