Some Raleigh residents in a historic Glenwood neighborhood are opposing a new development proposal in the northern gateway to downtown.
Raleigh Development Co. owns the 2.6-acre lot at the northeast corner of the Peace and West streets intersection. The land is zoned for buildings up to 12 stories and it houses several different businesses.
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It shares 800 feet with city-owned land set to become Smoky Hollow Park and is located across the street from the 12-story high-rise that houses apartments and Publix.
A Raleigh Development Co. spokesman said, "Our goal is to create a lasting asset for Raleigh – one that adds value to the community and reflects the character of the area.
"The site is uniquely positioned at the northern gateway of downtown, alongside the future 14-acre Smoky Hollow Park. Our project will serve as a welcoming landmark while offering much-needed housing options and community amenities."
The developers are seeking a rezoning exception from city council to increase the building height from 12 to 30 stories. According to RDC’s website, the project is calling for multiple mixed-use high rise buildings to add more retail, office and residential options.
The developer said, "This proposed zoning aligns with city plans to increase housing supply, support walkability and promote smart growth downtown."
Residents in Glenwood-Brooklyn and the grassroots organization Raleigh Neighbors United have voiced concerns about the project. They believe it's too close to their neighborhood, claiming this sets a dangerous precedent in violating city comprehensive plan rules while putting additional strain on the infrastructure. They want other historic neighborhoods to know if it happens to them, they could be next.
“The proposed development is in an urban core area. It's in a walkable neighborhood. It's close to public transportation and additional proposed public transportation. It's near a grocery store,” said Larry Miller, a Glenwood South resident.
He supports the proposed project, stating the area was designed for this type of growth.
“So there are many factors that are in support of the development at this location. Glenwood South has had a lot of changes in the 11 years that I've been here, and most of them are positive," Miller said. "There's so much residential construction that has gone on here, and there are over 4,000 residents that live here in Glenwood and make this a really great community. We're looking forward to additional amenities, retail shops. We've got lots of restaurants and entertainment venues, but the thing that has made it really a community is the addition of the housing, apartments and condos that have been built here recently."Larry Miller, Glenwood South resident.
Those opposed with Raleigh Neighbors United said they are not against new development. A statement on its website reads, “We support density, but it must be planned, not driven by developer interests. Smart growth means affordable housing & transit-oriented development engaging existing neighborhoods—not unchecked high-rises.”
The organization is also seeking more affordable housing in all downtown projects.
“This is a very unique situation, because there is a boundary, a physical and legal boundary, between their neighborhood and the proposed development,” Miller said, acknowledging some of the concerns from other residents.
“There's a railroad track that goes through there that you can't cross. So there will be no interaction between the proposed development and this historic neighborhood,” he said.
Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell, during a February meeting to waive the waiting period, acknowledged the precedent this case could set for other historic neighborhoods that surround downtown.
“I know this was one of the more controversial cases from the last administration,” she said. “This is one of the most strategic pieces of land in the city.”
Over time since 2005, RDC acquired this long, narrow parcel of nine lots over 2.6 acres adjacent to the future Smoky Hollow Park. Initially zoned for four stories, in 2015 Raleigh City Council tripled height limits from 4 to 12 stories.
The public is invited to the developer-hosted neighborhood meeting Wednesday night from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the McKimmon Center on Gorman Street.