30-story project gets Raleigh board’s support over neighborhood objections
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Raleigh Planning Commission supports rezoning for 30-story apartment project.
- New plan adds $1.2M affordable housing offer and 938 residential units.
- Neighborhood groups oppose height increase near historic homes and park.
The Raleigh Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval Tuesday for an up to 30-story project with over 900 apartments on the edge of downtown Raleigh.
Raleigh Development Co. owns the 2.6-acre lot at the northeast corner of Peace and West streets. It borders the future Smoky Hollow Park and is across the street from the Publix.
The mostly one- and two-story buildings there now house businesses such as Endless Grind Skate Shop, Knuckle Up Boxing Gym and Oak City Printing.
What is being proposed?
Developers want to rezone the property to raise the maximum allowed height from 12 to 30 stories. They would build up to 360 feet or about 30 stories on the front half touching Peace Street, and up to 240 feet or 25 stories on the remaining half
The proposal caps the office space to 500,000 square feet, less than what is allowed now, but doubles the number of residential units to 938.
The developer is offering to give the city $1.2 million for affordable housing before the certificate of occupancy for the 500th unit can be issued.
City staff say the rezoning would be consistent with numerous policies in Raleigh’s comprehensive plan.
What did supporters say?
Jason Barron, the attorney representing the developer, declined to comment after the planning board meeting.
“Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation that’s out in the public related to comprehensive plan policies that speak to this case,” Barron said during the meeting. “But there can be no mistake that this case is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan.”
This development decreases sprawl and encourages the type of development the city has been seeking, he said.
Will Choi, an architect, spoke in favor of the rezoning, saying it would help address issues like affordable housing, mass transit, downtown safety and environmental work.
“How can we address housing shortages without increasing the supply of housing?” Choi asked. “How can we establish mass transit without a mass of people who will ride it? How can we increase safety in downtown without any eyes or foot traffic on the streets?
“Density is a crucial ingredient in making Raleigh livable for people like me and the thousands of nearby apartment dwellers who did not feel compelled to come out and oppose this rezoning today,” he said.
What do neighbors want?
The development is close to the historic Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood, and neighbors have rallied against this rezoning at two previous neighborhood meetings. They believe the zoning should remain at 12 stories since it’s so close to historic homes. Others have also expressed concern about increased traffic and stress of more cars on Peace Street.
They’ve put up signs, started a petition, formed the group Raleigh Neighbors United and warned other historic neighborhoods near downtown that their neighborhoods could be the next to be developed if these plans are approved.
Raleigh Neighbors United has argued that the rezoning is not consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and they’ve disagreed with how the property is classified as it relates to transit.
A bus rapid transit line is planned for Capital Boulevard, and a bus station is planned for Capital and Peace Street. Neighbors say the property should not be considered a frequent transit area, which allows taller buildings, because a station location hasn’t been finalized. But city staff said this property is already frequented by transit because of the R-Line, a downtown circulator.
“There’s tons of wonderful places to put a 30-story building,” said Matthew Brown. “On this overloaded street next to this historic treasure is not the place.”
Gaston Williams spoke on behalf of Preservation Raleigh, arguing that the project could hurt the historic neighorhoods near downtown’s edges.
“This sets a great precedent for many historic neighborhoods in the area that could result in a destruction or diminution of the historic districts,” he said. “The consequences for long-term residents in these areas are great.”
The Mordecai and Five Points citizen advisory councils have planned a joint meeting for 7 p.m. Aug. 18 at Halifax Park Community Center to discuss this rezoning case.
Hasn’t this project been heard before?
In May 2023, the Raleigh City Council voted to deny a rezoning request for this property with a similar request. That proposal capped the height at 30 stories but contained no affordable housing money.
Since then, an election ushered in new members of the Raleigh City Council. Earlier this year, it voted to waive the two-year waiting period for the developers to resubmit a rezoning request.
When will the Raleigh City Council vote?
The Raleigh City Council will set a public hearing date now that the Planning Commission has made a recommendation. The City Council will vote after the public hearing, though it could take several meetings.
This story was originally published August 12, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
