City Council

Council reverses Berkshire Downs annexation, may delay tiered water rates

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The Raleigh City Council decided to rescind the annexation of the Berkshire Downs neighborhood at today’s council meeting. The city had annexed the property earlier this year. Councilors also voted to delay the tiered water rates because of problems implementing the system and increase rates in the interim. The council will have to have a second vote at their next meeting to finalize the water rate hike and tiered rate delay.

City Council

City Council preview: Tiered water rate system to be delayed

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The tiered water rates and the city’s new water and sewer billing system are not ready and the public utilities department needs to delay the Dec. 1 launch. Also, Roger Koopman has asked to revisit the Berkshire Downs annexation. The council could approve an application for the city to build a hydroelectric dam at Falls Lake; 193 more parking pay stations will cost $1.6 million; And the fire department wants approval to give a bus to the Dragon Slayers Motorcycle Club.

City Council

Raleigh puts its two cents in for Falls Lake water quality rules

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Raleigh City Council approved a proposal to the state that could govern nutrient levels in Falls Lake. The plan includes regulations to control nitrogen and phosphorus in Falls Lake, which is considered an impaired water-body under the Clean Water Act. The Falls Lake Stakeholders, which includes Raleigh city government, developed the nutrient management plan to recommend to the state Environmental Management Commission next year as it develops environmental rules for the lake. If approved, the rules could go into effect in 2011. Inter-governmental cooperation is crucial, according to Upper Neuse Riverkeeper Alissa Bierma, since Falls Lake is in more that one city and more than one county.

City Council

Brier Creek residents oppose Firestone

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About 30 members of the Brier Creek community turned up at the Raleigh City Council’s Sept. 1 meeting to protest the proposed construction of a Firestone Auto on the outskirts of their neighborhood. “In summary, I feel we have a fundamentally flawed planning situation,” said David Haeussler, who spoke to council on behalf of the Brier Creek homeowners. Plans call for locating the 7,575 foot building on a 1.5 acre site at the intersection of T.W. Alexander and Sporting Club Drives, less than 400 feet from residential homes. Haeussler presented a host of concerns he said were shared by more than 200 Brier Creek residents, including the appearance of the structure and the loud noise and increased traffic it could bring to the planned community.

City Council

Glenwood Ave Sewer Line Costs Soar After Spill

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Replacing a corroded sewer line along along Glenwood Avenue will now cost more than $3.2 million, up by almost $730,000, after the line failed in late April. City council members voted Tuesday to approve the increase.

Workers began to replace sections of the line about six months ago, a task that was projected to cost around $2.5 million. The pipe was initially built with state of the art linings intended to prevent corrosion, but those began to fail, according to Robert Massengill, assistant director of public utilities.

City Council

Comp Plan Back at Council

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The planning commission handed the 2030 Comprehensive Plan back to the Raleigh City Council after reviewing resident comments and making 175 amendments. Council will now consider the commission’s certified recommendations in a series of August meetings and public hearings.

City Council

Raleigh’s new budget, manager keeps his raise

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Council passes its new budget Tuesday with $1.8 million in changes. The new budget keeps the transit funding for Raleigh’s elderly and disabled residents, increases taxes for downtown businesses and will fund requests for a handful of nonprofits. It also includes 4 percent merit pay raises for city employees. And City Manager Russell Allen gets to keep his raise.