Durham Approves Budget, Delays Major Hayti Rezoning Case

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. 32mins

Budget Homeless Services Housing Policy Planning & Zoning Public Engagement
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Original Meeting

Monday, June 16th, 2025
11901.0
Full Meeting on YouTube
Video Notes

Welcome to the Durham City Council meeting for June 16, 2025.

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

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For details on how to participate, visit https://www.durhamnc.gov/1345

To contact City Council members directly, visit https://www.durhamnc.gov/1323

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Alex Rosen
Durham, North Carolina
As the Executive Director of See Gov, I focus on how to best achieve our mission of expanding thoughtful and consistent participation in democracy. I develop See Gov's technology, work to grow our impact, and find ways to sustain our nonprofit. I live in Durham, NC and make highlight reels for Durham and other See Gov pilot communities.
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In This Video
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton reflected on the significance of local government proclamations for Cleft and Cranial Facial Awareness Month and Juneteenth, and emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue in democracy during challenging times.
  • Mayor Williams called on the corporate and philanthropic community to help address a funding shortfall for Urban Ministries, which manages homeless services and recently lost significant federal support.
  • Mayor Williams described longstanding federal underfunding of public housing, highlighted the crisis facing the Durham Housing Authority, and the council unanimously approved a conditional $1.5 million loan to support the agency and its residents.
  • Council Member Baker highlighted budget investments including a significant increase in the minimum livable wage for city workers, continued fare-free bus service, infrastructure projects, and a renewed focus on homelessness services.
  • Council Member Caballero reminded residents that part of the tax increase was due to a voter-approved bond for infrastructure and parks, and emphasized the city's commitment to delivering services despite limited resources.
  • Council Member Rist highlighted key budget features including fare-free buses, expanded emergency response teams, investments in worker pay and lead remediation, and explained that much of the tax increase was due to a voter-approved bond, while also noting the city's unique homeowner relief program for low-income residents.
  • The council unanimously approved the city budget and capital improvement plan for the upcoming fiscal years.
  • A rezoning request was presented to change two parcels on South Miami Blvd from commercial to residential use, allowing up to 18 townhouses.
  • Council Member Cook questioned the applicant about the lack of a bus shelter, affordable housing units, and potential contributions to the affordable housing fund and public schools as part of a rezoning request for a townhouse development.
  • Council Member Rist and Mayor Pro Tem Middleton expressed concerns about the lack of affordable housing in a proposed infill development, while acknowledging the project's approval by the Planning Commission.
  • Council Member Freeman questioned the applicant about affordable housing and school funding contributions for a proposed townhouse project, and the applicant offered a $5,000 donation to local schools.
  • Council Member Caballero emphasized the challenges small and first-time developers face in making financial contributions to affordable housing, while Council Member Cook clarified the intent behind questions about such contributions during rezoning discussions.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton emphasized the importance of supporting small, local developers in infill projects and cautioned against policies that unintentionally exclude them in favor of larger corporations.
  • Mayor Williams thanked colleagues for securing a $5,000 school donation from a developer and expressed support for small developers taking risks to provide local housing.
  • The council approved the rezoning request for a townhouse development on South Miami Blvd by a vote of six to one, with Council Member Rist voting no.
  • Pam Porter of TMTLA Associates presented a rezoning request for up to 10 townhomes on East Cornwallis Road, highlighting neighborhood support, commitments to transit and school funding, and the owner's local ties to Durham.
  • Council Member Rist expressed support for the rezoning project, commending the applicant for responding to resident feedback, committing to transit improvements, and making contributions to local schools and the housing fund.
  • The council unanimously approved the rezoning of parcels on East Cornwallis Road to allow for up to 10 townhomes.
  • An applicant presented a request to rezone two parcels on East Lakewood Avenue and Fayetteville Street to allow for increased building height limits.
  • Jamie Schwedler, representing the property owners, described extensive community engagement over three years regarding a rezoning proposal in the Hayti neighborhood and expressed willingness to continue working with residents to reach a final compromise before the next council meeting.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton supported continuing the rezoning case for the Hayti neighborhood to allow more time for dialogue between the developer and the community.
  • Council Member Baker thanked community organizers for their role in the continuance of the Hayti rezoning case and discussed with the applicant how community benefits would be formalized through restrictive covenants, with ongoing negotiations planned before the next meeting.
  • Mayor Williams reflected on the historical significance of land in the Hayti neighborhood and expressed support for continuing community negotiations before a rezoning decision is made.
  • Mayor Williams confirmed the council's decision to continue the Hayti rezoning case to August 4th.
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