I thought their response (developer guy that didn’t want to talk into the mic) was interesting regarding the current zero lot line with the southeast corner (520 S. Harrington) and they thought it would be easier to just stay consistent with that. We (Fairweather) are requesting the step back at the very least on the southwest corner, where our property line meets this rezoning request lot line. If they don’t want to step back from the 520 lot line, that’s cool. 
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I don’t think that we can be automatically dismissive about issues like this. As the city grows, there needs to be more attention paid to how we develop our urban properties, and I certainly don’t think that we should brush off those who’ve committed in a big way to our urban fabric with their investment and their continuing property tax contributions that are more productive for the city than those from the vast areas of sprawl.
The city has failed to properly plan its core, and the early adopter developments didn’t have visibility to rezonings that might happen, or re-zonings that have followed in a fairly systematic way over the last few years. We have more deference for SF neighborhoods that are near(ish) to development while discounting those immediately adjacent.
At this point, there doesn’t seem to be anyone looking at how we effectively build pleasant, functional urban neighborhoods in the way that NYC did with its side by side buildings and large pleasant backyards that introduce trees and light into the backs of buildings. Instead, we are looking at our urban parcels piecemeal and then setting up scenarios with individual rezonings that can essentially just box in any building on all sides except the street that they face.
How 615 Boylan’s southern face addresses The Paramount’s north face should be a bare minimum sort of solution, and I can tell you that it’s only that way because The Paramount wasn’t built to the extent of its north property line while 615 Peace goes all the way up to it. I am grateful that the back of 615 Peace steps back from the property line as it rises. I’d invite everyone to visit the space between these two buildings to see what resulted. IMO, it’s really the bare minimum that should happen when these conditions exist, and it only happened because we paid attorneys to represent the building when developers at 615 Peace pursued a rezoning to go higher.
Why can’t the city create some sort of guidelines that will not put neighbors in adjacent buildings literally reaching out and touching their neighbors through their windows or from their terraces? Why can’t conditional uses afford adjacent neighbors a modicum of consideration? Why can’t we look at these issues with some compassion and nuance?
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I actually really like appropriate consideration being given for setbacks. Developers are important for constructing homes, but they’re working for maximum profitability. It’s incredibly easy for them to care more about than the concerns of the neighbors. So, it’s a good thing you got the lawyers involved. Many condos in the area weren’t build with the expectation that we would start building on top of each other.
I’m absolutely fine with setbacks being given for sunlight, privacy, stopping wind tunnels, and minimizing noise. I only really start to have an issue when people start talking about wanting to be compensated for the views that they’re losing. I don’t think that’s what’s happening for the Fairweather, but they’ll want those previous things considered.
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I agree that nobody owns a view, and notice that I didn’t mention views. 
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Can I just ask what you meant by “many condos in the area weren’t built with the expectation that we would start building on top of each other”? Thanks
Just an example. The Paramount, when built, likely didn’t have the expectation that the old house behind it would be turned into apartments. Based on what John said, the original plan had these two buildings a lot closer than what is pictured.
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I don’t think that anyone expected that house to NEVER change, but the zoning did limit the construction to 3 floors. It’s now 5 including the mezzanine of the top floor units. When the city rezoned it to 3 after The Paramount was completed, it allowed for the property to be built to the property line (which I think is how this is built). The key here is that the Paramount didn’t build to its property line, and I’m not sure if that was per code at the time or not. If so, it would have been reasonable to have expected that a future adjacent building would also have to not build to its property line and that there would be more separation between buildings. As it stands, what you are seeing in this photo is the closest our units are to their neighbor. That only exists for a small depth, after which the building steps back as it rises to 4 floor, and then again steps back at the 5th floor mezzanine. All in all, I think that it’s a reasonable solution given that the very worst situation would have been a blank wall on the property line across the entire side of the building. I truly invite folks from Fairweather to come look at how these two buildings relate to each other where they face each other as you continue to raise your voices about conditions you are willing to back as the developer of your adjacent property pursues rezoning.
FWIW, the developer of 615 had to remove an entire line of mature trees planted on our property so that they could build all the way to the property line. We are supposed to have those replaced by the developer, but I’m not holding my breath.
Also for the Fairweather owners, all of this is more than 12 feet, and the distance between most units in adjacent buildings is much more than 12 feet.
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That looks like a wonderful retirement community, we’re very happy for you.
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I would end myself if forced to live here in retirement.
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You’re nuts, I’d love a yard hahahaha
Yards are overrated. Parks are better. Just need enough space for a shed and small vegetable garden.
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LOL so basically my tiny one car detached garage that doesn’t fit a car, and my tiny back yard with a raised bed garden. I’m living the dream over here in West Raleigh and I didn’t even know it!
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Well, there is no shortage of oversized yards and 3 car garages in Cary or Chatham County if that’s what you want.
Maybe someday. When I retire, right before I die. Seems perfectly timed. LOL
#goals
And then there’s this topic of “The Fairweather and other condos on S. Harrington”…
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The West / Harrington rezoning next to the Fairweather is moving on to a public hearing on 9/5
https://community.dtraleigh.com/t/the-raleigh-wire-service/748/2247?u=oakcityyimby
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There looks to be some work being done on the ground floor interior of The Fairweather. Actual ground floor retail, or something else? Figured someone on here would know.
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Interior Design company. Not going to excite many people in this forum. They’ve had some significant challenges getting through the construction but if you’re seeing activity, that’s a good sign!
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Maybe it will be done before 615 Peace? lol 
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