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.
"There are real and tangible long-term negative impacts of this project for the city, neighborhoods, citizens and our planning framework," countered Roy Attride, who leads the grassroots group Raleigh Neighbors United.
Attride's neighborhood is dotted with yard signs opposing the project. He brought a model showing how the structure's height would affect other homes in the neighborhood.
"While we get we need housing, we need affordable housing; it's really the height of this project. The fact that it would be completely overwhelming to the neighborhood put us in shadow for half of the day, intense glare the other half of the day. And it's really not supported by any policies or plans," said Attride.
The location was originally zoned for 12 stories. Though the project's developer initially asked to build up to 30 stories, Tuesday's plans called for up to 27 stories.
"This affects my neighborhood. I live in a 130-year-old house. And if you're sitting on my veranda on the front porch, my morning sun is going to change because this building will be right there blocking my view," said Sue Ferrari, who opposed the rezoning.
Other concerns expressed included not enough affordable housing being included, the precedent it could set elsewhere in the city, and its placement near a historic district.
"We're not saying don't build. We're just saying respect and appreciate, and protect what we've got. Don't lose in order to add," said Connie Upchurch, who opposed the rezoning.
The proposal includes $1.2 million in funding toward affordable housing, an outdoor amenity area, and prohibiting surface parking between any building and the eastern boundary of the site.
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"There's a grocery store right across the street. It's right along a future transit corridor. Those are the areas it's most important to be increasing density," said Tyson McJunkin, who supported the project.
Supporters also pointed to economic benefits.
"I think it has a ton of benefits for downtown in terms of increasing foot traffic, making more businesses viable there, making downtown safer because you have more people on the street. I think there's actually a spillover effect for the whole city because you grow the tax base, and so the city ends up kind of having more revenue to fund services," said Jeff Durkin with Raleigh Forward.
"The project will bring more residents, retail customers, and investors to our area," said Larry Miller, President of the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative.
The rezoning will see an increase in potential retail space and a reduction in potential office space. In August, the city's planning commission approved a rezoning request.
The project has long generated attention and strong responses, with Council acknowledging the high level of engagement throughout this process.
Mayor Janet Cowell, District A Councilmember Mitchell Silver, District B Councilmember Megan Patton, District C Councilmember Corey Branch, and At-Large Councilmembers Stormie Denise Forte and Jonathan Lambert-Melton all voted in favor of the rezoning, while District D Councilmember Jane Harrison and District E Councilmember Christina Jones voted against it.