[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6630912,"mediaKeyId","2688525-9fea872d5d3055c764f5c9e4cba63220","parentId",2688525,"title","Public weighs in on Durham budget: calls to keep festivals funding, expand HEART, retain fare‑free transit and fund eviction prevention","audioSeconds",627,"startMs",7393000,"endMs",8020000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688525-9fea872d5d3055c764f5c9e4cba63220&start=7393&end=8020","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688525-9fea872d5d3055c764f5c9e4cba63220/thumbnail_7393000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6630912/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Public-weighs-in-on-Durham-budget-calls-to-keep-festivals-funding-expand-HEART-retain-farefree-transit-and-fund-eviction-prevention","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630912-bd45e082a9ccaa09a9a11c1c04beaeb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773619401&Signature=aOk~e1VS-KBQaOacELffHPAHC-PBP24sjB20u7PoacLLbOYFPLbRHC9vQ0k3vXZ9xgqvnmJFAUpG60Ag~5PX5Ugk9Z2qrJmbUsUZxi2pcV5ZnTWbalazALBQJJ1H0AUBzGHzCt3FzKwXHdQC1ePHlbnkLvU~ZN8rUWlWGWToMrJY1D4FT0KX-80fri-j8qBZimElmraqOaCPqwQs9VGrhWRa5NUrPzXp0pK-GrW~cmIRSOTklrwPN8frr0TO-Oqf7qg9AiVwrWyuo9vZHi-O9vl2e6BhcWYzns89NJwHFnVbWuUl8CWyzD1bb59RFFPNNOBnTt5szIgQ~~tsPSJliQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Durham","date","2025-03-18T14:07:42.25Z","article","Durham City Hall opened a public hearing on March 17 to gather community comment on the city manager’s development of the FY 2025–26 operating budget and the FY 2026–31 capital improvement plan (CIP). Budget staff reminded the public of the schedule: city manager’s proposed budget will be presented May 19, a second public hearing is set for June 2, and final adoption is scheduled for June 16.

Speakers represented a range of priorities. Common themes included: continuing and expanding social‑service and cultural funding; public‑safety alternatives; and transportation, parks and housing investments.

Festival and cultural funding: Multiple speakers from the Durham Cultural Advisory Board, festival organizers and arts advocates asked the council to maintain the recently increased festival and events fund at $400,000 for the coming year. Testimony cited economic impact metrics, applications growth and the role of festivals in building Durham’s cultural identity and tourism economy.

Transit and HEART: Several nonprofit and transit advocates urged continued fare‑free GoDurham service; the Transit Equity Campaign asked the city to seek $1.5 million from Durham County’s transit tax to sustain fare‑free service. Dozens of speakers asked the council to fully fund expansion of HEART, the city’s unarmed community response and care navigation program, to operate 24/7 and to extend services into schools. Speakers argued that HEART reduces reliance on armed police responses and addresses mental‑health and social‑service needs.

Eviction prevention and housing: Legal aid, faith‑based volunteers and housing advocates urged continued and expanded funding for eviction diversion, emergency rental assistance, and homelessness prevention. Speakers testified that preventing evictions is both a public‑health and public‑safety priority and that legal representation and diversion dollars reduce homelessness and long‑term costs.

Living wage and city workforce: Representatives of the municipal workers’ union and several city employees urged revising the living‑wage calculation so it uses a more current housing‑cost window; they said that change would yield a higher living wage (testimony cited a $24.54 figure for a recalculated living wage) and could materially improve city employees’ economic stability.

Parks, trails and pools: The Durham Parks Foundation and residents asked the council to keep the half‑penny parks allocation at its current level and to fund maintenance and deferred repairs across park sites, citing public‑health and equity concerns. Other speakers requested funding for lead remediation work and noted existing investments tied to watershed protection.

Streets and Vision Zero: Several speakers and safety advocates asked the council to fully fund the Vision Zero action plan, including two‑way conversions and design improvements on roads identified as high‑injury corridors (Roxborough, Mangum, Duke and Gregson were repeatedly cited) and to prioritize pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

