Kerry O’Sullivan: Raleigh needs balanced UDO

The Aug. 29 Point of View “Keep the faith in planning” omitted important information.

First, the Triangle Community Coalition is a special interest group of, by and for commercial developers. That’s fine, yet that’s not presented in the column.

Next, in describing a TCC poll, we read, “Nearly 60 percent of Raleigh residents believe the city is on the right track and over 60 percent approve of the work being done by the City Council.” That doesn’t mean 60 percent of people support the Urban Development Ordinance, and evidence suggests otherwise.

Finally, the writer attempted to diminish citywide concerns over the UDO by saying it’s a “small but vocal group.” Yet he failed to mention two July public hearings where hundreds of people from all parts of the city turned out in droves! One resident after another expressed concerns that the UDO threatens neighborhoods. That’s no “small group.”

The UDO is being propped up by those who stand to gain if it is implemented in its current form – developers. As the July hearings demonstrated, Raleigh residents and neighborhood interests stand to lose unless City Council fixes the UDO. The writer may disregard resident concerns. But here’s hoping City Council chooses a different approach that balances growth with appropriate neighborhood protections.

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Kerry O’Sullivan: Raleigh needs balanced UDO."