Planning Commission

Meetings


  • 5:30 p.m.
  • 2nd Tuesday of Each Month
  • City Hall
    101 City Hall Plaza
    City Council Chambers, 1st Floor
    Durham, NC 27701

Agendas & Minutes


Agendas and registration links are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes


Planning Commission Meeting Schedule

  • November 15, 2022 (rescheduled from November 8th)
  • November 17, 2022**
  • December 13, 2022
  • January 10, 2023
  • February 28, 2023 (rescheduled from February 14th)
  • March 14, 2023
  • March 28, 2023*
  • April 11, 2023
  • May 9, 2023
  • May 23, 2023*
  • June 13, 2023
  • July 11, 2023
  • August 8, 2023
  • September 12, 2023
  • October 10, 2023
  • November 14, 2023
  • December 12, 2023

  * Special session outside of regular schedule
** Retreat to discuss Comprehensive Plan (no public hearings)


Public Participation

Click here to live stream the Planning Commission Meeting or to access previous meetings

Planning Commission meetings are held in person in the City Council Chambers, 1st Floor, 101 City Hall Plaza, and virtually via Zoom, unless otherwise noted on the City of Durham website. Virtual participation is encouraged. To participate using the Zoom virtual meeting platform, see the agenda for the Planning Commission session. The Zoom link is at the top of the agenda. If possible, please register by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the Planning Commission meeting or by calling 1-301-715-8592 at least 15 minutes before the meeting start time and identify yourself to ensure that you get a chance to speak at the appropriate time. Access will be audio only and the chat and Q&A functions will not be available in the virtual meeting. Please refer to the following web page for ways to participate: How to Participate in a Virtual Public Hearing  | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov).

RULES OF DECORUM FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

In support of and respect for an open, fair and informed decision-making process, staff and the Planning Commission recognize that:

  • Civil, respectful and courteous discourse and behavior are conducive to the democratic and harmonious airing of concerns and decision making; and
  • Uncivil discourse and/or discourteous and inappropriate behavior have a negative impact on the character and productivity of the decision-making process.
  • In an effort to preserve the intent of open government and maintain a positive environment for citizen input and Planning Commission decision-making, the following Rules of Decorum have been established.
  • Compliance with these rules is expected and appreciated. The Rules of Decorum will be included in the agenda and will be referenced at the beginning of each Planning Commission meeting by the presiding officer. A written list of the Rules of Decorum is printed and mounted upon the walls of the Council Chambers.
  • All community members may participate in the public process.
  • The Chair serves as the presiding officer of the Planning Commission, the Vice-Chair serves in the Chair’s absence.
  • Citizens may speak only to the matter for which they signed up and, in the case of public hearings, those matters which have been advertised and placed on the Planning Commission meeting agenda.
  • Citizens are encouraged to prepare remarks in advance for submission to the public record. Prepared remarks should be submitted to the Planning Department prior to the start of the meeting or at the end of their comments. Additional material may be submitted to supplement remarks.
  • Speakers will conduct themselves in a civil and respectful manner at all times.
  • Speakers will address the presiding officer.
  • Each speaker is allocated 3 minutes to speak. This time allotment may be reduced by the presiding officer.
  • A speaker may not share or relinquish any remaining time they have not used to another speaker.
  • Speakers are only allowed to speak one time during the Public Comment period per item
  • Questions to Planning Commissioners or city staff will be facilitated by the presiding officer.
  • Speakers will state their name and address.
  • Speakers will make an effort to speak clearly into the microphone provided.
  • Speakers will make an effort to speak succinctly.
  • Speakers will refrain from the use of obscene language, “fighting words” likely to incite violence from the individual(s) to whom the words are addressed, or other language which is disruptive to the orderly and fair progress of discussion at the meeting.
  • Speakers will refrain from making comments of a personal nature regarding others.
  • Name-calling and/or obscenity is forbidden.
  • Shouting, yelling or screaming is forbidden.
  • Public hearing attendees (audience) will refrain from commenting, shouting, booing, clapping, stomping feet or other inappropriate and/or disruptive behavior. 
  • Public hearing attendees (audience) should refrain from private conversation during meetings.
  • Public hearing attendees (audience) should come and go as necessary from meeting space in the least disruptive manner as possible.
  • No campaign placards, banners, or signs will be permitted in the City Council Chambers. Other signage is permitted except signs which violate the Rules of Decorum or that block the view of other attendees.
  • Exhibits, displays, and visual aids used in connection with presentations to the Planning Commission are permitted. Videos are not permitted.
  • Once a public hearing is closed, a speaker may only speak if the Chair or presiding officer calls on the speaker.
  • It is the intent of Planning Commission to maintain order and enforce Rules of Decorum for its meetings. Disregard of these rules will be met with the following consequences:
    1. The presiding officer will identify out loud the out-of-compliance behavior and request for the behavior to stop.
    2. The presiding officer, Planning staff, or designee will read out loud the relevant “rule of decorum.”
    3. If the behavior continues, the microphone provided for the speaker will be switched off.
    4. If the behavior continues, the offending individual or party will be escorted out of City Hall by the police officer on duty for the meeting.

All other municipal or state laws and enforcements will apply. 

RULES OF DECORUM FOR APPLICANTS

The applicant may make a Presentation in support of the project. Applicants may reserve time for rebuttal or to answer questions from the original time allotment.

The same rules as above apply to applicants. 


Members


The Commission is comprised of 14 members appointed by the City Council or the Board of County Commissioners.

Planning Commission Roster

  

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Durham Planning Commission are:

  • Propose, review, and make recommendations on City- or County-wide plans.
  • Review and make recommendations on planning policies, comprehensive plan amendments, zoning map changes, proposed changes to development ordinances, and the Planning Department work program.

Planning Commission Rules of Procedure

Email the Planning Commission

Planning Commission Meeting Archive