In This Video
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton calls the meeting to order, acknowledges the absence of the mayor, and leads a moment of silent meditation. 
  • Councilmember Freeman delivers the Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community proclamation. 
  • Bernadette Green and Freda Robin thank the council for the proclamation and discuss the impact of breastfeeding-friendly practices on reducing infant mortality disparities. 
  • Stacy Poston from the City of Durham General Services Department provides an update on the redevelopment of 505 W Chapel Hill Street and reads a motion for the City Manager to negotiate a non-binding term sheet. 
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton calls on Stella Adams, who speaks on behalf of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, supporting the letter from the 505 Project Coalition and advocating for more affordable housing and city retention of land ownership. 
  • Nicole Thompson, President and CEO of Downtown Durham Incorporated, speaks in favor of the redevelopment of 505 W Chapel Hill Street, emphasizing its potential to catalyze further development in downtown Durham. 
  • Jane Williams from the walk-in ministry of First Presbyterian Church speaks about the need for more affordable housing, sharing examples of individuals struggling to pay rent. 
  • Cynthia Williams, Co-chair of the Coalition for Affordable Housing and Transit (CAHT), thanks the council and discusses the coalition's involvement and support for the 505 project, emphasizing the need for more affordable housing units and leasing the site's acreage rather than selling it. 
  • George Smart speaks about the importance of preserving mid-century modern buildings, specifically supporting the preservation of the Milton Small Building. 
  • Reverend James Blake addresses the council, reminding them of promises made regarding affordable housing and urging them to maximize the number of affordable units at 505 W Chapel Hill St. 
  • Sharon Fosbury speaks on behalf of the People's Alliance, emphasizing the need for affordable housing and urging the council to use the city-owned land for this purpose. 
  • Kathleen Turner, Piedmont Regional Director for Preservation North Carolina, supports the Peeble's Corporation's proposal for the 505 project, highlighting the importance of preserving the historic Home Security Life Insurance Building. 
  • Council Member Baker thanks Don Peebles and shares his priorities for the site, emphasizing affordable housing, public ownership, and quality urban design. 
  • Councilmember Freeman expresses appreciation for the community's engagement and discusses the importance of affordable housing and vibrant downtown development. 
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton begins raising several motions related to the development. 
  • The council votes on the motion to approve the recommendation of the Peebles Corporation as the preferred development team. 
  • Councilmember Rist offers a substitute motion to include a ground lease and consideration of additional affordable units or an annual cap on rent increases. 
  • Councilmember Kabir expresses comfort with the substitute motion, emphasizing flexibility for the developer around affordable units and rent capping. 
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton expresses concerns about changing the terms of the agreement and emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions with numbers in front of them. 
  • Stacy Poston from the General Services Department explains the process following the motion's approval, including negotiations and drafting necessary documents. 
  • The council votes on the substitute motion, which passes 5 to 1, with Mayor Pro Tem Middleton voting no. 
  • Sherry Zann Rosenthal speaks against certain provisions in the omnibus text amendments, particularly those related to accessory structures and dwelling units, and requests the removal of specific provisions. 
  • Neil Ghosh, representing Duke University, advocates for a request to rezone 60 parcels of land totaling 154.57 acres. 
  • Council Member Cook discusses the broad nature of the zoning request and the lack of control over future changes, expressing a desire to see a plan before making a decision. 
  • Further discussion on the timing mechanism and the need for clarity in the rezoning process. Council members express concerns about the lack of a development plan and the need for more information. 
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton expresses his opinion on the rezoning request, emphasizing the need for a fair standard for all institutions. He discusses the history of rezonings without development plans and the importance of not using this case to address other issues with Duke. 
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton asks Attorney Ghosh about the implications of a continuance, and Ghosh explains that they would use the time to work on the feedback received. 
  • The council confirms that the master plan will be shared and available on the website, and the meeting is adjourned by Mayor Bertent Middleton. 
Durham City Council
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August 19, 2024 Meeting

The council focused on next steps for redevelopment of the last remaining parcel of city owned land downtown, the former police department HQ at 505 West Chapel Hill Street.

26mins of 3hr 27min meeting
Planning & Zoning
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Video Notes

0:00 Stream starts

1:19 Open

2:03 Call to Order

2:36 Moment of Silent Meditation

2:51 Pledge of Allegiance

3:19 Roll Call

4:16 Ceremonial Item - Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community Proclamation

8:13 Ceremonial Item - Women’s Equality Day 2024 Proclamation

10:21 Announcements by Council

17:24 Priority Items by the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk

18:49 Consent Agenda (one vote for items 1 - 4 & 6 -15) (approved unanimously)

General Business Agenda

21:42 2025 City Council Meeting Schedule (approved unanimously)

23:48 7. Update on the Redevelopment of 505 W. Chapel Hill Street (approved unanimously)

General Business Agenda Public Hearing

1:54:22 17. Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendment – Omnibus 19 (TC2400001)

2:01:04 Break / Recess

2:12:07 continue 17. Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendment – Omnibus 19 (TC2400001) (approved unanimously)

2:45:04 18. Zoning Map Change – Duke Central Campus Addition (continued to Oct 7 Council meeting)

3:26:57 Adjournment

Welcome to the Durham City Council meeting for Aug 19, 2024.

To view the meeting agenda, visit http://DurhamNC.gov/AgendaCenter.

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