Public testimony closed at the end of the hearing. No budget votes were taken at the hearing; the city manager and budget staff will compile comments and include them in the proposed budget materials in May. Budget staff opened the meeting by noting that a revaluation year will affect tax‑rate calculations and that a revenue‑neutral rate will be calculated before the manager’s proposed budget is released.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Durham City Council March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Hundreds of Durham residents and organization representatives spoke at a March 17 public hearing on the FY2025–26 budget and FY26–31 CIP, urging continued support for festivals, fare‑free transit, expansion of the HEART unarmed response program, eviction‑prevention funding, parks maintenance and road‑safety projects.","taxTitle","Durham City, Durham County, North Carolina","taxId",5766,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6630917,"Council annexes 6.2‑acre Valmet Drive parcel for future single‑family subdivision; zoning translates to RS‑20",152,3718000,3870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688525-9fea872d5d3055c764f5c9e4cba63220&start=3718&end=3870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688525-9fea872d5d3055c764f5c9e4cba63220/thumbnail_3718000.jpg","/articles/6630917/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-annexes-62acre-Valmet-Drive-parcel-for-future-singlefamily-subdivision-zoning-translates-to-RS20","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630917-d935ee412705bc0701d927dcfea20b07/orig.mp4?Expires=1773619401&Signature=PNQUbeLx26EjPY4CTxEppyvpMUb2nDtWs1cjxAM0b6osasObYyqUrkvqqJtaYEVUjeYtWdKrFfr5MXeMCO0ZYtpGTZTTd5e~jmxns1XZDshxmgoJQIdshO4~ZuHkwHohKZJcpGyU4-RgLNYu5I8DqGsa5fH6vNpeGrFm5o~CLq02gK6xWY8u8Jj4Yhl1lKWBFhiO9~rL1OtbuzRyQJrmSDZZ5FufRcXDJLb7Ve-wp5xWTRUZusJ5FdQFbJf83-HdOhYCDyoLKx3KkD4pGsOJJF~dtWE5OdDtELKeWbnbr~ekc~v4RFdMOHCIJkNdYf97wCUgQfu3T8ur-KqfOEr2Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council on March 17 adopted an ordinance annexing 1012 Valmet Drive (about 6.2 acres) and authorized a utility extension agreement to permit the property to connect to city water and sewer.

Planning staff reported the parcel’s place‑type designation is mixed residential neighborhood and that the applicant requested translational zoning: the county RS‑20 zoning would translate to the identical city RS‑20 district on annexation. Staff said the proposed zoning is consistent with the place type and that the applicant could ultimately develop up to 12 single‑family lots under the zoning in place.

Pam Porter of TMTLA Associates spoke on behalf of the applicant, noting that while the zoning allows up to 12 lots, actual buildable yield will likely be lower after stormwater, tree coverage and other site requirements are applied. Planning Commission had previously given unanimous approval to the annexation and translational zoning.

Council voted unanimously on three related actions: adopt the annexation ordinance, adopt parallel UDO text transferring county zoning to city jurisdiction, and adopt the North Carolina General Statute 160D consistency statement required for annexation and initial zoning changes. The annexation allows the applicant to pursue a utility extension agreement and later subdivision and site review under city development regulations.","Durham City Council unanimously approved the voluntary annexation and translational zoning of 1012 Valmet Drive, adding the property to city limits and assigning Residential Suburban 20 zoning, making the site eligible for up to 12 single‑family lots pending future development review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6630921,"Council approves 24‑acre rezoning for infill apartments off Chinpaje/Chin Page Road with added affordability and tree commitments",362,2298000,2660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688525-9fea872d5d3055c764f5c9e4cba63220&start=2298&end=2660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688525-9fea872d5d3055c764f5c9e4cba63220/thumbnail_2298000.jpg","/articles/6630921/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-24acre-rezoning-for-infill-apartments-off-ChinpajeChin-Page-Road-with-added-affordability-and-tree-commitments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630921-9a0bfdd5c7940525c5b033e818e7df44/orig.mp4?Expires=1773619401&Signature=jWK4sNJInP1n9coUIPnkXNBct7I6WcSL3Cyym7VN7OdP7b0hKXUEv~sPBpBI3m3uGnAUCQWOGHDLAZnLZ9sBgajPbIEH6oRjFA0N81NbWUsW8SLv0ic8VtzrgngvnhNVEGIDJxaguiXlZcnhqy2NUdPp0ks2cni1YiGhHASGPpoP448HzHGFPf47X4cOSHSd~A3qFkpQaCSKIYJQMV8jYJiC5ruq4bDNm1x9NL31De5DEMjaiW8zkr5CUFQlgYt85cEC~LreSJvyIESKUhh5csecyJiAW-2-RhderBiKLGW6~roFGQr5Qvnw-43YwR6xmI~4HbyczUBNKPuOtswIpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council on March 17 approved a request to rezone four parcels totaling about 24.13 acres near Chinpaje/Chin Page Road to a Planned Development Residential (PDR 24.115) designation, allowing the applicant to build up to 360 multifamily dwelling units.

