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District D Neighborhood Alliance (DDNA) meeting notes from May 2009. It was standing room only today, with over 30 District D neighbors attending. The meeting was focused on reviewing the 2030 Draft Comprehensive Plan. The Growth Framework map, Greenprint map, and Future Land Use Map were electronically projected for review. Maps for the draft comprehensive plan can he found on the Supporting Maps page on the city’s website. A resounding theme throughout the meeting was to keep Raleigh what makes it Raleigh, and maintain the concept of a city within a park.
Meeting Notes
The group reviewed the Growth Framework Map [PDF]. This map is not used for zoning, and is for illustrative purposed only. We noted that there are five major rail stops planned in District D. Some folks were concerned with the growth impact on the neighborhoods around Cameron Village; which could create a future bottle neck scenario on Wade Avenue (connecting to RTP) because of the proposed growth area. There was also notable concern with a dotted line (road proposal) near Ready Creek which currently has a 25 MPH speed limit but is designated a minor thoroughfare.
The group also reviewed the Greenprint [PDF], the map that highlights parks and areas that must be environmentally sustained or are environmentally sensitive. The 2030 study group strongly believes that the Greenprint should be the foundation of the land use map and that the focus should be on sustainability.
Next, was the Future Land Use Map [PDF]. The group spent the most time on this map and drilled down to each neighborhood where concerns were raised and requested changes noted. First a baseline was established and the different colors, densities, and designation were reviewed. Then, a few of the major concerns expressed by the 2030 study groups were stated:
- transitions from one density to another; the analogy for transitions used was to think of weddings cakes instead of canyons
- concerns on the 320 units / acre for downtown without any height restrictions and questions from new members: Is downtown big enough to handle that kind of density?
- planning for schools is not included in the plan
- opportunities to redevelop older / declining shopping centers
A few other items were mentioned before we drilled down to each neighborhood. The city is only projected to grow by 250,000 people, which is basically doubling the current population. The public hearings on the comprehensive plan (for adaption) will not go to sub-committee and the mayor has indicated that the meetings will be held during evening hours. A concern from one person was that the current review of the plan in the Planning Commission appears to be similar to “spot zoning.” They feel that the Planning Commission is only reviewing individual interests and not taking a holistic approach to reviewing the plan.
Ridgewood
Concerns about:
- future expansion of shopping center and impacts to the neighborhood
- no height limits specified
- buffers between density types
- tree protections, as one person stated, Raleigh can easily become the “City of Oak Stumps”
Caraliegh
Concerns about:
- missing churches / institutional properties not reflected on the map
- identifying permanent green space at the current medium density (south west area) to create of buffer of green for better transition
- adding a policy line on the East side of Caraleigh as indicated in the Small Area Plan and recommending a three-story restriction
- protecting the visual corridor / view from South Saunders street (into downtown)
Fuller Heights
Concerns about:
- a low density residential area surrounded by higher density; in danger of future development “squeeze”
- transit planning / stop at the Farmer’s Market (where current rail line exists) to accommodate for proposed high density residential to the East of Dix Campus / Park
Boylan Heights
Concerns about:
- Central Business District (CBD) coming right up to the edge of the neighborhood
- recommending that the Comprehensive Plan honor the Gateway Plan [PDF]
Lineberry / Centennial South
Concerns about:
- recommending a special study area around the Stewart Drive area
- need to add a park at Lineberry Drive and Sierra Drive on map
- extending neighborhood retail North along Lake Wheeler Road from existing shopping center (Raleigh Oaks at Tryon and Lake Wheeler) to better serve the neighborhood (up to Lineberry Drive)
- adding more green space for transitions
- density proposed at Tryon / Gorman and if it’s correct type of density for auto-oriented transit
Cameron Village
Concerns about:
- western edge of commercial mixed retail
- Small Area Plan being eroded when it should be included in the plan
- a low density residential area surrounded by higher density near Sutton
Two upcoming text changes
- removing the Urban Design Guidelines (UDG) from downtown
- eliminating the design guidelines for neighborhood / village centers
Members in attendance were curious about the rationale behind the requested text changes
How do we comment on the plan?
The plan is currently under review by the Planning Commission, one can comment at one of their meetings. Additionally, concerned citizens can write the mayor and city council with their concerns. Also, it is highly encouraged to attend the public hearings slotted for the June / July 2009 timeframe. The DDNA 2030 study groups will be making a formal submission during this time for our requested changes and suggestions. This submission will include a land use map updated with our recommendations.
If you have a recommendation for a change on the land use map, DDNA will be compiling of list of changes. Please contact Thomas Crowder or Jason Hibbets with the details of your change request.
Resources:
- Limehouse Portal: Comp Plan-Public Hearing Draft
- Supporting Maps
Attendance
- Connie Crumpler – Caraleigh / SWCAC
- Will Allen – Cameron Village
- Cheryl Wilson – Budleigh
- Billy Shelton – Wade Avenue
- George Adler – Calvin Road
- Jim Paumier – Fairview Acres
- John Cargill – Ridgewood
- Phil Poe – Glenwood-Brooklyn
- Dale Hoover – Ridgewood
- Doug Puryear – Ridgewood
- Anne Puryear – Ridgewood
- Cissy McKissick – Roylene Acres
- David Barber – Roylene Acres
- Jean Spooner – Umstead Coalition
- Ana Duncan Pardo – West Morgan / Hillsborough CAC
- R. Bethea – Method / West CAC
- Tommy Kagan – Ridgewood
- Jason Hibbets – Lineberry / SWCAC
- Pete Huckins – Pullen Park Terrace
- Joe Boisvert – University Park / UPHA
- Sophia Kathariou – Wade Avenue
- John Reaves, Jr. – Caraleigh / SWCAC
- Peggy Seymore – Stanhope
- Roger Thompson – Wade Avenue
- Kathy Foglia – University Park / UPHA
- Drew Foglia – University Park / UPHA
- Lana Dial – Lake Johnson Harbour
- Colleen Frazer – Ridgewood
- Diana Koenning – Ridgewood
- Mary Belle Pate – Fairway Acres / SWCAC
- Matthew Staton – Boylan Heights
- Lynne Peters
- Thomas Crowder
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About: Jason: I'm a neighborhood advocate. I started off by getting involved in the Pleasant Ridge & Ramsgate Community Watch program and helped grow that organization. I saw an opportunity to unite other neighborhoods in our area with the Lineberry Alliance. I became chair of Raleigh's South West Citizen Advisory Council (SWCAC) in April 2010 along with vice chair Anthony McLeod and second vice chair Mary Belle Pate. I work with other neighborhood leaders in District D alongside City Councilor Thomas Crowder, on the District D Neighborhood Alliance (DDNA). I've completed Raleigh Neighborhood College (Spring 2005) and Leadership North Carolina (May 2007). In 2009, I lead a group of neighborhood volunteers to review Raleigh's 2030 Comprehensive Plan. I have a genuine interest in strong communities, fostering diversity, understanding the issues, and being transparent in my work. You can follow me on Twitter: @jhibbets |
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