Raleigh City Council - At-Large
Zainab Baloch
The city of Raleigh commissioned a survey in 2016 which showed that transportation issues remain our residents’ top concern. Do you support the $206.7MM streets and sidewalk bond package which includes a 1.29-cent property tax increase?
Yes
Do you support a major league soccer stadium downtown?
No
Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of businesses?
Yes
What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and far term?
As an elected official, I plan to implement more grocery businesses in southeast Raleigh. Not only will this bring a healthy business competition to Raleigh, which will, in turn, decrease prices for the community, but it will also provide more food options for Southeast Raleigh, as it has been named a food desert according to the US Department of Agriculture. This will decrease prices, increase competition, and provide more jobs in one of the lowest income districts of the city.
What would you like to see updated in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance related to land use, regulations and/or density that ensures our market remains competitive and attractive for business and residents?
The new UDO put in place a few years ago revamped some concerns that residents had. One aspect that could be improved is the prohibition of food trucks in NX zoning districts. Food trucks are an important part of the city’s small-business community. I believe by allowing limited permits to food trucks in this district would continue to let small businesses grow.
How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
My top priority would be equitable development. This includes focusing on affordable housing, public transportation, and income mobility. We are an attractive city, and developers are able to thrive when they choose Raleigh for new projects. The city can work with developers on projects that benefit the entire community and plan ahead to ensure we are able to afford to live in the city we call home.When everyone has access to necessary resources and the opportunity to prosper, our economy will continue to truly flourish and rise to greater heights.
Identify two specific areas in the city budget where you might reduce spending and two specific areas where you might increase spending.
I would look into reducing the amount of money spent on cemeteries which had a 36.7% increase from FY17 TO FY18. The city could, also, reduce spending for the general fund to pay for some the increases in spending. I would increase spending for Housing & Neighborhoods and increasing city worker's pay. We need to ensure that the people who serve the city are able to afford to live where they work.
What is an uncomfortable truth about Raleigh that voters must confront?
Gentrification is an uncomfortable truth about Raleigh that is not getting enough attention. Resources are being put towards expanding the city, but should instead be allocated towards preserving Raleigh. Southeast Raleigh in particular is not receiving the support that it needs, and residents are being pushed out of the city due to rising housing costs. We need to invest in our community before we expand it.
The city of Raleigh commissioned a survey in 2016 which showed that transportation issues remain our residents’ top concern. Do you support the $206.7MM streets and sidewalk bond package which includes a 1.29-cent property tax increase?
Yes
Do you support a major league soccer stadium downtown?
No
Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of businesses?
Yes
What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and far term?
As an elected official, I plan to implement more grocery businesses in southeast Raleigh. Not only will this bring a healthy business competition to Raleigh, which will, in turn, decrease prices for the community, but it will also provide more food options for Southeast Raleigh, as it has been named a food desert according to the US Department of Agriculture. This will decrease prices, increase competition, and provide more jobs in one of the lowest income districts of the city.
What would you like to see updated in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance related to land use, regulations and/or density that ensures our market remains competitive and attractive for business and residents?
The new UDO put in place a few years ago revamped some concerns that residents had. One aspect that could be improved is the prohibition of food trucks in NX zoning districts. Food trucks are an important part of the city’s small-business community. I believe by allowing limited permits to food trucks in this district would continue to let small businesses grow.
How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
My top priority would be equitable development. This includes focusing on affordable housing, public transportation, and income mobility. We are an attractive city, and developers are able to thrive when they choose Raleigh for new projects. The city can work with developers on projects that benefit the entire community and plan ahead to ensure we are able to afford to live in the city we call home.When everyone has access to necessary resources and the opportunity to prosper, our economy will continue to truly flourish and rise to greater heights.
Identify two specific areas in the city budget where you might reduce spending and two specific areas where you might increase spending.
I would look into reducing the amount of money spent on cemeteries which had a 36.7% increase from FY17 TO FY18. The city could, also, reduce spending for the general fund to pay for some the increases in spending. I would increase spending for Housing & Neighborhoods and increasing city worker's pay. We need to ensure that the people who serve the city are able to afford to live where they work.
What is an uncomfortable truth about Raleigh that voters must confront?
Gentrification is an uncomfortable truth about Raleigh that is not getting enough attention. Resources are being put towards expanding the city, but should instead be allocated towards preserving Raleigh. Southeast Raleigh in particular is not receiving the support that it needs, and residents are being pushed out of the city due to rising housing costs. We need to invest in our community before we expand it.
