There is an ordinance proposal (Text Change 05, year 2007) making it’s way to Raleigh City Council on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 that was recently approved by the Planning Commission, TC-05-7. When you get down to the details, you’ll find that current developments zoned O&I-1 or O&I-2 will essentially be allowed to double their density. Sounds great, Raleigh needs more density in the right places, BUT not across the board, not the way the current proposal is written. And I have yet to find any public benefits (transitor or green / open space requirements) attached to this proposal for any development that would take advantage doubling their density.
Summary: TC-5-07 Density / Floor to Area Ratio maximums within the O&I Districts
- Clarifies the Zoning Code to allow a mixed residential/office development within the O&I-1 or O&I-2 districts to maximize both the allowable residential density and maximum office floor area ratio on the same lot.
- Proposes clarifications to the number of principal uses and buildings permitted on a lot.
Here is a more detailed version of the proposed ordinance.
So if you think this is a bad idea, email City Council and tell them that you do not support this. An alternative approach would be to send this to a committee or to consider this text change in the upcoming City-wide Comprehensive Plan update.