[{"_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",6527328,"mediaKeyId","3633634-c390ce272105f38ce14d9a78d8986575","parentId",3633634,"title","Council approves conveyance of skate-park ramps to Scrap Exchange after community testimony","audioSeconds",191,"startMs",2655000,"endMs",2846000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633634-c390ce272105f38ce14d9a78d8986575&start=2655&end=2846","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633634-c390ce272105f38ce14d9a78d8986575/thumbnail_2655000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6527328/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-conveyance-of-skate-park-ramps-to-Scrap-Exchange-after-community-testimony","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527328-79f9254052a17582221c44f88d102c21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136596&Signature=FSmhyacmSY6xr~X1F4O6Dqe4j8V36EpK7rtCkYRouDAGp3HIiWSRxBQDp4Ey1L4BNNgbWgY7BgxZV75o8q6ismEuQS~MLmUvUMiRcjnwnwwlmpC~rxY3CCICQuwf8R6n4oe3HQJ7GcSsNkg2Csw4-vFfw6BKpMp4SD8Rc~yli-aNdnKwgLgTxxWZwM5Y~681aNyCfau3F3TXVwrucfMAegvC1BBUMP2oI~sMMWhljNIuuli3MehISDkaJx24~QUS6ardtNJaFIzzfVjBRdVaGVV1M71U6O0Aij0LK6FQzxxYZOOPEb0MfwNXNzcYr~aQLmroE6jejF8LHITuJ2iTXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Durham","date","2025-05-20T18:09:50.08Z","article","Durham City Council voted unanimously May 20 to approve a resolution conveying skate-park amenities to Scrap Exchange Inc.

Local skateboarder and shop owner Mike Johnston told the council the skate community uses the city's skate park daily and urged the council to treat the donation of ramps as an opening to provide continued support for skate spaces in future park projects. “The camaraderie, mutual support, and family vibes at the park are hard to find anywhere else,” Johnston said. He asked council to consider skate facilities in upcoming park and bond projects that will renovate or create public parks and amenities.

Council moved and seconded the resolution under the consent agenda, and the clerk recorded the vote as unanimous.

Ending: Council approved the conveyance; the park community asked the city to consider skate amenities when planning future park bond projects and renovations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Durham City Council May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Durham City Council approved donating skate-park ramps and amenities to the Scrap Exchange; a local skate-shop owner urged the council to view the donation as the start of ongoing city support for the skateboard community.","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},6527333,"Council approves 408-unit Mont’s Ridge rezoning; developer commits 5% affordable units and proffers to housing and schools",2975,8664000,11639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633634-c390ce272105f38ce14d9a78d8986575&start=8664&end=11639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633634-c390ce272105f38ce14d9a78d8986575/thumbnail_8664000.jpg","/articles/6527333/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-408-unit-Monts-Ridge-rezoning-developer-commits-5-affordable-units-and-proffers-to-housing-and-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527333-193991381ee0139cd233c73f9ae446ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136596&Signature=CPDCVFYB37cANMeFXZrluPyS0oA9CfDW1c5lq6yt5Z3W9ErowoYflf044vmm~e9icoMk52aNsVg7pjguJwm8m0fj5dZDxfFfU2gf4esFsQ4~vttG1aIGRtUau0E9ucs8-Y66SZjg67egntd~TO9GNCRUvNLpQNg9rsyyJdBcDCK-SolMwC0wQIn96IOUSHXrUJEu3e0vaiLdyfba--HX6ujWw~wxqMejxq4yqBiT68Yka8ewlJ9QzxAhNkOr9m8ICy3nTr9HcMdpm~zStenWqHZDKjrI-65Bu7n8xlhjFkP-lwe-a-8nH4UAqaVfyfmRdSOgH8ZUUVArROPBzeYZtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Council unanimously approved May 20 a rezoning request for approximately 16.56 acres along Andrews Chapel Road that will allow a mixed residential project of up to 408 units, combining multifamily buildings and townhouses.

Applicant Worth Mills of Longleaf Partners presented a development plan that shows two access points on Andrews Chapel Road, a 10-foot multiuse path along frontage, preservation of stream buffer and Neuse River buffer in the southeast corner, and a 30-foot landscape buffer (0.6 opacity) along the eastern boundary to screen adjacent properties. The applicant stated materials restrictions (no vinyl siding) and height limits—multifamily buildings generally limited to five stories (75 feet) but capped at four stories/60 feet within 250 feet of the nearby Towns at Briar Creek.

At planning commission request and in response to neighborhood comments, the developer adjusted commitments: 5% of all units will be affordable at 80% of area median income for 30 years, a $50,000 contribution to the Durham housing fund, and an increase of the previously offered $10,000 payment to Durham Public Schools to $16,500. The applicant also committed that at least 100% of certain planting areas will use native trees.

