Raleigh council holds North Hills rezoning after heated public debate over proposed high-rises

Planning staff opened the hearing on rezoning Z3425, a request to rezone just over 11 acres across four noncontiguous parcels in the North Hills area, and described conditions offered by the applicant including a 3,000,000‑square‑foot cap, green stormwater infrastructure, LEED‑type green building certification, minimum open space, stepbacks on Rowan Street and a $400,000 contribution to the Raleigh Fire Department. Planning staff said the proposal is largely consistent with the 2030 comprehensive plan and the Midtown area plan but noted limited inconsistencies related to density and height transitions.

Jamie Schwedler, counsel for Cain Realty, told the council the applicant is not asking for more units or square footage than allowed today and that the rezoning simply lets the same entitlement be built in taller, thinner forms to produce more and better public open…