Raleigh staff seek council support for Greenway master plan changes to spur trail‑oriented development

City of Raleigh parks staff updated the City Council on proposed land‑use changes tied to the Greenway Master Plan and asked for direction to move proposed UDO amendments to public hearing.

Adam Foreman of Parks and Recreation summarized accomplishments from the 02/2022 comprehensive plan update and outlined proposed UDO changes that would standardize easement widths and add incentives for developer‑built trails. Foreman said the package includes proposed easement widths of 150 feet for the Neuse River, 100 feet for Crabtree and Walnut creeks, 75 feet for priority trails and 50 feet for other corridors, with a possible reduction to 30 feet if a developer builds a trail to City of Raleigh standards. “I want to present them to you now just in case there were any follow‑up questions, before the vote,” Foreman said.

The proposals would also let developer‑built trails count toward open‑space incentives at a multiplier (2.5 times the easement width), and add internal pedestrian‑path and frontage requirements intended to better integrate new development with adjacent greenways. Foreman cited an Oak City Trails analysis showing high‑density zoning near key corridors and said staff found more than 300 lots with at least one acre of buildable land…