Payton Burgess of the Planning Department told council the site is currently designated general industrial on the place‑type map and that staff recommended a map change to apartment and townhouse neighborhood if the rezoning were approved. The application received a unanimous recommendation for approval from the Planning Commission.

Applicant representative Neil Ghosh described existing changes in the industrial market nearby, noted that Wolfspeed is moving operations and large industrial buildings across the street are likely to remain vacant, and said recent industrial park approvals give the city a large inventory of industrial space. Ghosh also told council the team added commitments after Planning Commission input: increasing the share of affordable units from 3% to 6% at 60% AMI for 30 years (as adjusted with the seller), guaranteeing elevators in all four‑story and taller buildings, increasing tree coverage to roughly 21%, providing open space in a minimum of three distinct areas instead of a single cluster, and prioritizing native plants per UDA standards where allowed.

The applicant additionally committed to prohibit certain uses in the industrial portion of the site — specifically correctional facilities, golf course, hotel/motel/extended stay, drive‑through facilities, vehicle sales and vehicle service — to reduce the risk of nuisance impacts near future multifamily uses.

Council members asked staff and the applicant technical questions about consistency with the comprehensive plan and industrial land studies. Planning staff said that, while the site scores for industrial use in past studies, council’s stated priorities in recent years have emphasized housing supply and affordability, and staff did not have a strong objection to the place‑type change.

Council voted to adopt the ordinance and the required North Carolina statutory consistency statement; votes were recorded as unanimous in the meeting minutes. The applicant may proceed to site‑plan and technical review where stormwater, tree preservation and other technical items will be evaluated.","Durham City Council unanimously approved rezoning roughly 24 acres off Chin Page Road (agenda item 30) to allow up to 360 multifamily units after the applicant increased affordable housing commitments and added environmental and accessibility proffers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6630926,"Council approves Pickett Road apartments over objections about sandy‑creek habitat and safety",342,3408000,3750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688525-9fea872d5d3055c764f5c9e4cba63220&start=3408&end=3750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688525-9fea872d5d3055c764f5c9e4cba63220/thumbnail_3408000.jpg","/articles/6630926/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-Pickett-Road-apartments-over-objections-about-sandycreek-habitat-and-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630926-50dff51e518e1375a563991bef2be573/orig.mp4?Expires=1773619401&Signature=byF~hCgUxLoHDtFcWZxINogkvvgjRl0VM2KU0lCfbDDW07PDQCtiR~j5PySKepBDmuX01XfgZ4gzC311f-hNPIb8jJN7vPQO0naGHNW1ON-4rmKkqPMhmSWvg77YM36Z3fQQcZwqu5F4kyd66CV-2RVteyyVXZhnDjCxZB2kQpqbazwd4CuI1nE2P96nfxOvm43sFjBN95SKPuEoDnw8wTAbKBFCDN11GGSC70dTMWhG67jPOAOb-5YciU1cqhHgXsYRHTu4JvhtmXSRtGKXEltBIv8PQVDAio5OSNhlZJmXPbH0P8AbvcF~DzHmxP99QdRHoS6nDF9wnI4fRtxFYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Council on March 17 approved a rezoning to allow development of up to 140 apartment units at five parcels on Pickett Road, a site adjacent to Sandy Creek Park and the Sandy Creek Trail.

The applicant, represented by attorney Neil Ghosh of Morningstar Law Group, described changes made after an earlier hearing and a council continuance. New commitments include meeting Energy Star multifamily certification standards, providing elevators in multistory buildings, using full cut‑off outdoor lighting fixtures, treating windows to meet an American Bird Conservancy material threat factor rating measure, dedicating an easement for the right of way to connect to the Sandy Creek Trail, and a one‑time $300,000 payment toward a sidewalk/connection fund. Ghosh told council the developer would now direct the $300,000 to the Durham Parks Foundation to be earmarked for Pickett Road–Sandy Creek connectivity.

Many residents, environmental groups and nearby landowners testified in opposition at length. Speakers cited the site’s proximity to floodplains, high‑quality riparian buffers and wetlands identified in local open‑space plans; they warned that added impervious surface and parking could worsen downstream flooding and degrade the Sandy Creek ecosystem. Bird conservation groups and local naturalists emphasized risks from nighttime lighting and reflective glass for migrating and resident birds in the park. Durham Academy representatives urged stronger, binding commitments for safe pedestrian crossings and clearer plans for the trail connection and crosswalk adjacent to the school.

Applicant testimony acknowledged constraints under the current Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) — for example, lighting levels required by the UDO and the timing of any future UDO updates — and stated the developer would adopt the highest practicable bird‑friendly window standard and make the listed connectivity payment. Applicant counsel said the project avoids construction within the mapped floodplain and that the building and parking envelopes are outside the most environmentally sensitive areas identified on the place‑type map.

