I have no clue what this is in reference to but that piqued my interest. The only Capital Blvd project I’m aware of is the Wake Forest/540 one and that shouldn’t come anywhere close to Automotive
I’m watching the planning commission meeting this morning about the rezoning of the Bryan-Lee Funeral Home parcels across from the Mordecai Historic Park on Wake Forest Rd. Those in opposition are bringing out the greatest hits in opposition to going from OX3 to OX4 for the site. Those narratives include character, shadows (laughable), historic preservation, transitions, and diverting development to other sites that are available.
In general, the neighbors along Mordecai Dr. want the parcel that faces them kept at 3 stories while only rezoning to 4 floors on the Wake Forest side.
I really had to 
at the comment about shadows. Similar to the recently rezoned parcels on West St. at Peace, this is a rezoning request that’s to the east of the houses along Mordecai Dr. Yes, there will be very early AM shadows as the Sun rises for a very short period of time, but those residents will not be living in a shadow despite that concern, and their gardening won’t be affected.
The Developer has met with residents on many occasions, and even those in opposition conceded that those meetings have taken place, and that they like this development team. The developer has added conditions to their rezoning request, and based on the meetings with the neighbors those include excluding vinyl siding from their project. The narrative from the developer included that some voices they’ve heard from want them to pursue going higher and adding more units, but that they are only requesting 4 floors as a compromise among the property seller, the neighbors, and their ability to have a viable project.
The commission seems to align to neighbors’ concern and asking the developer to consider adding a condition to limiting the height along Mordecai to 3 floors, and they are also concerned about parking for the Mordecai Historic Park. The commission then deferred the item to the Jan. 27th meeting.
If the developer capitulates to the neighbors across the street, it’s not difficult to imagine the Mordecai facing frontage being developed as a row of 3 floor luxury townhouses with rooftop terraces, and each costing well over a million.
That all said, I will add a comment about what 4 stories actually means. The parcel that houses the 615 Peace Condominium was rezoned from 3 to 4, yet the building is really built to 5 stories. The penthouse units each have “loft” areas that are recessed from the facades of the building, but in aggregate they actually create a 5th floor to the building.
Lastly, regarding the historic argument from the opposition, the houses directly across the street were built in 1951 (as stated by one of the neighbors). Make of that what you will.
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Didn’t realize a redevelopment for that building was in the works. Nice townhomes would be great there.
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I watched the meeting - I am almost always in opposition of these NIMBY/LR folks - but these neighbors are about as reasonable as it gets (aside from the lady taking the shadow issue right out of the Z12-25 book). I think the compromise they propose of 4 floors on the Wake Forest Rd lot and 3 on that back lot is super reasonable and I am sure workable for the developer.
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The part about parking for Mordecai Park: isn’t most of that along Mimosa Street? Is that being impacted?
The reality is that 3 floors of a mixed use building can actually be as tall as the stacked 2 story townhouses on Person St just down the road from them. Interestingly, the context is the same with single family homes across the street. That said, the houses on Person are generally grander, so there’s that. If I were them, I would want to work with the developer on a very specific solution, not just worry about the number of floors.
If I were the developer, and I was worried that the project wouldn’t pencil out at 3 floors on one parcel and 4 on the other, I’d ask for 5 on the other. I wonder how the residents would react to that? Maybe the developer could convince the city that an extra floor on Wake Forest could stretch the intimate neighborhood retail experience northward? IMO, that would improve the entire district while not pushing that neighborhood retail into the actual neighborhood, and it would give some dining and social resources for those visiting the historic park. win/win
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Yes. The two parcels that they are redeveloping eliminate all of that parking off Mimosa.
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That’s the development plan, unfortunately at the land/build cost, condo’s don’t make sense.
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There was a lot of construction equipment on the site today. This will be an exciting project to watch be built over the next 1-2 years. I believe that this is the same developer that is trying to rezone the Bryan-Lee Funeral Home parcels.
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If that’s the plan, I am curious why they don’t just commit to that and make the tension with the neighbors go away?
I’ve been more than patient. This is further proof it’s time to move to a better city with ambition. Life is too short.
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I’m not exactly sure why they are asking for OX-4. I believe they want the highest appraised value as they are likely selling the land after rezoning to the builders and OX-4 gives optionality.
NIMBYism is everywhere. Also, the council has the ultimate say and they’ve been a less NIMBY than the commission.
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But if you move, does that mean you won’t comment on this forum anymore?
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Correct, it is the same developer (Carpenter). I just looked on their website and found a rendering I don’t believe has been shared before. These will be a great addition to the neighborhood! Nevermind that the person in the rendering is biking in the wrong direction on Wake Forest Rd 
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these look pretty good, a nice mix of crisp modern detailing and classic proportions and fenestration… although the narrower ones on the right get a little smushed/busy
I also appreciate how they’re articulated like actual rowhouses – each unit is offset from the other and at slightly different elevations to follow the grade. Makes such a huge difference compared to the ones on New Bern that just look like one condo building on top of a plinth (of course those are also at a much lower price point I’m sure).
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I appreciate your positivity. However, these look like public housing projects. What happened to real architecture with class? We should reflect as a society for a moment. If rich firms are going to come through steal and gentrify these areas they could at least do it with class…
At least the old school shotgun houses in these areas had character. Now they’re all torn down. All I see is Lego boxes for rich suckers.
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What happened to you moving to a real city and leaving this forum?
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Your mom said I should stay. So…
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