triangle.com | Home

We have lived on Claremont for a number of years - before the 'tear down' era began and I must say that I am very happy with the results for a number of reasons -- Whether you 'like' (which is really none of your business) the new homes or not, I can honestly say that most of them are a great improvement over the ones that were there prior -- most have needed serious repair and attention - some have been in dilapidated condition, and there are still some that could probably be condemned. I welcome a large home with a nice manicured lawn, over the crumbling old house with the lawn that is mowed once a month - if we're lucky. On that same note, I can't believe that someone actually posted those comments about the home with the turret. I’ll take the turret over a crumbling roof any day. But you know what, like the guy with the turret, it’s the guy with the crumbling roof’s prerogative – and within reason, who am I to tell him that he doesn't have a right to be there or point fingers and publicly insult his choice? Our new neighbors are lovely - as other have noted on this post, there are new, young families moving in breathing new life to our little neck of the woods - their arrival is well-worth the year or so of construction hassles. This is all great for the overall quality of life here on the street and fabulous for our property values. I appreciate knowing that when I'm ready, I can either sell, expand (if possible), or tear my home down and start over. I would love to have the opportunity to stay here and we will eventually outgrow the old structure we're in. Also, keep in mind that it's not just builders/investors that are doing this in the area, but our neighbors are too -- I can think of five families off the top of my head on this street that have done just that. They made the decision to re-invest in their current investment and stay in this lovely area – and there are others of us that would like to have that option in the future. I am also disappointed to note that I have never been approached by a member of SCALE regarding the zoning petition -- how can you say that you represent the wishes of your neighbors when one of them (me) has never personally heard from you? I have read articles where SCALE has noted that they have 'canvassed' the neighborhood -- even holding a neighborhood meeting to discuss. Well I'm your neighbor and I'm affected by your ideas - and you didn't invite me. I am adamantly against the rezoning efforts and SCALE’s tactics. I sincerely hope that the City of Raleigh will not succumb to the wishes of one small special interest group. Many of the residents in this neighborhood have only recently learned of SCALE’s existence. I sincerely believe that the group will be surprised to find how many of your neighbors are against its ideas when they learn what this rezoning really means.

We have lived on Claremont for a number of years - before the 'tear down' era began and I must say that I am very happy with the results for a number of reasons -- Whether you 'like' (which is really none of your business) the new homes or not, I can honestly say that most of them are a great improvement over the ones that were there prior -- most of the old homes needed serious repair and attention - some have been in dilapidated conditions,  and there are still some that could probably be condemned.  I welcome a large home with a nice manicured lawn, over the crumbling old house with the lawn that is mowed once a month - if we're lucky.  On that same note, I can't believe that someone actually posted those comments about the home with the turret.  I’ll take the turret over a crumbling roof any day.   But you know what, like the guy with the turret, it’s the guy with the crumbling roof’s prerogative – and within reason, who am I to tell him that he doesn't have a right to be there or point fingers and publicly insult his choice?  Our new neighbors are lovely - as others have noted on this post, there are new, young families moving in and breathing new life into our little neck of the woods - their arrival is well-worth the year or so of construction hassles. This is all great for the overall quality of life here on the street and fabulous for our property values. I appreciate knowing that when I'm ready, I can either sell, expand (if possible), or tear my home down and start over. I would love to have the opportunity to stay here and we will eventually outgrow the old structure we're in. Also, keep in mind that it's not just builders/investors that are doing this in the area, but our neighbors are too -- I can think of five families off the top of my head on this street that have done just that. That's nearly half of the re-builds on the street. They made the decision to re-invest in their current investment and stay in this lovely area – and there are others of us that would like to have that option in the future.

I am also disappointed to note that I have never been approached by a member of SCALE regarding the zoning petition -- how can you say that you represent the wishes of your neighbors when one of them (me) has never personally heard from you?  I have read articles where SCALE has noted that they have 'canvassed' the neighborhood -- even holding a neighborhood meeting to discuss.  Well I'm your neighbor and I'm affected by your ideas - and you didn't invite me.  Doesn't my voice count too?

