Raleigh Public Record (https://theraleighcommons.org/raleighpublicrecord/topics/news/page/159/)
The two-month comment period for the rewrite of Raleigh’s zoning code closes Monday. Some community leaders say they are still struggling to digest the technical document. The Unified Development Ordinance has been in the works for more than a year and puts the conceptual vision of Raleigh into law, as laid out in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
Raleigh’s bus system experienced a 72 percent ridership increase in the past five years, rising from 351,061 in May 2006 to 482,935 in April 2011. Yet, thanks to ongoing budget woes, transit officials have no major plans for expansion in the next fiscal year.
A whitewater park planned for the Neuse River in Raleigh could become a reality, assuming a nonprofit can get environmental approvals and raise enough money to cover the $2.8 million price tag. Last month the Raleigh City Council unanimously voted in favor of design plans outlining the park on the Neuse River, right below the Falls Lake Dam.
More than 100 people are planning to converge downtown Raleigh this weekend for a three-day brainstorming session on how to use technology to increase the transparency of local government. Organizers will award $5,000 to the group with the most promising project that uses open-source technology to improve local government.
The Wake County Public School System, like other districts in North Carolina, uses the Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS) to rate its teachers. But EVAAS has drawn fire from education academics, teachers and teacher organizations in the state and around the country. Despite these criticisms, Wake Superintendent Tony Tata is already attempting to use EVAAS to staff struggling schools and classrooms with teachers deemed effective by the program.
The website offering details of new Wake County student assignment plans has received almost 170,000 page views since it went live Monday afternoon.
While Raleigh residents may not feel the effects of cuts in the 2011-12 proposed budget, the same can’t be said for city employees. The $634.9 million budget is a 2.5 percent increase from last year, with no tax increase. But at a cost: Cuts and reductions in city personnel.
Downtown Raleigh visitors could soon see advertisements in the city’s parking decks, but they won’t see higher parking rates. The City Council’s Budget and Economic Development Committee Tuesday approved two recommendations from the Downtown Raleigh Alliance aimed at increasing the city’s parking revenue. The full Council still has to approve the changes.
Some City Council members Tuesday questioned the increasing cost of the city’s software system after recently agreeing to spend another $500,000 on the $30 million project.
Residents whose homes were destroyed in the April 16 tornado could have access to city funding for repairs. The City Council’s Budget and Economic Development Committee unanimously approved a measure Monday to provide $400,000 for low and moderate-income residents who have exhausted all other avenues of financial assistance.
