Land Use

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) filed an amicus brief on Monday September 21, 2009, in favor of towns having the authority to enact stream buffer regulations that are more stringent than state or federal regulations.  WakeUP Wake County signed on to the brief along with the Haw Riverkeeper Foundation, Catawba Riverkeeper Association, North Carolina Conservation Network, and others.  While the case relates to a specific development in Cary, the Court's decision will have broad implications for municipal stream buffer regulations in North Carolina.

The Raleigh City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday September 8, 2009 to adopt the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, a long-term planning document that will guide development in Raleigh over the next 20 years.  The Plan will go into effect on November 1, 2009.

Urge your State Senator and Senate Finance Committee Chairs and Members to support the Transit Bill aka the "Congestion Relief/Intermodal Transport Fund" Senate Bill 151 / House Bill 148. Otherwise, enjoy the traffic: Help Dan, Save Traffic

On February 24, 2009, a group of 300 political, business, environmental, and civic leaders came together to create a vision for growth in the Triangle Region for the next 25 years.  The challenge: where will the additional 1.2 million people and thousands of new jobs go?  Working in small groups with string, legos, and a map, workshop participants discussed issues, balanced needs, and developed scenarios that would ensure our region grows well and remains competitive in the coming decades.  Participants created 3-D models of where housing and jobs should be located, laid out plans for transit systems and new roads, and indicated where to protect open space and water resources.  The major themes that emerged from the visioning effort were 1) Providing a regional transit system, 2) Creating mixed-use development, 3) Protecting drinking water and open space, and 4) Reinvesting in our urban areas. Reality Check sees regional cooperation as critical for building consensus around growth issues and ensuring a long-range vision that accounts for the diverse values and interests of our community.

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), a group of local mayors and county commissioners, are currently reviewing long-range plans for transportation in Wake County and beyond. On Wednesday, CAMPO met to review plans for transportation and transit through 2035. CAMPO released a new transit map, that proposes light rail all the way from Apex to Cary, Raleigh and Wake Forest -- and commuter rail to Garner and Clayton. Bus service will be greatly expanded too. Of course, several things must happen BEFORE this transit system will be implemented. CAMPO must approve this plan (possibly Feb. 21), legislation must pass the NC General Assembly, and the voters must pass a referendum for funding. Go to CAMPO to comment on the 2035 Long-Range Transportation Plan.