On Tuesday, the Planning Commission approved the rezoning application for the 401 Oberlin project.
Developers requested that the 3-acre parcel on the corner of Oberlin Road and Clark Avenue be rezoned as Shopping Center Conditional with a Pedestrian Business Overlay, which would allow more rental units on the property than the current zoning district of residential-20 with a neighborhood conservation overlay and Office and Institution-1.
The area is currently zoned as Neighborhood Mixed Use in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and the Future Land Use Map. The planning commission approved the application despite the inconsistency because it complemented the surrounding land uses and would provide a pedestrian-friendly environment.
If the council approves the rezoning, the next phase would be preliminary site plan review.
Property Sale to St. Augustine’s College
If approved by the city council, St. Augustine’s College will begin purchasing 15 city-owned lots in Southeast Raleigh in order to build single family homes for low- and moderate-income residents. The city will sell the properties to the college for $20,000 per lot at 0 percent interest until the homes are purchased.
Due to the stipulations in the grant the college received to fund the project, the homes must be built by 2013.
Marc Newman, Vice President of Institutional Advancement said that the school has a vested interest in the revitalization of the community because it is one of the key factors in attracting faculty, students and staff to the college.
“The better off the neighborhood,” said Newman. “The better off we are.”
If council approves the sale, there will be a public hearing on Nov. 1.
Supportive Housing Registration Recommended
After its meeting on Tuesday, The Law and Public Safety Committee recommends that staff create a supportive housing registration program, which would begin January 1. Organizations that run supportive homes would be required to register with the city and pay an annual $76 fee.
The recommendation came after staff presented its finding that without an annual renewal program, they are unable to determine how many supportive homes were still in operation. Over the past 20 years, 319 homes applied for supportive housing status, but the city believes that only 216 remain active.
The committee also recommends that the proposed ordinance (TC 3-11) to increase the distance between supportive houses from 375 yards to 880 yards be denied.
Board to Present Public Art Policy
The Public Art and Design Board will present its public art policy to the council. The policy will outline how public art is acquired, handled and managed.
Passenger Rail Task Force Asks for Endorsement
The Passenger Rail Task Force will ask the city for its endorsement of Alternative F2, which will connect the light rail route to Triangle Town Center by way of connections on Old Wake Forest Road and Sumner Boulevard.
