March 2023 meetings summary: transit, Char-Grill, missing middle housing
We had several City Council meetings in March, including the start of our budget work sessions. Below is a summary of noteworthy actions:
1. We approved funding for a non-sworn social work supervisor and three additional social worker positions for the Raleigh Police Department ACORNS team. The ACORNS (Addressing Crises through Outreach, Referrals, Networking, and Service) team has been tasked to connect with individuals in crisis and provide them with the resources. The team utilizes a “care and safety first, enforcement last” approach.
2. We approved a rezoning request for the Char-Grill site downtown. The owners of Char-Grill sold the land for development and were in support of the rezoning request. The sale was intended to provide for the long-term financial stability of the company and their family. Char-Grill will remain on site, in operation throughout the permitting and planning phases of the new development, and when construction is finished, Char-Grill will be the first tenant in the new building. The rezoning also provided for the relocation of a historical house located on the property.
3. We had a work session discussion about the future of fare free transit in Raleigh, and other transit strategies. Raleigh buses have been far free since March 2020. Presently, the loss of fare revenue is being supplemented by COVID-related funds, but those funds will extinguish within the next year. During the work session, we learned that there are many benefits associated with fare free transit, including reducing barriers to transit use and increased ridership, decreasing disputes over fare collection, and enhanced operational efficiencies of the buses. We also learned about some challenges associated with fare free transit, specifically a high number of non-destination riders seeking shelter on the buses.
For me, the biggest take away from the staff presentation was learning that 82% of our transit users make less than $35k per year. Accessibility and equity is the biggest benefit of transit remaining fare free. Over the next few months, I look forward to working with my colleagues on City Council and staff on a plan for moving forward that, I hope, will keep our buses fare free, while also addressing any funding gaps, increasing service, and addressing some rider and transit operator safety issues. Stay tuned for more information on this issue.
4. We received an update on our zoning changes to allow different types of housing in more places. In 2021 and 2022, the City Council took some big strides to eliminate exclusionary zoning laws and to allow ADUs (accessory dwelling units) citywide, and to allow construction of -plexes, tiny homes, and townhouses in more places in the city. These changes are in line with national trends, including guidance from the Democratic President, Joe Biden. In fact, the Biden administration is awarding grants to cities and towns who make these changes. However, like any change, there have been some members of the community who are upset or confused, so staff initiated a series of informative meeting which took place across the city (and virtually) the past several months. You can review the entire report and presentation here.
My big takeaways were, nearly everyone in the city agrees housing affordability is a major issue, if not the major issue, we just don't all agree on how to fix it. And most of the residents who provided feedback are older, white homeowners; 80% of respondents were over the age of 45, while 60% of our city is under the age of 45; 80% of the respondents were homeowners, while 48% of the residents in our city are non-homeowners.
We need to be hearing from more voices and lived experiences on these issues. Most of the people we hear from already have theirs; these decisions impact those trying to settle down, own a home, or find somewhere to live. It's about the future of Raleigh. Please join the conversation.
5. We received an update on Bus Rapid Transit. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is essentially "light rail on wheels." The buses are specialized, connected vehicles which run in mostly dedicated lanes, with enhanced, elevated stations, and signal priority. In 2016, voters approved the Wake County Transit Plan which calls for construction of 4 BRT routes, radiating from downtown Raleigh. The New Bern Avenue (east) route is scheduled to begin construction this year. The Southern route to Garner just received a supportive rating from the federal government and is recommended for funding in the president's FY24 budget. The Western route to downtown Cary is in the early planning stages, and will have stops at Dix Park, NC State, Fenton, and the WakeMed Soccer Park. The Northern route will run to either midtown or Triangle Town Center, or both; that route is still being studied and construction is scheduled for completion last.
Our next City Council meetings are Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dreamville Music Festival is this weekend, and there will be several free, associated events downtown. It'll be a great weekend and get out and have some fun. I hope to see you around. https://dreamvillefest.com/home/
jonathan.melton@raleighnc.gov
