Raleigh's Planning Commission on Tuesday held off on deciding whether to advance a zoning change that could affect traffic and future development near Millbrook High School.
If approved, the rezoning could pave the way for nearly 50 townhomes on a four-acre plot near Litchford and Johnsdale Roads listed on Raleigh's Places Worthy of Preservation.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Several residents living on Johnsdale Road, which is located behind the site, wore red in opposition at Tuesday's meeting.
"It overloads an already strained corridor along this neighborhood," one resident said.
"This site is smaller than a high school track and football field," another said.
Opponents of the rezoning believe the infrastructure cannot safely support more housing. They say Johnsdale Road is narrow and not pedestrian-friendly for students. Neighbors posted online that the road needs major improvements before more houses are built.
"Traffic on Johnsdale is projected to increase 40 percent from this development," Johnsdale Road resident Philip Brown said. "We still don't have sidewalks, curb gutters, safe pedestrian access to Millbrook High School."
In an 8-1 vote earlier this year, Raleigh's Planning Commission recommended denial of a previous version of the rezoning request. City councilmembers sent the request back to the commission after developers made changes.
"We have prohibited vehicular access to Johnsdale Road to address some of those safety and quality of life concerns. We've also reduced the max number of homes from 54 to 47," said Land Use and Zoning Attorney Amy Crout, who represents developer Litchford Point, LLC. "Our goal with these new conditions is to fully protect Johnsdale Road from the impacts of this rezoning."
Crout asked for the vote to be delayed so developers can make more changes to the request and iron out details with city staff.
Among the main sticking points is access to the development, she told the commission. City staff want to require that developers request driveway permits onto Litchford Road from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, diverting traffic away from Johnsdale.
If the property only has access to Johnsdale Road, then the number of housing units would be capped at just over 30.
Despite the updates, commission members appeared concerned about infrastructure near the site.
"What we see in front of us is a substantial and concerning transportation issue," Commissioner Adam Walters said.
The request is expected to come up for a Planning Commission vote on August 11.