December 9, 2022

Announcements

Applicant-Sponsored Neighborhood Meetings

There are no scheduled applicant-sponsored neighborhood meetings at this current time.

Amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)

There are three pending text amendments to the UDO that are still in process and that have not yet been scheduled for Planning Commission or Governing Body review at this time. They are listed below:

Text Amendment Regarding Phased Development and Tree Preservation (TC2200004): This text amendment proposes revisions to the Tree Protection and Tree Coverage standards (Section 8.3), Project Boundary Buffer standards (Section 9.4), and Article 13, Additional Requirements for Subdivisions (new Sec. 13.9, Phased Development) within the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in order to:  

• Address ongoing concerns regarding soil erosion during the development of larger sites, 
• Incentivize better management and encourage more deliberate design in regards to grading and topography, and  
• Amend tree coverage and preservation standards to prioritize preservation of existing tree coverage instead of tree replacement, where possible.  

Link to the Joint City-County Agenda Item: https://www.durhamnc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/47408/TC2200004---Phased-Development-and-Tree-Preservation-PDF

Text Amendment of the Unified Development Ordinance Regarding Sedimentation and Erosion Control (TC2200005): This text amendment proposes revisions to the Sedimentation and Erosion Control standards (Section 12.10) and Enforcement and Penalties (Section 15.5) within the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in order to:  

• Address ongoing concerns regarding soil erosion during the development of larger sites, and 
• Increase design and implementation requirements in areas with Triassic soils. 
• Provide additional tools for enforcement. 

Link to the Joint City-County Agenda Item: https://www.durhamnc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/47409/TC2200005---Erosion-Control-PDF

Planning Commission-Initiated Text Amendment:

• Improving Access & Walkability Durham is working to create connected, walkable, and pedestrian-friendly communities through an update to our development regulations! Staff have been working to update the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), or the tool guiding what development looks like in Durham City and County to improve access and walkability.

To ensure new developments are better connected to the surrounding area and existing neighborhoods, language within the UDO has been changed to better include pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders who may not have access to a car. This change to the words within the UDO is called the "Improving Access and Walkability Text Amendment". 

We want to hear from you!

We are now looking for resident input on the draft update. To learn more about this work, current growth happening in Durham, and how to get involved, please visit: https://durham.mysocialpinpoint.com/growthmanagement/land-use-home/

If you are interested in potential amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance, or would like to comment on upcoming amendments, you can find more information at durham.mysocialpinpoint.com/growthmanagement/land-use-home/ .

Durham's New Comprehensive Plan Update

Durham is working on a new Comprehensive Plan, a long-range vision for our community! The Comprehensive Plan decides what can be built where in Durham. 

Read the newly released draft Actions for the Comprehensive Plan! 

In addition to the revised Policies, Place Type Map, and Place Type Guide, draft Actions for the Comprehensive Plan have been released. Actions are a menu of projects, initiatives, process improvements, and other types of actions that could be undertaken by local government to work towards the vision of the plan. The actions are organized under the same broad topics (ex. Housing, Transportation, Environment) as the policy recommendations.  

Find the newly released Actions, the revised Place Type Map, Place Type Guide and Policies here.

Each of these pieces is focused on working towards the vision in the adopted Community Goals and Objectives.

As a reminder, Staff is working to develop a full plan document and a final engagement phase will begin in January 2023. Stay tuned for the release of the full draft plan and opportunities to engagement before the plan is considered for adoption. The formal adoption process for the new Comprehensive Plan is anticipated to begin in late February.

For information on the project to date, we encourage you to check out the Process and Timeline page on our website. There, you can see how the project has progressed over the last three years, what residents said along the way, how that has shaped the plan, and what is coming next.

If you have feedback or questions, please feel free to contact
[email protected] and please sign up for our mailing list to ensure you receive future project updates!

Durham Boards and Commissions

Durham County Board of County Commissioners

Regular Session, Monday, December 12, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
In-Person and Virtual Session
Link to the Durham County Board of County Commissioners Agenda

The Board of County Commissioners will hold a meeting on December 12, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., Commissioners' Chambers, 2nd Floor, Durham County Administration I, 200 E. Main Street.

No cases will be presented by City-County Planning

Residents may attend in person, via Zoom, or watch live online and on DTN. Seating is limited inside the Chambers due to social distancing guidelines, and is on a first-come, first-serve basis, with priority given to County staff. A low-capacity overflow seating area is provided in the lobby on the second floor of the Administration Building. Individuals seated in the lobby can view the meeting on screens.
  
While social distancing will be established with seat arrangements, in-person attendees are reminded of the benefits of masking while in indoor spaces populated by others. Residents who wish to observe meetings are encouraged to continue using the virtual option and watch live on the County’s website.

All Board of County Commissioner meetings and other Durham County content are available for viewing on the Durham County YouTube Channel. Rebroadcasts of the meeting are available on the Durham Television Network on Spectrum Channel 8, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, Google Fiber Channel 8, and Frontier Communications Channel 70. On-demand video may be watched once it is uploaded to the County's website. 

