North Hills Gets Initial Go-Ahead For Another Major Expansion

RALEIGH, N.C. — The city Planning Commission on Tuesday approved the rezoning request for a proposed $700 million mixed-use development to be built across the street from North Hills in North Raleigh.

Developer John Kane wants to demolish several buildings sitting on 45 acres along Six Forks Road and build North Hills East, which would consist of 1,800 residential units, 1.3 million square feet of office space, 850 hotel rooms, more than 500,000 square feet of retail space and a 300-unit retirement community called The Cardinal at North Hills.

The current proposal would also make use of green space and would be linked to the upscale North Hills by a pedestrian bridge.

Kane told the commission that the project has excellent support from local residents. He said he hopes that Tuesday's 9-1 vote from the planning commission will prompt the Raleigh City Council to approve the project. That final vote could take place at the Council's next meeting on Sept. 19.

Another issue at hand is whether the city of Raleigh will spend $75 million to help finance a 5,000-space parking deck for the project. Even if the Council votes against financing the parking garage, however, construction of the development would still take place.

Kane has said that having the garage would enable a more "urban" development in which more land would be set aside for parks and a pedestrian-friendly environment.