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Raleigh City Council Meeting Notes – January 20 2026

North Hills Rezoning Approved, Major Bonds Authorized, Non-Smoking Ordinance Updated

Published: January 21, 2026

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

January 20, 2026 Raleigh City Council Meeting Recap

The Raleigh City Council held a full day of meetings on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, covering major rezonings, long-term planning initiatives, public safety investments, annexations, and updates to the City’s non-smoking ordinance.

👉 Full agenda and attachments are available via the City of Raleigh’s official meeting portal.

Key Meeting Highlights

✅ North Hills Rezoning Approved (6–2 Vote)

City Council approved the North Hills rezoning (Z-34-25) at the interchange of I-440 and Six Forks Road by a 6–2 vote, with Mayor Pro Tem Harrison and Councilor Jones voting against the request.

Traffic concerns related to North Hills will not be discussed at the January 29 Transportation & Transit Committee meeting. Instead, North Hills traffic issues are scheduled for the February Transportation & Transit Committee meeting.

🗣 Public Comment Themes

Public comments focused heavily on:

City budget priorities Greenways and trail access Public transit and transportation Parks and recreation funding Stormwater management Mental health services

Two of the eleven registered speakers did not appear.

🌳 Dix Park Conservancy Agreement Updates

Council unanimously approved updates to the Memorandum of Agreement with the Dix Park Conservancy, continuing the partnership governing one of Raleigh’s most significant public spaces.

🚭 Raleigh Updates Non-Smoking Ordinance

Council unanimously adopted a new ordinance aligning Raleigh with the model non-smoking ordinance prepared by the NC Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch (TPC).

Key points:

Replaces existing non-smoking provisions with the TPC model Maintains prohibitions on vending machine tobacco sales Includes a 90-day delayed effective date to allow education and implementation

Work Session: “Big Ideas” from the Fall 2025 Retreat

Council received a follow-up presentation on three long-term “Big Ideas” identified during the Fall 2025 City Council Retreat:

Regional Rail Affordable Housing Public-Private Partnerships Sponge Cities & Stormwater Innovation

These ideas were evaluated using a Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability framework, with examples drawn from peer cities. The goal is to move from visionary concepts toward practical, measurable solutions that improve quality of life while remaining fiscally responsible.

Afternoon Session Summary

Consent Agenda

All consent agenda items were unanimously approved except Item C-1A, which was pulled for discussion.

After a presentation from RPD Chief Rico Boyce, Council approved the acquisition of the StarChase system, a vehicle pursuit safety technology.

💡 Funding is fully covered by a grant.

Planning Commission Actions

Rezoning & Land Use

Z-29-25 (Trailwood Drive / Avent Ferry Road) ➝ 45-day extension granted for additional conditions Z-33-25 (Gresham Lake Road, east of I-540) ➝ Public hearing scheduled for February 3, 2026 Z-11-25 (2230 S. New Hope Road) ➝ Withdrawn by applicant

Boards & Commissions

Council unanimously approved updated bylaws for:

Stormwater Management Advisory Commission Environmental Advisory Board Raleigh Historic Development Commission

City Manager Recommendations Approved

👮 Police Technology Investment

Council unanimously approved a $16.1 million contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc., funding:

Taser 10 devices (10-year service) Axon Records Fusus real-time crime center platform

Matters Scheduled for Public Hearing – Approved

Council unanimously approved multiple financial and administrative items, including:

Limited Obligation Bond, Series 2026B ➝ Up to $120 million for City Hall Phase II & public safety facilities Limited Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2026 Demolition of unfit building at 617 S. Blount Street Public nuisance abatement property liens Multiple annexation petitions across Districts A, B, and C

Committee Reports

No activity reported from:

Economic Development & Innovation Committee Housing & Environment Committee Community Safety & Quality of Life Committee

Transportation & Transit Committee

Meeting scheduled for January 29, 2026 (3–5 PM) Topic: citizen-initiated street closures North Hills discussion moved to February

Mayor & Council Announcements

📍 District Meetings

Councilor Silver (District A)

📅 Jan 29 | 6–7 PM | Gordon Center Councilor Jones (District E)

📅 Feb 11 | 6–8 PM | La Cucina

📚 Feb 14 | 9:30–11:30 AM | New World Café (Book Club)

📣 Mayor Cowell requested a review of City policies related to protests.

Why This Meeting Matters

The January 20, 2026 Raleigh City Council meeting addressed growth, governance, public safety, health policy, and long-range planning, with decisions that will directly impact development patterns, transportation planning, and quality of life across the city.

Residents are encouraged to stay engaged by attending committee meetings, district sessions, and upcoming public hearings.

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