Highlights about Public Engagement

The council allowed the applicant to withdraw a long-running Hayti rezoning case after promised benefits failed to win community support. A separate proposal to rezone parcels for a Durham Rescue Mission career center was also denied, following concerns about neighborhood impact and building design.

The board honored the emergency management team for recent disaster response and approved a new biotech academy at Southern High. Highlights include major library grants, land conservation efforts, and a high number of residents applying for board service.

The council passed a new budget with a significant tax increase, expanded investments in worker pay, fare-free buses, and homelessness services, while also approving a $1.5 million loan for public housing. Two townhouse rezoning requests sparked debate over affordable housing and small developers, and a major Hayti neighborhood rezoning was continued for further community input.

The council held its last public hearing on the budget, heard about a milestone in the Mayor's Bull City Future Fund, and finalized a resolution supporting Amazon workers’ right to unionize. Residents weighed in on affordable housing, street safety, and expanding the HEART program.