The November meeting of the East Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) was held back on November 19th at Lions Park Community Center on Dennis Avenue. Leading the meeting were Deborah Ford (Chairperson), Kimberly Izuogo (Co-Vice Chairperson), and Jake Levitas (Co-Vice Chairperson). About 19 residents from the East Raleigh community were in attendance.
This was the last East CAC meeting to be held at Lions Park for a while, because the Community Center will soon be undergoing renovations (more details on that below). While renovations are underway, East CAC meetings will be held at Hill Street Community Center, located at 2307 Hill St.
As Secretary for the East CAC, it’s my job to record and prepare the minutes for each meeting; You can view the a copy of the official minutes below or on the City of Raleigh website. The next East CAC meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2019.
East Raleigh Crime Report
| Crime | July 30-Sept. 23 | Sept. 24-Nov. 18 | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assault | 15 | 15 | 0% |
| Burglary/Commercial | 3 | 2 | -33% |
| Burglary/Residential | 14 | 15 | 7% |
| Larceny | 40 | 29 | -28% |
| Larceny From Motor Vehicle | 20 | 20 | 0% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 10 | 8 | -20% |
| Robbery | 8 | 5 | -38% |
| Total | 110 | 94 | -15% |
Source: Raleigh Police Department
East CAC Meeting: November 2018 Minutes
Welcome and Introductions
- Meeting started at 7:05pm, and Chairperson Deborah Ford asked for approval of the minutes from the September meeting.
Approval of September Minutes
- The minutes from the September 2018 meeting were approved without revision.
Housing and Neighborhoods Report; Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Report; Raleigh Police Department Report; Planning Department Report
- District C City Council Member Corey Branch gave updates on a number of items, including parks bonds to renovate parks, the New Bern Ave. Pedestrian Improvement Project, and bus service improvements.
- The New Bern Ave. Pedestrian Improvement Project consists of streetscape improvements on both sides of New Bern Avenue, from Tarboro Road to Sunnybrook Road, and will include a sidewalk/multi-use path along both sides of the roadway in a greenway style alignment, from Raleigh Blvd to Sunnybrook Road.
- Effective January 1, 2019, the City of Raleigh is extending bus service by adding routes 18, 19, and 17.
- The only City Council meeting in the month of December will be held on December 4, 2018.
- Resident Questions:
- Resident asked whether there were any updates regarding an issue in which residents might be charged for assessments related to sidewalk improvements along New Bern Ave.
- Council Member Branch clarified that if it is a city-initiated project, then residents will not be charged.
- Resident asked about adding additional lighting along New Bern Ave.
- Council Member Branch indicated the city is waiting on implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
- Resident asked whether there were any updates regarding an issue in which residents might be charged for assessments related to sidewalk improvements along New Bern Ave.
- Officer Mario Lopez reported on crime statistics for the East CAC area during the past several months (see the table above).
- Since August and September, most categories of crime in the area are down. However, with the holiday season coming up, crime will likely rise, and residents should take preventative measures.
- Officer Lopez shared that he is being promoted and that this will be his last meeting as Community Police Officer for the East CAC.
- Officer’s Lopez’s replacement is as of yet unknown.
- The Assistant Director of Lions Park provided updates on upcoming holiday events, including a number of events at Mordecai Historic Park. He also gave updates on renovations to the Lions Park Community Center.
- Lions Park Community Center will be closed for renovations beginning December 1, 2018.
- Plans for the Lions Park Community Center include renovations to the lobby, renovations to restrooms/locker rooms, a new gym floor, installation of air conditioning, new drinking fountains, and improvements for greater handicapped accessibility.
- Lions Park Community Center is expected to reopen late spring or early summer of 2019.
- Parks staff is looking to add new programs at Lions Park Community Center when it reopens. Staff are interested in programs that focus on every age group.
- Residents are encouraged to email parks staff with any specific ideas or requests for programs they would like to see added at Lions Park.
- Until renovations to Lions Park are complete, East CAC meetings will be held at the HILL STREET COMMUNITY CENTER, located at 2307 Hill St, Raleigh, NC 27604.
Troy Manns CSAG-I Recovery Communities of NC
- Troy Manns gave a short presentation about addiction services provided by Recovery Communities of North Carolina, a non-profit organization located at 5245 Capital Blvd.
- Recovery Communities offers training, confidential calls, and other addiction-related services at no cost to Raleigh residents 18 years or older.
- See the RCNC website for more information or call on the phone at (919) 231-0248.
Steve Gurganus AICP Land Planner – Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP Rezoning Application for 3219 corner of Poole Rd./Sunnybrook Rd.
- Steve Gurganus, a Land Planner with Womble Bond Dickinson LLP, gave a presentation about a rezoning application for 3219 Poole Rd. He was joined by Don Belk, City of Raleigh case manager for this rezoning application.
- The plot of land in question is 1.6 acres and currently includes a single-family house built in 1926. The house has potential for inclusion on the National Historic Registry and is currently being considered for relocation.
- Womble Bond Dickinson are applying to rezone this plot of land from Residential-6 (R-6) to Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NX).
- Use of the land would ultimately be up to the eventual buyer, but, if the rezoning application is approved, current plans are to build one or two commercial buildings on the property.
- Womble Bond Dickinson have already consulted with neighbors of this property and the South East CAC. With input from these groups, Womble Bond Dickinson have put together a list of restrictions for this property that would ban certain uses even with NX zoning. For example, the property will not be able to house bars or nightclubs or additional single-family dwellings.
- Resident noted that bus route 19 will run through this intersection, thus making it a potential major transit hub in southeast Raleigh.
- The next step in the rezoning application process is to take a vote among members of the East CAC.
- Chairperson Ford invited representatives from Womble Bond Dickinson to come back and give another presentation during the next East CAC meeting in January 2019. East CAC residents will then vote on whether to advance the rezoning application.
- Steve Gurganus can be reached by calling (919) 755-2141.
New Business/Updates
- Chairperson Ford provided a number of updates about current events and projects in the community.
- St. Augustine’s University and Fellowship Raleigh Church are sponsoring a 5K race on December 15.
- For information, email HopeThroughEd5k@gmail.com or call (919)679-2958 James East, Race Dir.
- The Milburnie Traffic Calming Project is scheduled to begin on November 26, 2018. During this project, Milburnie Road will be closed to through traffic between King Charles Road and Chatham Lane. The road closure is scheduled to last six months.
- Duke Properties have purchased the Longview Methodist Church on Milburnie Road, which is now mostly torn down. Potential plans include putting new homes on this property.
- During the January 2019 East CAC meeting, there will be a vote on the new Raleigh Citizen Advisory Council (RCAC) bylaws. The East CAC will then revise its own bylaws.
- St. Augustine’s University and Fellowship Raleigh Church are sponsoring a 5K race on December 15.
East CAC holiday party
- Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm for the annual East CAC holiday party.