Raleigh Public Record (https://theraleighcommons.org/raleighpublicrecord/topics/news/city-council/page/39/)
State officials say they will support Raleigh’s move to ask the state legislature to change a law that prevents permanent structures from being built on Moore Square. The city will need the change in order to move ahead with the proposed redesign of Moore Square.
Sanderson Farms’ proposed plant, dubbed “Project Baseball,” would be located in the Neuse River basin. City officials recently submitted comments to the state saying, in effect, that the facility could force Raleigh to spend more money on clean water initiatives to mitigate the resulting chicken waste in the Neuse.
Photo by bobistraveling.
Raleigh officials blame the poor economy for a possible $1.4 million parking shortfall next year. If the city can’t come up with a plan to increase revenue, future years could look just as bleak with a $13 million shortfall predicted for 2015.
The Raleigh City Council may be able to strike a deal with the state to move ahead with the Moore Square redesign. Councilors also approved parking changes, two bonds for the October ballot and ended sidewalk assessments.
A proposed ordinance would require all new construction to have a designated parking area made of a non-erodible material that is no more than 40 percent of the front lot or 425 square feet – whichever is greater – and some kind of screening along the facing property line, such as hedges. While this part of the regulation would be enacted citywide, individual neighborhoods could apply for an overlay district that would make the ordinance retroactive in their area.
A Raleigh council member is raising concerns about the city employee drug plan and two related contracts.
In their meeting Tuesday, city councilors discussed potential new rules that could make it easier for community gardens to set up. Councilors also approved two new historic landmarks and put the CAC boundary changes on the agenda for a public hearing.
More than a year ago, the Raleigh City Council heavily debated the construction of a new public safety center in downtown Raleigh. Although the issue has been shelved, the debate could play a political role in the upcoming elections.
Raleigh City Planning Manager Christine Darges is responsible for overseeing the team that has been updating, revising and publicizing the new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The first draft of the UDO will be released April 6. The Record chatted with Darges to break down the confusing UDO and find out how will it affect Raleigh denizens.
After more than a decade of discussion and debate, the 18 Citizen Advisory Councils in Raleigh will be changing their boundaries. The Raleigh City Council, which has to approve the changes, will hold a public hearing April 19.
