Inside a packed council chambers Tuesday night, the Raleigh City Council voted 6-2 to approve a rezoning request for a downtown mixed-use development at Peace and West streets near Smoky Hollow.
The room was split evenly between opponents and supporters of the proposal, with those against it wearing red and those backing it wearing green. Both groups held up signs during the discussion, with public comment extended from eight to 12 minutes to try to accommodate all speakers.
“With more of us here, we will see crime reduced from more eyes in the streets. We will see our streets come alive with activity and less parking lots,” said Will Choi, a Raleigh architect who spoke in support of the project…