August 23, 2024
RE: Rezoning Z-72-22: 423 S Blount Street
Preservation Raleigh is deeply concerned about the August 20 City Council decision which removed a lot from the Prince Hall local historic district and approved a seven-story hotel. This decision undermines the principles of historic preservation, community planning, and the protection of Black history.
The proposed development, which is significantly taller than any existing structure in the neighborhood, will create a visual and contextual mismatch that will negatively impact the historic character of the district. The City Council’s decision to change the underlying zoning from DX-3-UG w/ HOD-G to DX-12-UG-CU is also a significant departure from the established regulations and guidelines for the area.
Additionally, the final decision was made without adequate public input or consideration of the potential impacts on the historic district and residents. The proposed project is radically inconsistent with the City Council-adopted Design Guidelines for Historic Districts and Landmarks, as well as the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
We believe that the City Council’s actions are inconsistent with the principles of responsible urban planning and the preservation of Raleigh’s cultural heritage. Furthermore, the City Council’s disregard for the Planning Commission and the Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC) votes is a significant setback for the preservation of Raleigh’s historic resources. Both Commissions had carefully considered the proposed development and voted against the rezoning in its current form.
Preservation Raleigh urges the City Council to reconsider the process by which this decision was reached. We believe that the rushed nature of the final negative votes by the council, the lack of public input on the revised conditions submitted August 16, and the disregard for the recommendations of the Planning Commission and RHDC set a dangerous precedent. Future council decisions regarding historic districts should prioritize transparency, community engagement, and the preservation of Raleigh’s historic, cultural, and architectural assets.
More information and history:
- https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/D8APPK658774/$file/20240820RezoningMemoSignedConditionsZ-72-22.pdf
- https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/D84LS357E38C/$file/20240820PLANDEVPublicHearingRezoningZ-72-22.pdf
- https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/D83QSA6AAB28/$file/20240820%20PLANDEVZ-72-22ConsistencyStatementApprove.pdf
- https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/D83QSC6AAB2D/$file/20240820PLANDEVZ-72-22ConsistencyStatementDeny.pdf
- https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/D84LK856E473/$file/20240820PLANDEV-HP-COA-0119-2023.pdf
History of the rezoning request – as set forth in the Planning & Development Memo to Council:
History of the rezoning request:
On September 5, 2023 City Council opened the public hearing and heard public
comment. The public hearing was continued to December 5, 2023, providing the
applicant time to pursue a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). The Raleigh Historic Development Commission took final action during the December 14, 2023 COA Committee meeting but a COA was not granted. At the February 6, 2024 meeting City Council heard from the applicant, who requested a continuation of the hearing until April 2, 2024.
On April 2 the public hearing was continued further to allow RHDC time to provide recommendation on the future of the Prince Hall Historic Overlay District (HOD) boundary. A recommendation on the HOD was requested for this rezoning request to help the Council make a more informed decision. On April 16, 2024 RHDC voted (10-1) to recommend that there be no changes to the boundaries of the Prince Hall HOD and that the Special Character Essay for the district be updated. On May 21, 2024 the public hearing was continued, and the item was referred to committee for further discussion alongside an item discussing the Prince Hall HOD.