January 20, 2023

Announcements

Seeking Community Member Participation

The Planning Department is seeking 4-5 community members to help test a new Development Services Website before it launches. The participants will spend two hours in person testing the website through a series of prompts, and providing feedback on their experience. The feedback will be used to improve the website, and inform future website updates.

The Development Services Website provides information on everything from how to get a home occupation permit, to how to annex your property into the City limits. If you are interested in participating, and are able to attend the testing session on February 1, 2023, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., please reach out to the Planning Department Business Services Analyst, Justin Henderson, at [email protected]. Stipends for those that are interested are available upon request.

Applicant-Sponsored Neighborhood Meetings

5422 Page Road Rezoning – January 30, 2023
Morningstar Law Group is conducting a virtual neighborhood meeting on Monday, January 30th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the potential rezoning of Parcel ID Number 200296.
The property is currently zoned Industrial Park (IP), and the applicant is proposing to rezone to Industrial Park with a text only development plan (IP(D)) to increase the allowable height and build a hotel on the site. 

How to Participate in the January 30, 2023, Neighborhood Meeting:
Register for the meeting here:
https://morningstarlaw.group/1302023.mlg

To participate via phone:
+1 301 715 8592
Meeting ID: 876 5482 3034
Passcode: 625605

Please do not hesitate to contact Morningstar Law Group at [email protected] if you would like a copy of the Zoom meeting link. Also, for more information about Planning cases, you may want to visit durhamnc.gov, email [email protected], or contact the Durham City-County Planning Department via phone at 919-560-4137.

321, 323, and 325 Gray Avenue Rezoning – February 1, 2023
Parker Poe is conducting a virtual neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, February 1st, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the potential rezoning of Parcel ID Numbers 110299, 110271, and 110298.
The properties are currently zoned Residential Urban-Multifamily (RU-M), and the applicant is proposing to rezone to Residential Urban-Multifamily with a development plan (RU-M(D)) to facilitate the construction of townhomes. 

How to Participate in the February 1, 2023, Neighborhood Meeting:
Join the meeting here:
https://zoom.us./join
Meeting ID: 880 5135 6390
Passcode: 498811

To participate via phone:
+1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 880 5135 6390
Passcode: 498811

Please do not hesitate to contact Parker Poe at [email protected] if you would like a copy of the Zoom meeting link. Also, for more information about Planning cases, you may want to visit durhamnc.gov, email [email protected], or contact the Durham City-County Planning Department via phone at 919-560-4137.

Please Note:
The information found under this section of Applicant Sponsored Meetings is provided only as an additional form of notice and is not a requirement of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The Planning Department shares meeting information provided by applicants as a courtesy only. As such, if a meeting is not listed here due to an oversight on the part of the applicant or the Planning Department, the meeting can still be held as long as all UDO mailed notice requirements were met per UDO Section 3.2.3, https://durham.municipal.codes/UDO/3.2.3.

Amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)

There are two 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 Planning Committee Agenda Item: 
https://www.durhamnc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/47408/TC2200004---Phased-Development-and-Tree-Preservation-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), 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, changes within the UDO are proposed 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 guides what can be built where in Durham. 

Save-the-date for engagement on the full draft Comprehensive Plan!
After three and a half years of working together, we have a full draft of the new Comprehensive Plan ready for community review and input! Engagement will be launching later this month and will be open for two months – please plan to review the plan, attend a meeting, and provide your input. 

This engagement will be a chance to see all the pieces pulled together into one document, to better understand how it all works together, and to celebrate what we have accomplished together. During this engagement we will also be sharing information on how community members can continue to be involved in the project as the public hearing and adoption process begins.    

Read more information and get meeting details here!

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, January 23, 2023, 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 public hearing on January 23, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., in the Commissioners' Chambers, 2nd Floor, Durham County Administration I, 200 E. Main Street to hear the following request:

UDO Text Amendment:

• Development Plan Revisions (TC2200002): This text amendment proposes revisions to the requirements within the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for Zoning Map Changes with a Development Plan to provide more transparency in the process, shorten the length of the process to more closely align with neighboring jurisdictions, and make the process more accessible to more people.

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.

Information for joining this meeting virtually can be found at Commissioner Meetings. The Zoom meeting link will be posted during the week before the scheduled meeting. 

