Can residents and developers compromise on how this Raleigh neighborhood grows?
Raleigh city leaders want neighbors and developers to seek a compromise in a controversial rezoning in the historic Mordecai neighborhood.
Apartments already exist at 405 Clover Lane in the Mordecai neighborhood north of downtown, but they would be illegal to build under the current zoning rules. Developers want the city to rezone the land so they can build a four- or five-story building with up to 310 apartments.
Neighborhood residents and developers argued their cases before the Raleigh City Council during a public hearing Tuesday night.
“The goal would be to increase the density in an area that’s incredibly walkable, a great neighborhood (and) at a location where there’s already existing homes and families,” said Toby Coleman, representing the owners, Clover Lane LLC.
Several Mordecai residents attended with signs, some standing along the back wall so the council members could see them better.
“Less is more in Mordecai,” read one sign.
“No real plans? No Rezoning. Keep Clover Lane.”
“Insist on clear conditions.”
“Rezone Mordecai responsibly.”
Will Petry was one of four neighbors who spoke against the rezoning request and lifted up a petition signed by over 300 people.
“Whether intended or not, this rezoning case will set a precedent for similar sites in our neighborhood,” he said. “We must get this right. And we are confident that we can get it right with council support for the handful of feasible safeguards we are still asking for.”
Those concerns include height, building setbacks, traffic, affordability, parking and stormwater rules, among others.
The current 57 apartments on the site rent for $1,550 to $1,800 a month and are considered naturally occurring affordable housing.
“We have heard a lot about the need to take care of the existing residents,” Coleman said, adding the developers are working with staff for zoning conditions that would require them to give the current residents more notice before they have to leave and to help with relocation.
The City Council decided to bring the case back on Feb. 21 to see if the neighborhood and developers can come to a compromise.
Other public hearing cases:
▪ A proposed rezoning at Peace and West streets near the future Smokey Hollow Park was sent to the council’s Safe, Vibrant and Health Community committee for more discussion. Developers want to build up to 30 stories, but neighbors in the nearby historic Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood have reservations.
“We’re going to talk about how height is an issue,” said Roy Attride, representing the Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood. “I don’t want to mix and match what we’re concerned about.
▪ The Dix Edge Area Study Final Report was sent to the Growth and Natural Resources committee for more discussion. (Read that story here: tinyurl.com/267sjaa4)
▪ The rezoning case for city-owned property along Wilmington Street was sent to the Growth and Natural Resources committee for more discussion after residents raised concerns about putting affordable housing near a flood zone.
