Raleigh residents press council over proposed three‑story townhomes, warn of Midtown impacts

Residents of several Raleigh neighborhoods used the city council public‑comment period to press the council on looming development that they say threatens sunlight, privacy and the character of long‑established blocks.

An unnamed resident who said they live in Tryon Place told the council the development proposes "about 104 new three‑story townhomes" with two‑car parking, alleys and a new street, and that neighbors first received notice in October without details on height or setbacks. "We would lose that light in our homes and we would also lose our peace," the resident said, adding concerns about increased noise, traffic and potential construction damage to existing houses.

Octavia Rainey objected to a separate townhome project at State Street and Oakwood, criticizing the developer’s chosen marketing name "the view of Oakwood" as disrespectful and announcing plans for a press conference to call out the developer. "As a Black person, I hate that with a passion," Rainey said, describing an unpleasant phone exchange with the developer.

Longtime North Hills resident Pam Van Emden urged the council to honor the Midtown area plan — which she said involved more than 1,000 residents and about $250,000 in city investment — and warned that tall buildings placed adjacent to long‑established homes will "permanently change" privacy, sunlight and neighborhood feel. "When a plan is built with that much community input, it deserves to be respected," Van Emden said.

A North Hills resident, Roberta Cevi, asked the council to improve online instructions for public participation and to avoid scheduling meetings at developer convenience, saying unclear website directions and broken links make it harder for residents to engage with planning decisions.

The moderator offered to have staff follow up with the Tryon Place resident after the three‑minute comment period ended; the public‑comment session did not include a council vote or formal action on any project.

Next steps: council staff indicated they will follow up with individual speakers about outstanding questions; any formal planning actions or hearings would be scheduled separately through the city’s planning process.