With residents pushing for new rules to prevent tear-downs, a measure to temporarily restrict construction of new homes goes before the city council.
"A sweeping proposal, crafted at the City Council's request, would limit construction on most of the city's residential land.
The proposal for temporary restrictions, written by city staff, would require larger side and backyards and would reduce a building's allowed height. It would affect many who want to tack on a garage or build a home in a new neighborhood.
Mayor Charles Meeker and council members Russ Stephenson and Thomas Crowder have been pushing for measures to stop new homes from dwarfing older ones next door in established neighborhoods. They want the city to approve temporary measures to last until city planners return next year with permanent regulations.
Dozens of homeowners, builders and developers have e-mailed City Council members in opposition to the proposal. A hearing before the City Council and the Planning Commission is scheduled tonight. Then the commission will review it and make a recommendation to the council."
"Council member Philip Isley condemned the proposal as "the most far-sweeping policy decision that we've ever looked at on the City Council." He said it would "have the greatest negative impact on every resident in Raleigh that owns real property."
Even Meeker says the proposal being discussed tonight goes too far. Still, Meeker said, the concept is worth discussing.
The trend of tearing down older homes and replacing them with much bigger, taller homes is driving the proposal. Critics say it's ruining the character of the city's established areas."
FULL STORY: Rule would limit home expansions
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.