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Neighbors urge council to deny rezoning at 6309 Litchford Road, citing trees, stormwater and privacy
Summary
Dozens of residents urged the Raleigh City Council to deny rezoning case Z4325 for 6309 Litchford Road, saying the proposal would strain wells and septic systems, increase runoff and remove mature oak trees that define neighborhood character.
Dozens of neighbors told the Raleigh City Council they want rezoning case Z4325 for 6309 Litchford Road denied, arguing the proposal would overwhelm local infrastructure, harm mature trees and invade residents’ privacy.
Leon Reich, a 23‑year Ravenhill Drive resident, said the development’s scale and location would worsen yard flooding, creek erosion and septic and well impacts for adjacent homes. “The efforts by the developer to offer changes only after it appears he won't maybe be successful is an insult to us and really in the process,” Reich said.
Seth Wells, who owns a property next to the site, said the project would place dozens of new homes directly beside existing yards and asked council members to visit Johnsdale Road before voting. He described narrow streets with no curbs or sidewalks and said additional traffic would raise safety concerns for his 7‑year‑old child.
Eva Verlinden cited groundwater and septic worries, saying mature trees on the site slow runoff and protect wells. She added that connecting to city water and sewer could be prohibitively expensive for some residents, citing local estimates of up to about $50,000.
Other commenters emphasized the ecological and cultural value of mature oaks. “Oaks are a keystone species,” Sheila Reed said, urging the council to require a tree‑conservation plan. Vicky Wright invoked the city’s comprehensive‑plan language calling for careful evaluation of map amendments that increase permitted density.
Residents repeatedly asked the council to consider scale and neighborhood character rather than just zoning numbers. Larissa Green told the council that even the lower existing entitlements are out of scale with the neighborhood and that asking one lot to absorb dense townhome development would “impose a severe invasion of privacy.”
The meeting record shows the council previously referred the item back to the Planning Commission after a published‑notice error, giving residents two additional opportunities to comment before any final decision.
No vote or formal council direction was recorded during the public‑comment period; the matter remains under the council’s regular zoning review process.