Council members split on the project. In roll call, the motion to approve the rezoning passed 4–3; Councilmembers Baker, Cook and Freeman voted no. Council later adopted the required statutory consistency statement 6–1 (Councilmember Freeman voted no on that item).

Supporters of the rezoning said it helps add housing supply, includes modest affordable housing commitments and fits the city’s comprehensive plan place‑type designation for apartments and townhouses. Opponents said the site’s environmental sensitivity, limited transit and sidewalk connectivity, and school‑area safety risks made the location inappropriate for mid‑rise apartment development without firmer off‑site infrastructure guarantees.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed to later site‑plan review, where city staff will evaluate technical engineering, stormwater and building plans required before construction.","Durham City Council voted 4–3 to rezone five Pickett Road parcels for a 140‑unit apartment project after the applicant added design and environmental commitments; opponents raised concerns about wetlands, flooding, bird habitat and pedestrian safety near Sandy Creek Park and Durham Academy.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6630931,"Durham council urges lifting of USAID stop‑work order, cites local job and public‑health impacts",357,1523000,1880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688525-9fea872d5d3055c764f5c9e4cba63220&start=1523&end=1880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688525-9fea872d5d3055c764f5c9e4cba63220/thumbnail_1523000.jpg","/articles/6630931/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Durham-council-urges-lifting-of-USAID-stopwork-order-cites-local-job-and-publichealth-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630931-8c36ae97faef98bea740592ce2d114fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773619401&Signature=aKoS6bbHKTvnB4Olo3YHllHiQfZQKwQn3g~6IPxVJV~CCz8ol-2veA~GLa5BrkbBRBhHHSSi3aBzHqqIp-dI5j1h18a1li4j-BXVf0BIqRk0-PCbc6RhgdGXCZHyrqiM8-3JFB920HZ638Zj3e3ktv4gfGpYF4p-OAEfeTELQenDIecP70EDjMf0Gv10wsjeP1bas7GnD56MBmhGwAMAThfmZC8oNZeYM6xO9E1y54Ipn-XQq0zrqtAscOX4~A17nbOvmWDJblGoovaq8x~PDwG5kHV8Zi9~4~Do4HuTIvCNUwNqeVCyTixtZ46vXNz7Kdjk8HyFWa4-wu-Z7VmLcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Council on March 17 unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the immediate lifting of the federal stop‑work order on foreign assistance programs and the reopening of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The resolution, introduced as a joint city measure, asks the U.S. Treasury to pay outstanding invoices to North Carolina organizations, urges the state attorney general to amend pending litigation to include USAID and the State Department, and directs the city to transmit the resolution to Durham’s congressional delegation, the state attorney general, and other federal officials.

The measure was prompted in part by public testimony from Brianna Clark Schwelm, executive director of the North Carolina Global Health Alliance, who told council members that local organizations and contractors are already seeing job losses. “We have already experienced close to 500 jobs lost,” Clark Schwelm said, adding that North Carolina is the fourth‑highest recipient of USAID funding in the nation and that the funding supports both local jobs and global disease surveillance programs.

Council members who spoke in support framed the resolution as both an economic and moral response. The resolution text cites impacts including paused public‑health work, halted university collaborations, and disruptions to North Carolina‑based implementing partners. The measure also seeks a congressional review of foreign‑assistance policy and urges protection for more than 1,750 Triangle‑area jobs tied to global development contracts.

The adoption was recorded as a unanimous vote by the seven council members present.

The resolution does not impose legal obligations on federal agencies. It is a municipal expression of concern and an advocacy step directed at state and federal officials and agencies.

Officials and community organizations said they will continue outreach to the city’s federal delegation and to state officials to press for a rapid resolution and for repayment of invoices owed to local partners.","Durham City Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for an immediate lifting of the stop‑work order on U.S. foreign assistance and the reopening of USAID, saying the decision has caused layoffs among North Carolina contractors and risks global and local public‑health programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public weighs in on Durham budget: calls to keep festivals funding, expand HEART, retain fare‑free transit and fund eviction prevention

Council annexes 6.2‑acre Valmet Drive parcel for future single‑family subdivision; zoning translates to RS‑20

Council approves 24‑acre rezoning for infill apartments off Chinpaje/Chin Page Road with added affordability and tree commitments

Council approves Pickett Road apartments over objections about sandy‑creek habitat and safety

Durham council urges lifting of USAID stop‑work order, cites local job and public‑health impacts