Commission Advances the Raleigh's Floor-Area Change, 6–1, After a First Vote Fell Short

The Raleigh's three-hotel oceanfront site at 1751–1775 Collins Ave. can move toward a bigger redevelopment. The change raises its floor-area ratio from 2.0 to 2.5, about 66,000 more square feet by staff's count. It needed six votes and fell short on the first try. Later in the day, supporters, including a Collins Park neighborhood association and a Lincoln Road business group, asked the Commission to reconsider, and it passed 6–1. The final motion added a $1.2 million infrastructure proffer, a 2031 sunset and a 215-foot height cap, including mechanical equipment.

Supporters said the long-empty buildings have been a blight on the area. Some callers said the developer should pay far more for the extra space. Second reading is Nov. 18.

The state's Live Local Act took up the last stretch of the nine-hour day. Each passed without objection on a voice vote:

• C7 AN: a 30-day review of sewer and stormwater capacity in Sunset Harbour, including for the 1920 Alton Road application (the chair announced 7–0)
• C7 AT: a report on hurricane evacuation and emergency services (the chair announced 7–0)
• C7 AQ: a neighborhood capacity study
• C7 AP: support for the mayor's outreach to other Florida mayors on changing or repealing the law
• R7 AK: a wider outside-counsel review that now includes the state's Safe Structures and Resiliency Act

The Commission also backed a special meeting on the law. In a separate item (R7 AY), approved by voice vote, it asked the city attorney to get an outside legal opinion. The question is whether the 519-foot height the city set by ordinance in 2018 near the south end of South Beach can serve as a height benchmark for Live Local projects within a mile. The City Attorney's Office said its current reading is that it can. It cautioned that a different opinion could lead to litigation, and said the city can't pause applications above 300 feet in the meantime. Most public speakers on development urged the city to resist Live Local towers.

The long-vacant Barclay Plaza at 1940 Park Ave. moved a step closer to a second life. 1940 Barclay Partners LLC, chosen through a city bid, would build a 105-unit residential building, including affordable units for seniors, on the 0.70-acre city-owned site. A companion ground lease runs up to 99 years, with $2 million due on possession. No one signed up to speak. Final votes are Nov. 18.

The service alley behind Lincoln Road, between Meridian Avenue and Meridian Court, could become a plaza. The owner of the neighboring Lincoln Road properties will rebuild it with pavers, landscaping and kiosks, and run concessions there for 20 years with renewals. The concessionaire pays the roughly $3 million cost. Residents and business owners spoke in support. One caller asked the Commission to weigh ongoing Lincoln Road construction first.

The Savoy wasn't on the agenda, but it came up again and again in public comment. Neighbors, including residents of the Royal Atlantic, spoke against a proposed Live Local tower at the site. They cited the area's low scale, traffic and evacuation. Preservation advocates raised concerns that a state law on unsafe structures could allow the historic building to be demolished. The city said the application was filed in April and returned by planners on July 2 with extensive comments. The developer has not resubmitted, and the city said it is following the project closely. The developer did not speak, and no hearing is scheduled.

Certain existing buildings in the Wolfsonian Arts District on Washington Avenue may now add more than one rooftop story, up to the height limit. Museums and galleries there no longer need parking, though loading rules stay. The change supports the museum's planned expansion, which has $10 million from the 2022 cultural bond and still needs land-use board approval. The Planning Board recommended it 7–0, and no one spoke at the hearing.

The city's zoning rulebook got its periodic update on second reading. The changes:

• Clarify definitions
• Set fees for commission warrants, certificates of use and landscape reviews
• Clarify hearing procedures
• Send appeals of historic and demolition approvals to a special magistrate

Staff confirmed the pause on exterior-paint review is a separate item and not part of this one.

Three rules for construction sites moved forward, each 7–0:

• Private lots may serve as temporary construction staging and parking. This passed on first reading. The sponsor tied it to the West Avenue area, and colleagues noted it applies citywide.
• New fence, screening and sign standards for vacant and construction lots passed on second reading. The sponsor cited a torn fence on a vacant Lincoln Road site.
• The pause on exterior-color review was extended on second reading. The sponsor said owners had been sent back to land-use boards just to repaint.