The News & Observer

North Carolina Tries Toughening Up Emissions Standards

NC Rep. Price Harrison hopes that the third time's a charm when he reintroduces legislation requiring higher auto emissions standards. If it passes, the state's standards may start looking more like California's within the coming year.
12 February 2009 - 6:00am
The News & Observer

Friday Funny: Developers Bad at Naming Streets

Developers often see naming streets as their way of making a mark, naming streets after daughters, alma maters, or the family dog. But they often find themselves tangled up in regulations and the limits of their own creativity.
25 July 2008 - 2:00pm
The News & Observer

Pawnshops 'Inundated', But Facing Hard Times

With gas and food prices climbing to unprecedented levels, many families are turning to pawnshops to cover their bills. Unfortunately, pickups are down and people aren't buying, putting smaller operations at risk of closure.
23 June 2008 - 8:00am
The News & Observer

Raleigh Weighs Proposal To Limit Home Size

With residents pushing for new rules to prevent tear-downs, a measure to temporarily restrict construction of new homes goes before the city council.
24 November 2007 - 9:00am
The News & Observer

Six States To Study Replacing Fuel Excise Taxes With Mileage Fees

An ambitious study to charge motorists by the mile, which hopes to address decreasing gas tax revenue for both states and the federal government, will begin in North Carolina's Research Triangle.
25 June 2007 - 2:00pm
The News & Observer

Friday Funny: Zoning Trumps Al Gore's 'Green' Plans

The former Vice President's application to install solar panels on his home was denied by the zoning board of this wealthy Nashville enclave.
23 March 2007 - 2:00pm
The News & Observer

Raleigh Tinkers With Its Parking Standards

Under advice from parking guru Donald Shoup, North Carolina's capital is rethinking its parking requirements.
6 March 2007 - 10:00am
The News & Observer

Power Blue City Welcomes Green Condos

Designed by architect William McDonough, a pair of towers recently approved for downtown Chapel Hill will be the first mixed-use development to meet LEED Gold standards in North Carolina.
28 February 2007 - 6:00am
The News & Observer

Can Google Change One Small Town's Fortunes?

State and local officials are offering $100 million dollars in tax breaks to the Internet company should it locate a new facility in Lenoir, North Carolina. Yet some wonder if the generosity will pay off for the town.
17 January 2007 - 11:00am
The News & Observer

Downtown Raleigh Debates Relaxing Parking Requirements

The city council is considering letting developers decide for themselves how many parking spaces to build, though many worry the change could harm downtown.
10 January 2007 - 2:00pm
The News & Observer

A Day In The Life Of A Downtown Ambassador

In downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, a new group of citizens are giving their city's image a boost by providing a variety of services, from picking up litter to redirecting lost visitors.
8 November 2006 - 7:00am
The News & Observer

Law Bans Barbed Wire Around Public Housing

North Carolina passes a law banning electric or barbed-wire fences around public housing complexes.
26 August 2004 - 1:00pm
The News & Observer

Paying the Price for Gas

Commuters in North Carolina's greater Triangle area do not have any choice but to drive amidst skyrocketing gas prices. Local urban planning experts blame consumer attitudes and the region's suburban character.
28 June 2004 - 2:00pm
The News & Observer

Study: Road Construction Does Not Create Sprawl

Contradicting smart growth advocates, a study concludes that road construction does not lead to more sprawl.
2 October 2003 - 10:00am
The News & Observer

Elevated HOV Lanes To Cost $129 Million Per Mile

A study commissioned by NCDOT finds that HOV lanes for the research Triangle region are far more expensive than anticipated.
17 September 2003 - 10:00am
The News & Observer

Preserving North Carolina's Coastline

A 2-part story looks at efforts to preserve North Carolina's coast which are undermined by actions of the state legislature.
9 July 2003 - 11:00am
The News & Observer

Computer Game Helps Teach Kids About Planning

A contest inspired by 'SimCity' gives middle-schoolers a taste of the complexities of city planning -- and the fun of making a perfect place
10 February 2003 - 12:00pm
The News & Observer

Did Sprawl Aid The Sniper?

On an online forum, New Urbanism enthusiasts discussed if urban sprawl aided the Washington-area sniper. Is the allegation just suburbia-bashing?
13 November 2002 - 8:00am
The News & Observer

Raleigh Requires Developer-Citizen Talks Before Rezoning

Raleigh is reviewing the first batch of reports for conditional-use rezonings in which the developer must report on meetings with neighbors.
23 August 2002 - 1:00pm
The News & Observer

North Carolina's Massive Historic Renovation

Durham officials approve a $43.2 million subsidy for one of the nation's largest historic renovation projects, aimed at revitalizing downtown Durham.
7 August 2002 - 12:00pm
The News & Observer
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