Raleigh City Council approves 30-story tower on Peace Street
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A rendering of Raleigh Development Co.'s proposed tower next to the future Smoky Hollow Park. Photo: Courtesy of Raleigh Development Co.
The Raleigh City Council voted Tuesday evening to give the green light to Raleigh Development Co.'s plans for building up to a 30-story mixed-use apartment tower at the intersection of Peace and West streets.
Why it matters: The rezoning application from Raleigh Development was one of the more controversial development plans coming before council this year, with signs opposing the plans popping up throughout the city.
Zoom in: Many residents of the nearby Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood, in particular, have opposed the plans due to its adjacency to many single-family homes on the edge of downtown and concerns over increased traffic and shade.
- The existing zoning conditions allow for 12 stories, and many argued the property sat in a transition zone rather than the downtown core.
- Proponents, however, argued it was part of the downtown core, has access to public transit and addresses a need for more housing units in the city to match a growing population.
Driving the news: The city council voted 6-2 to approve the development, which has the potential to add around 900 units — if fully built out at the northeast corner of Peace Street and West Street.
- Council members Christina Jones and Jane Harrison voted against the rezoning.
State of play: A rezoning of this property was already rejected in 2023, but the developer returned with concessions, including staggering heights so that the building was taller along Peace Street but shorter on the sides facing the Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood.
- It also included $1.2 million to the city's affordable housing fund and a promise to include pedestrian connectivity to the planned Smoky Hollow Park being built next to it.
- The Raleigh Planning Commission gave the plan an unanimous approval in August.
- After initially thinking the vote would be tabled to a later meeting, Mayor Janet Cowell decided to push for one after several council members indicated how they would vote on the building.
What they're saying: "As I look at this [property], it's a really intensive site," Cowell said noting its nearness to both a railroad, Capital Boulevard and a future park. She noted before voting yes that it reminded her of many of the developments built along Atlanta's Belt Line trail.
- "To me, [this property] is part of downtown," she added, "and when I think about what is going to make the city great, we need a really resilient downtown. We need more residences."
Council member Christine Jones said she appreciated how Raleigh Development Co. responded to feedback from the community and increased its contribution to the affordable housing fund, but it did not sway her decision to vote no for the rezoning.
- "While I believe progress has been made, I also hear and respect those who still have concerns about the comprehensive plan, infrastructure and transportation," she said. "I do believe their voices should be represented in this vote."
What's next: It's unclear when the building will ultimately break ground, but after years of record-setting apartment construction, the building of new units has slowed down this year.
- However, there are signs that some developers are beginning to move forward with projects that could deliver later this decade, with the prediction that many of the recently completed apartment buildings will fill up by then.
- That includes the Highline Glenwood tower, which would be the tallest residential tower in downtown Raleigh at 37 stories once it opens in 2028.