Why RDU airport opposes a rezoning that could bring hundreds of homes to Raleigh
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Developers propose rezoning for up to 725 units on nearly 32 acres
- Airport CEO Landguth wrote in 2025 that the airport strictly opposes removing the overlay.
- Owners request annexation of about 17 acres in Durham County into Raleigh.
Developers are facing opposition from Raleigh-Durham International Airport on zoning changes they need to build over 700 homes on undeveloped land in northwest Raleigh.
The owners of the site between Leesville and Shady Grove roads indicated in a city Planning Commission meeting Tuesday they have no firm plans for the nearly 32-acre area.
However, Molly Stuart, the attorney for the developers, showed commissioners a picture of potential housing that appeared to be four-story apartment buildings.
What could developers build if their proposal is approved?
Part of the site, about 17 acres, lies in Durham County outside Raleigh’s borders. The owners of the land, Angus Barn Properties and the Pettus family, are asking for that land to be annexed into the city as part of the request.
The application was sent by Mill Creek, a company that also developed nearby townhomes in Durham at Amavi Brier Creek and apartments at Alister Lake Lynn in Raleigh.
If the rezoning is approved, the site could be developed in one of six ways, according to planning documents:
- 725 residential units
- 400 residential units, 58,000 square feet of office space, and 40,000 square feet of retail
- 400 residential units and 85,000 square feet of office space
- 400 residential units and 65,000 square feet of retail
- 150,000 square feet of office space and 25,000 square feet of retail
- 175,000 square feet of office space
Developers said they are also limited by Sycamore Creek, which runs north to south through the middle of the property and eventually drains into Big Lake at William B. Umstead State Park, as well as a planned extension of T.W. Alexander Drive through the northern part of the property.
What does the airport say?
Airport authority CEO Michael Landguth wrote in a letter in 2025 that the airport opposes removing the overlay district on the property, which would be a required step for residential development.
“Recent research published by the Federal Aviation Administration reflected that increased exposure to aircraft noise is strongly correlated with increased levels of reported annoyance or disturbance,“ he wrote.
The overlay provides “vital” protection for the airport, he said, outlining in the letter how removing it could expose the airport to lawsuits citing noise complaints from aircraft.
Landguth said that if development does move forward, that residential areas should be built with noise-dampening materials and that the property should have an “aviation easement” which would allow planes to fly over the area without restrictions.
Mill Creek agrees to those conditions, Stuart indicated.
What are neighbors’ objections?
Neighbors say the land should be preserved. They also argue that potential apartment complexes allowed by the rezoning would be inconsistent with the single-family homes nearby.
“In a half mile in every direction [there is] is nothing but two-story, single-family homes,” said Donovan Patterson, a nearby resident. “A four-story apartment complex would just not fit in with this;, it would be a very jarring transition.”
Patterson added that he already has concerns about traffic in the area and the lack of sidewalks.
Dan Barnes, also a nearby resident, raised a concern about developing the property when a portion of it is wetland because of Sycamore Creek.
What’s next?
Planning commissioners deferred their vote on the rezoning until their meeting June 23.
Several commissioners said they wanted more time to consider the complex proposal.
The planning commission can only make a recommendation on the rezoning — the City Council has the final say.
