RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Raleigh City Council unanimously approved a new plan to pick up residents' bagged and binned yard leaves beginning next fall.

The $1.75 million a year leaf collection program was approved Tuesday afternoon following decades of complaints from residents about leaves covering sidewalks and roads, blocking storm drains, and creating flooding.

"Those are all things that I think we see not happening at the level of service that we'd like to," District D City Council Member Jane Harrison said. "That is a huge gain."

The program is intended to open up a wider lane for the city to better maintain and repair streets, sidewalks, and more. Raleigh Transportation Assistant Director Steve Halsey told the City Council beginning the program in 2026 will give residents a full

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