For more information about the Board of County Commissioners’ meetings and agendas, visit the website. Citizens may also call the Clerk to the Board at 919-560-0025 or email to [email protected].

Durham Board of Adjustment

Tuesday, December 13, 2022, 8:30 a.m.
City Council Chambers, First Floor, 101 City Hall Plaza
Link to the Board of Adjustment Agenda

The Durham City-County Board of Adjustment will hold public hearings on December 13, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers, First Floor, 101 City Hall Plaza, to hear the following requests in quasi-judicial hearings:

• B2000018 – City: (Continued from 9/27/2022) Appeal of a Planning Director’s Interpretations regarding the Development Plan related to the Black Meadow Ridge (Westpoint) residential development. The property is located at 5001 and 5011 N. Roxboro Street and is within the Suburban Development Tier.
• B2100043 – City: (Continued from 9/27/2022) Appeal of a Planning Director’s Interpretations regarding Density related to the Black Meadow Ridge (Westpoint) residential development. The property is located at 5001 and 5011 N. Roxboro Street and is within the Suburban Development Tier.
• B2100044 – City: (Continued from 9/27/2022) Appeal of a Planning Director’s Interpretations regarding Uses related to the Black Meadow Ridge (Westpoint) residential development. The property is located at 5001 and 5011 N. Roxboro Street and is within the Suburban Development Tier.
• B2200015 – City: (Continued from 9/27/2022) Appeal of the Administrative Approval of the Westpoint site plan (Case # D1900225). The property is located at 4903, 5001, 5007, and 5011 N. Roxboro Street, 4306 Victory Boulevard, and 2801 Maple Ridge Road, is zoned Planned Development Residential 6.2 (PDR 6.2), Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20), and Residential Suburban-10 (RS-10), and is within the Suburban Development Tier.
• B2200023 – City: (Continued from 10/25/2022) A request for a Design Special Use Permit for the reduction of the pedestrian mall width and increase building height. The property is located at 508 Gordon Street, is zoned Downtown Design-Support 1 (DD-S1), and is within the Downtown Development Tier.
• B2200028 – City: (Continued from 9/27/2022) A request for a Minor Special Use Permit to permit additional lighting for an existing place of worship. The property is located at 3263 Rose of Sharon Road, is zoned Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20), and is within the Suburban Development Tier.
• B2200044 – City: A request for a Variance to the riparian buffer protection standards in order to construct a porch. The property is located at 1706 Ward Street, is zoned Residential Urban-5 (RU-5), and is within the Urban Development Tier.
• B2200045 – City: A request for a Reasonable Accommodation to permit the construction of an in-ground pool in a recorded tree preservation area. The property is located at 12 Hopewell Drive, is zoned Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20), and is within the Suburban Development Tier.
• B2200046 – City: A request for a Minor Special Use Permit for the development of a single-family or two-family residence on a legally established nonconforming lot of record. The property is located on Lot 9 at 2210 Edwin Avenue, is zoned Residential Urban-5 (RU-5), and is within the Urban Development Tier.
• B2200047 – City: A request for a Minor Special Use Permit for the development of a single-family or two-family residence on a legally established nonconforming lot of record. The property is located on Lot 10 at 2210 Edwin Avenue, is zoned Residential Urban-5 (RU-5), and is within the Urban Development Tier. 

Public Review: The agenda can be viewed on the BOA website https://durhamnc.gov/1372/Board-of-Adjustment-BOA. For further information, contact [email protected], or contact Leigha Larkins at 919-560-4137 ext. 28263. 

Public Participation: The Chair will recognize all persons wishing to speak and will allocate time to individual speakers based upon the number of persons to be heard. All persons wishing to speak will be required to swear or affirm their testimony. Substantial changes to the proposed action may be made following the public hearing. The Chair reserves the right to limit repetitive or hearsay testimony.

Durham City-County Planning Commission

Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 5:30 p.m.
In-Person and Virtual Session
Link to the Durham City-County Planning Commission Agenda

The Durham Planning Commission will hold in-person and virtual public hearings on December 13, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 1st Floor, 101 City Hall Plaza, to hear the following:

Zoning Map Changes:

• Courtyards at George King (Z2100039) is a request to change zoning from Residential Suburban–20 (RS-20) to Planned Development Residential 2.707 (PDR 2.707) located at 5524 George King Road.
• 901 and 903 Sherron Road (Z2200024) is a request to change zoning from Residential Rural (RR) and Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20) to Residential Suburban-10 (RS-10) located at 901 and 903 Sherron Road.
• American Village Townhomes (Z2200030) is a request to change zoning from Residential Suburban-10 (RS-10) to Residential Suburban Multifamily with Text Only Development Plan (RS-M(D)) and a proposed change of the Future Land Use Map designation from Low Density (4 DU/Acre or Less) to Low-Medium Density Residential (4-8 DU/Acre) located at 626 Morreene Road.
• 1907 South Miami Boulevard (Z2200034) is a request to change zoning from Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20) to Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20) with a Transitional Office Overlay addition located at 1907 South Miami Boulevard.

