Council adopts consistency statement and approves Martin Street zoning amendment after applicant’s revised conditions

The Raleigh City Council on June 2 voted to adopt the recommended consistency statement dated 06/02/2026 and approve zoning amendment ZO‑126, a rezoning affecting parcels on the south side of Martin Street (DX‑20 downtown mixed-use district).

Planning staff summarized revisions to the applicant’s conditions, highlighting new language intended to retain upper‑story fenestration, exterior masonry and rough openings on the prominent Martin Street facade. Colette Kinane of planning and development, who reviewed the changes with the historic-preservation perspective, said the revisions addressed many concerns but did not preserve masonry openings along the alleyway and Commerce Place — an outcome the Raleigh Historic Development Commission had hoped to include.

Jamie Schwadler, representing the applicant and with Parker Poe (31 Fayetteville Street), said the conditions were voluntarily proffered and reflected a compromise between preserving prominent historic facades and allowing modernization on secondary elevations. "We've struck the balance that we feel is appropriate here," Schwadler said.

A council member moved to adopt the proposed consistency statement dated 06/02/2026 and approve the zoning amendment as described in the agenda materials; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

Provenance: The rezoning presentation, applicant remarks and council motion appear in the transcript between SEG 631 and SEG 761.