There is a special forum tonight, September 7 from 6-8 pm, at the Pullen Art Center about Raleigh’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). We apologize for the short notice, but we wanted to get the word out in case you could attend. You should bring your questions about the proposed UDO, neighborhood infill, contextual development, and how the new zoning categories, such as mixed-use categories, will work when applied to Raleigh’s zoning.
If you haven’t been following the UDO, I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s technical–and I think one thing preventing everyday citizens from getting involved is how it would impact them. So where’s the visual aid? Where’s the map that shows you how your property–or property you’re interested in–will be impacted? What will the new zoning category be? What about the new rules that go with it?
If these questions are concerning, they should be. A lot of folks do not understand the impacts. And there are a lot of details to cover. Neighborhood leaders are striking up conversations about what neighborhood mixed-use could mean to their neighborhoods. Are we alright with a height limit of 3 stories for neighborhood mixed-use? What situations would increase that height to 12 stories?
There’s some good background for you in an article by Bob Geary, “Rezoning Raleigh: A forum on Sept. 7, 6-8 pm, on the proposed new zoning code.” In it, Bob says “It [the UDO] could be the best thing that’s happened in city government in 25 years. Or the worst disappointment.”
I haven’t had time to review the UDO draft myself, but it’s on the to-do list. Unfortunately, I can’t attend tonight. But I’m interested in the outcome. We hope to bring you a recap from someone that attends. (Or maybe you’d like to help out?)