Hey folks, As Phil mentioned, at the July meeting we agreed to compile a list of concerns related to the latest draft of the Comp Plan to be sent to City Council for consideration as they begin to review the Plan. That said, we need to send the comments soon--does anyone have any additional comments? Please send them out to the group by this coming Thursday if possible. Please see the comments to date compiled below. Most of the concerns expressed so far have focused on transitions, both broadly between land use categories and between uses on adjacent parcels. Ana Duncan Pardo Chair, Hillsborough CAC/RCAC 919.818.5933 TRANSITIONS BETWEEN LAND USE CATEGORIES The Future Land Use Map shows many areas across the city where the designated land uses for neighboring areas differ significantly. The most extreme example of this is the edge of the Central Business District, especially where it borders single-family residential neighborhoods. Other, lesser examples of swift changes in character and intensity between adjacent areas can be found throughout the city. Several changes have been made to the Comp Plan policy document, and a new map has been created to address the most significant transition areas. These revisions are laudable, however, more concrete language is needed regarding how the transition policies will actually be implemented. Will it be done parcel by parcel through the regular rezoning process, as part of the updated zoning code (the most comprehensive option), or through some other means? PARCEL-TO-PARCEL TRANSITIONS: INSTITUTIONAL IMPACTS As Raleigh has grown, churches, schools and civic centers are morphing from relatively low impact neighborhood facilities to relatively high impact destination facilities. As a consequence, the quality of life in neighborhoods is either threatened or eroding as residents experience the adverse effects from more noise, intrusive lighting and additional traffic and parking congestion. Because most of these institutions were considered neighborhood facilities in the past, they are typically zoned residential. However, the increases in scale and activity make the residential zoning classification obsolete. A change of use or more robust regulations are now needed for these properties to mitigate the adverse impacts on adjacent properties.