RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) -- The tension in the chamber was palpable Tuesday night as the Raleigh City Council voted 6 to 2 to approve a controversial mixed-use tower in downtown Raleigh near Glenwood South.

They approved rezoning 2.6 acres to make way for West at Peace, a 24 to 27-story mixed-use tower near Smoky Hollow. Previously, the area was zoned for 12 stories.

“It’s an area where you want density,” said Jason Barron, the attorney representing the developer, the Raleigh Development Company. “It’s planned for transit, it’s across from a grocery store, and it’s next to a park. This is where we want people long term.”

The council chambers were packed wall to wall before the meeting began. One half of the audience wore red to oppose the project, while the other half donned green in suppor

See Full Page