East Community Action Coalition of Raleigh, NC (East CAC)
November 18, 2024
7:00-8:15 pm
Lions Park Community Center
Streaming on Facebook
Jean Mosher, Chair
Mark Turner, Vice Chair
Bryan Ryan, Secretary
Approximately 30 residents in attendance
Officer Eric Hinton, Raleigh Police Department, Northeast Division
Sergeant Mitch Talley, Raleigh Police Department, Northeast Division
Focus Areas
1. Public Safety
a) Officer Eric Hinton provided his regular report to the East CAC, addressed questions, and received concerns.
▪ Chair Mosher noted Officer Hinton’s contribution to the apprehension of the “Beltline Shooter” in connection with a series of shots fired at cars on I-40 between Monday, November 4 and Thursday, November 7.
▪ Police have received 5 calls in November related to excessive noise at Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard at 1930 Wake Forest Road. A citation was issued to the business on November 16.
b) Officer Hinton reminded residents of ways to assist public safety efforts.
▪ Call police—Residents should not hesitate to contact police when they see or hear anything out of the ordinary.
▪ Lock cars—He encouraged residents to establish a 9 pm routine for locking cars. He also urged residents to never leave keys or guns in cars.
▪ Lighting—Lights around homes serve as a deterrent to crime.
▪ Security cameras—Interested residents can join a security camera registry at connectraleigh.org
c) Attendees shared concerns about traffic, parking, racing, aggressive begging, and homeless camps.
2. Public Works
a) David Bender, engineer with Raleigh Parks, and Jay Shaw, engineer with Raleigh Engineering Services, provided a progress report on the Crabtree Creek Improvements at Raleigh Boulevard project.
▪ https://raleighnc.gov/projects/crabtree-creek-improvements-raleigh-boulevard
▪ Bender and Shaw detailed the issues—budget constraints, permitting, subcontractor performance, weather, stream bank instability—that have affected the completion timeline. Expected removal of detour is now Friday, January 31, 2025.
▪ They encouraged residents to contact the city (919-996-3285) if they observe flooding or other blockages that make greenways unusable.
b) Residents asked about Pigeon House Branch connector and Smoky Hollow Park. Rain barrels and rain gardens were discussed. See https://raleighnc.gov/stormwater/services/apply-raleigh-rainwater-rewards
3. Zoning and Development
a) Developer Matt Tomasulo provided information to East CAC attendees about his rezoning request for property on Clarendon Crescent near Enloe High School and the Alamo Drafthouse.
▪ See https://engage.raleighnc.gov/m0610
▪ Tomasulo gave a general overview of the goals of the project, the rezoning process, and likely changes to the property and its sidewalks. He envisions 34 townhouses, approximately 1,800 square feet in size, 2 stories high street side and 3 stories in the back, to sell at $400,000 to $500,000.
▪ Residents asked questions and expressed concerns about the project goals, the rezoning process, existing zoning and transportation overlays, as well as parking, traffic, stormwater, and neighborhood character impacts.
b) Attendees noted other development issues.
▪ There will be a press conference Wednesday, November 20, to raise awareness of concerns related to development discussions related to St. Augustine’s University.
▪ Otami restaurant at the corner of Glasscock and Brookside has gone out of business.
CAC Organization
4. CAC Reboot—The CAC Reboot is still in process. RCAC leaders are soliciting input through a survey and will use it to inform proposals and negotiations with the new mayor and city council.
5. East CAC Meetings
a) The East CAC will hold a year-end social event on December 16 at 6:30 pm at the Tap Yard, 1610 Automotive Way. All are welcome.
b) The East CAC’s January 13, 2025, meeting will focus on Raleigh’s Next Comprehensive Plan.
Next Meeting—January 13, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Lions Park Community Center.