I am adamantly against the rezoning efforts and SCALE’s tactics.  I sincerely hope that the City of Raleigh will not succumb to the wishes of one small special interest group and jeopordize the property rights of hundreds of its citizens. Many of the residents in this neighborhood have only recently learned of SCALE’s existence and have received inadequate information regarding its purpose and goals.  I sincerely believe that the group will be surprised to find how many of its neighbors are against its ideas when they learn what this rezoning really means.

Really sorry to hear you never got any information. At least two distributions were made on both streets (Claremont and Overbrook). Several of your neighbors were at the meeting. We have wondered if someone took the packets that we left, you are not the first report this from your street. 

Why would anyone want to steal a packet about a meeting? Please stop spinning this as it isn't just one or two neighbors who didn't get flyers.  Next:

How did SCALE champion themselves as the only protectors/representatives of Fallon Park?  Of course city wide marketing is their goal.

Another good question, why doesn't the Fallon Park Neighborhood association distribute it's email list?  Instead they send everything out BCC, why? 

In fact some broadcast emails are received by some neighbors and not others.  Why would the FPNA have different lists?

Could it be that you selectively choose neighbors to rally your cause?

Well said Claremont neighbor and God Bless you.   

It is interesting that your answer would involve neighbors stealing from each other.  The notion that you all "canvassed the area" and someone comes behind you and digs around in someone elses mailbox is downright crazy and speaks to your view of the world.

Why didn't you comment on all the excellent points made?

"If new homes are out of step with the nature of the existing neighborhoods" 

WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO BE JUDGE AND JURY?  WHY DO CITY NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE UNIQUE CHARACTER?  BECAUSE THEY WERE DEVELOPED IN A TIME BEFORE ZONING AND THE HOMEOWNER COULD BUILD WHAT HE OR SHE LIKED.  LUCKILY YOU STILL CAN, UNLESS YOU WERE ONE OF THE FEW AFFECTED BY NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVISTS WHO LIKE TO IMPOSE REGULATIONS THAT DO NOT AFFECT THEM.

SARAH LOWDER, WHO IS QUOTED IN THE ARTICLE, PERSONAL HOUSE IS NOT CONFORMING TO CURRENT ZONING REGULATIONS.  IMAGINE THAT.  HOWEVER A NEW HOME BEING BUILT WOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES HER HOUSE DOES NOT FIT.  SO WHICH IS NOT CONFORMING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEW OR OLD?

HOUSES ALL OVER THE ANDERSON HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD DON’T MEET CURRENT SETBACKS.  THE HOUSES ARE BUILT TO CLOSE TOGETHER IN MOST CASES AND DON’T REPRESENT R4 OR R6 ZONING MEASURES.  WHEN THE CITY DOWNZONED LOCHMORE AND KENMORE IT MADE 65% OF THE HOMES NON CONFORMING TO ACREAGE ALONE NOT TO MENTION SETBACKS. 

WHITE OAK ROAD HAS SOME OF THE LARGEST HOUSES "ITB" RIGHT BESIDE SINGLE STORY RANCHES AND NO ONE EVER COMPLAINED. 

THE PROBLEM IS YOUR ARGUMENT HAS NO MERIT; YOU REALLY WANT A HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION THAT YOU CAN RULE AS YOUR OWN.  THAT ISN’T POSSIBLE SO YOU ARE USING CITY CONTACTS AND CAC’S TO RALLY LIKE MINDED PEOPLE TO REPRESENT YOURSELF AS THE ONLY VOICE IN THE AREA.  IT IS NOT JUST MEAN SPIRITED IT IS A DISGUSTING POLITICAL TACTIC TO FORCE YOUR VIEWS ON OTHERS.

 OUR COUNTRY HAS A WAR GOING ON, SERIOUS CRIME AND POVERTY ISSUES AND ALL YOU CAN FOCUS ON IS NOT HAVING CONTROL OVER WHAT SOMEONE BUILDS 2 BLOCKS AWAY FROM YOU.  YOUR PRIORITIES ARE SICK.

IF YOU WANT A HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION GO MOVE TO ONE!

I CAN'T BELIEVE THE N&O RAN THIS ON THE FRONT PAGE.  I GUESS IT PROVES ONCE AGAIN IT IS ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW. 

35 YEAR RESIDENT.