UDO Text Amendments:

• Simplifying Codes for Affordable Development (SCAD) (TC2200001) is a privately-initiated UDO text amendment centered around simplifying the ordinance to allow for more affordable development to be built in Durham.
• Development Plan Revisions (TC2200002) is an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to allow additional commitments under the textual development plan.

Public Participation
Click here, https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ou2kARtQSk-q-CphLepsZA (Webinar ID: 823 4380 6117), to register to speak during the Planning Commission meeting on an above-listed agenda item. 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.

Registration is not required to watch the meeting. Please refer to the following web page for ways to participate or watch: https://durhamnc.gov/4062/Participate-in-a-Virtual-Public-Hearing.

Contact Information
Substantial changes to the proposed action may be made following the public hearing for each case. For information about the cases, contact [email protected] or at 919-560-4137.

Durham City Council

Monday, December 19, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. 
In-Person and Virtual Session 
Link to the Durham City Council Agenda

The Durham City Council will hold in-person and virtual public hearings on December 19, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 1st Floor, 101 City Hall Plaza, to hear the following requests:

Annexations:

• Stella View (BDG2100003) is a request for a voluntary contiguous annexation of three parcels of land totaling 62.75 acres located at 1031, 1011, and 1001 Sherron Road.
• Geer and Junction (BDG2100013)is a request for a voluntary contiguous annexation of two parcels of land totaling 8.197 acres located at 2240 and 2300 East Geer Street.

Zoning Map Changes:

• Stella View (Z2100008) is a request to change the zoning from Residential Rural (RR) and Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20) to Planned Development Residential 4.484 (PDR 4.484) located at 1031, 1011, and 1001 Sherron Road.
• Geer and Junction (Z2100026) is a request to change the zoning from Residential Rural (RR) to Planned Development Residential 19.520 (PDR 19.520) and a proposed change of the Future Land Use Map designation from Office to Medium-High Density Residential located at 2240 and 2300 East Geer Street.
• 4150 Old Chapel Hill Road (Z2100046) is a request to change the zoning from Commercial Neighborhood (CN) and Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20) to Commercial General with a Text-Only Development Plan (CG(D)) located at 4150, 4148, 4142, and 4138 Old Chapel Hill Road.

Planning Presentation (Not a public hearing):

• Development Concerns and Mitigation Steps

Substantial changes to the proposed actions may be made following the public hearing for each case. For information about the cases, contact [email protected] or at 919-560-4137.
  
Public Participation: Regular business meetings will take place in the City Council chambers 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 Council session. The Zoom link is at the top of the agenda. Agendas are posted the Thursday prior to the public hearing. Registration to speak during the City Council Meeting on an agenda item must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. on the day of the City Council Meeting and access will be audio only. Please refer to the following web page for ways to participate: City Council Meetings & Work Sessions - Ways to Watch, Attend, Comment | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov).

Notice under the Language Access Plan
Persons requiring language assistance to effectively participate in this event may contact the City-County Planning Department at 919-560-4137 to request interpretation and/or translation services as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the event or deadline date.

Aviso bajo el Plan de Acceso al Idioma
Personas que requieran asistencia lingüística para participar efectivamente en este evento pueden comuníquense con el Departamento de Planificación de la Cuidad y el Condado al 919-560-4137. Para solicitar los servicios de interpretación y / o traducción tan pronto como sea posible pero no menos de 48 horas antes del evento o fecha límite.

Notice under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Persons with disabilities may receive an auxiliary aid or service to effectively participate in city government activities by contacting the ADA Coordinator, voice 919-560-4197, fax 919-560-4196, or [email protected], as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the event or deadline date.

Aviso bajo la Ley sobre Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA, siglas en Ingles)
Personas con discapacidades pueden recibir asistencia para participar efectivamente en actividades del gobierno de la ciudad al comuníquense con el Coordinador de ADA al 919-560-4197, fax 919-560-4196 o [email protected], tan pronto como sea posible pero no menos de 48 horas antes del evento o fecha límite.

How to Find More Information about Board and Commission Agendas:
The City's Agenda Center web page has the latest agenda materials and minutes for all City-County Boards and Commissions. See also the Public Hearings and Notices page on the City Clerk's web site.

• The Durham City Council agenda materials are available according to the City Clerk's schedule.
• The Durham County Board of County Commissioners agenda materials are available on the County Commissioners' web page.
• Text Amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance can be found on the Pending Text Amendment web page.
• Agenda materials are available by the Friday before the meeting for the following (linked to their Agenda Center web page):
  • Durham Planning Commission 
  • Board of Adjustment 
  • Historic Preservation Commission
  • Joint City-County Planning Committee