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, January 24, 2023, at 8:30 a.m.
Committee Room, Second Floor, 101 City Hall Plaza
Link to the Board of Adjustment Agenda

The Durham City-County Board of Adjustment will hold public hearings on January 24, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. in the Committee Room, Second Floor, 101 City Hall Plaza, to hear the following requests in quasi-judicial hearings:

• B2200048 – City: A request for a Minor Special Use Permit for additional building height. The property is located at 5321, 5325, 5327, and 5421 Chin Page Road, zoned Office and Institutional (OI) and Office and Institutional-D (OI(D)), and within the Suburban Development Tier. 

• B2200049 – City: A request for a Minor Special Use Permit to allow a hotel where the property line is 200 feet or less from a residential district or the property line of a single-family residential use. The property is located at 2050 Watchorn Street, zoned Commercial General-D (CG(D)), and within the Suburban Development Tier. 

• B2200050 – City: A request for a Variance from the rear yard setback requirements. The property is located at 114 N. Plum Street, zoned Residential Urban-5(2) (RU-5(2)), and within the Urban Development Tier. 

• B2200051 – City: A request for a Variance from the rear yard setback requirements. The property is located at 116 N. Plum Street, zoned Residential Urban-5(2) (RU-5(2)), and within the Urban Development Tier. 

• B2200052 – County: A request for a Variance from the riparian buffer protection standards in order to construct a pool, screened porch, deck, path, and a new parking area. The property is located at 5617 Inverness Drive, zoned Residential Rural (RR), and within the Suburban Development Tier. 

• B2200053 – County: A request for a Minor Special Use Permit for the construction of an addition to a nonconforming structure. The property is located at 5617 Inverness Drive, zoned Residential Rural (RR), and within the Suburban Development Tier. 

• B2200055 – City: A request for a Variance from the infill standards in order to construct a single-family detached house on a corner lot. The property is located at 2222 Woodrow Street, zoned Residential Suburban-8 (RS-8), and 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 Council

Monday, February 6, 2023, 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 February 6, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 1st Floor, 101 City Hall Plaza, to hear the following requests:

UDO Text Amendments

• Development Plan Revisions (TC2200002) This text amendment proposes revisions to the requirements within the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for Zoning Map Changes with a Development Plan to provide more transparency in the process, shorten the length of the process to more closely align with neighboring jurisdictions, and make the process more accessible to more people. 

Annexations:

• NHA Oak Grove Charter (BDG2000007) is a request for a voluntary non-contiguous annexation of two parcels of land totaling 12.37 acres; located at 2201 East Geer Street and 2523 East Club Boulevard. 
• 1110 Old Oxford Road (BDG2000008) is a request for a voluntary non-contiguous annexation of one parcel of land totaling 4.491 acres; located at 1110 Old Oxford Road. 
• Mica Ridge (BDG2100015) is a request for a voluntary contiguous annexation of 17 parcels of land totaling 89.76 acres; located at 1251, 1305, 1367, 1417, 1421 South Miami Boulevard; 1314, 1516, 1602, 1652, 1802 South Mineral Springs Road; 212 Yates Road; 102, 112, 126, 154, 234, 302 Beall Street. 

Zoning Map Changes:

• NHA Oak Grove Charter (Z2000011A) is a request to change the zoning from Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20), Commercial Neighborhood (CN), Residential Rural (RR), Falls/Jordan District B (F/J-B), Major Transportation Corridor I-85 (MTC I-85), County Jurisdiction and establishing the same as Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20), Commercial Neighborhood (CN), Residential Rural (RR), Falls/Jordan District B (F/J-B), Major Transportation Corridor I-85 (MTC I-85), City Jurisdiction; located at 2201 East Geer Street and 2523 East Club Boulevard.
• 1110 Old Oxford Road (Z2000009) is a request to change the zoning from Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20), County Jurisdiction to Commercial General with a Development Plan (CG(D)), City Jurisdiction; located at 1110 Old Oxford Road. 
• Mica Ridge (Z2100028) is a request to change the zoning from Residential Suburban-20 (RS-20) and Commercial General (CG), Falls/Jordan District B (F/J-B), County Jurisdiction to Planned Development Residential-4.680 (PDR-4.680), Falls/Jordan District B (F/J-B), City Jurisdiction; located at 1251, 1305, 1367, 1417, 1421, South Miami Boulevard; 1314, 1516, 1602, 1652, 1802 South Mineral Springs Road; 212 Yates Road; 102, 112, 126, 154, 234, 302 Beall Street.

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