Raleigh’s Design Review Commission decided Thursday not to vote on plans for a proposed 15-story tower in North Hills near Lassiter Mill Road and Interstate 440.
Thursday’s meeting lasted roughly four hours as commissioners considered whether to allow the proposed plans to move forward. According to city documents, Kane Realty requested that the city waive certain design requirements for the 15-story mixed-use building, called North Hills Tower II.
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Commissioners said they wanted more information from Kane Realty before making a decision, specifically citing the need for a shade study.
North Hills resident Dr. Sherine Ibrahim hired legal counsel over the proposal, saying the tower would affect the view from her front door and cast additional shade on the area.
“I chose my home because it had a nice view of North Hills. I could see the sky,” Ibrahim said during the meeting. “I didn’t sign up for this. I thought this was going to be my retirement home.”
The commission also discussed how much of the building would be transparent, particularly at street level. City ordinance requires a certain percentage of a building’s facade to include glass or windows to meet transparency requirements.
The discussion centered on a loading dock planned for the side of the building closest to Lassiter Mill Road.
Representatives with Kane Realty said the loading dock was designed based on feedback from other developments in the area and would be better for pedestrian safety and traffic flow. Designers also cited the need to keep retail space close to existing shops near The Circle at North Hills Street.
“Lassiter Mill feels like an opportunity to provide interesting, warm, welcoming, transparent space, and it does not seem to me that the burden of proof for why it is not possible to provide a bit of transparency has been met,” Commissioner Kate Charland said.
Kane Realty representatives said they appreciated the feedback and agreed to conduct a shade study before the matter returns to the commission.
Commissioners also discussed the possibility of holding a special meeting to continue reviewing the proposal.
Lary Helfant, who chairs the Midtown Citizens Advisory Council, said he and others wished the commission had taken a vote rather than extending the process.
“Bottom line is that it doesn’t meet the requirements of the UDO [Unified Development Ordinance],” Helfant said. “The loading dock on Lassiter Mill, on a public street, is not to the benefit of the community. We wish that the commission would’ve just denied the request for relief from the UDO requirements.”
Representatives with Kane Realty said they were not authorized to comment on the outcome of the meeting.