An applicant representative told council the property is partly in Wake County and partly in Durham County but already annexed into the city; zoning and UDO rules will apply as city property. A local resident and advocate spoke in support of adding housing supply.

Council approved the zoning map amendment to PDR 25, authorized the city manager to enter a utility extension agreement with Mont’s Ridge LLC and adopted the required statutory consistency statement, all by unanimous votes.

Ending: Council and the applicant discussed off-site sidewalk connections and open-space protections; staff and the developer agreed to refine off-site sidewalk easements and to coordinate the affordable-unit allocations and site-plan details during permitting.","Durham City Council voted unanimously to rezone roughly 16.6 acres near Andrews Chapel Road to allow up to 408 units (383 multifamily, 25 townhouses). The developer proffered 5% of units at 80% AMI for 30 years, a $50,000 contribution to the city housing fund and a $16,500 payment to Durham public schools.",{"_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},6527338,"Council annexes Danube Lane parcels and approves zoning for 30 townhouses and duplexes",1808,6096000,7904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633634-c390ce272105f38ce14d9a78d8986575&start=6096&end=7904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633634-c390ce272105f38ce14d9a78d8986575/thumbnail_6096000.jpg","/articles/6527338/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-annexes-Danube-Lane-parcels-and-approves-zoning-for-30-townhouses-and-duplexes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527338-9527554ffffd96e3a85c0d6e3cee0d96/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136596&Signature=U5bCDhCBJRr23-EQXz3ODVwARxNZ049O7WcBALP5Tm8D~TLZeLtu3gz7Tm6ZUtkd1d3c~bktdC2msipm9vAlg4050wCrHAYxInHkkkHeb3aIBWbT8iPdMZ1qJUck0U9uGrWeyHXokF8NspxLVpRZd857Ey-YiF2eRD~Q0Q1-IMYlSodx9VU8vTvT4DMbaLZ3nyaw4NtEj0PlagNWpSv0lr6tlGO3xyeZKOyvttvaysfIypJq6L-vqLllqZa4bpsWEnes88k7xoYnLpK4KlmbHWddvXJJ-KvVX1p85Y6ujMJKcp1RqBrUkSkCQG3Y8OxQsMgU0rZ3bXypYPXK06Lclg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Council voted May 20 to annex two contiguous parcels on Danube Lane and approve initial planned development residential zoning to allow up to 30 dwelling units in a mix of townhouses and duplexes.

The planning department reported the site totals 5.04 acres at 3824 and 3910 Danube Lane and that the applicant requested a zoning change from Residential Suburban 20 to Planned Development Residential (PDR) 7.813. Staff said the proposal is ‘‘generally consistent’’ with the comprehensive plan place-type map and that the developable area is concentrated south of Carver Street with sensitive environmental area preserved to the north.

Laura Holloman, the project planner for the applicant, told council the proposal includes a greenway easement for the Cub Creek Trail, a commitment to native landscaping and a $10,000 contribution to the affordable housing fund. Council members questioned student generation assumptions used in school impact calculations and asked staff to continue refining the enrollment formula.

Council then voted to annex the parcels and authorize a utility extension agreement; that motion passed 6–1 with Councilmember Nate Baker voting no on the annexation motion. The subsequent zoning map amendment adopting PDR 7.813 passed unanimously, and the required consistency statement under North Carolina law also passed unanimously.

Ending: The approvals allow the applicant to pursue site plan review and utility extents; council requested continued contact with Durham Public Schools and clarified that current student generation formulas are based on recent DPS data and will be updated annually.","Durham City Council approved the voluntary annexation and initial PDR zoning for two Danube Lane parcels, clearing the way for up to 30 townhouses and duplexes; annexation passed 6–1 with one member voting no on the annexation motion and zoning approvals were unanimous.",{"_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},6527341,"Durham City Council unanimously adopts resolution opposing state bill that would curtail local development authority",227,2845000,3072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633634-c390ce272105f38ce14d9a78d8986575&start=2845&end=3072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633634-c390ce272105f38ce14d9a78d8986575/thumbnail_2845000.jpg","/articles/6527341/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Durham-City-Council-unanimously-adopts-resolution-opposing-state-bill-that-would-curtail-local-development-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527341-a7e108bc5817abacc7df2773550294b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136596&Signature=lU0unnRt69OFxpTxg-ZtQ0Uk7tiJxsc5WKK5T~a3Mg7T3ZFB7b46CM2UDJmEisbbBTs3YgFJxadmysiq7ZYwpjU~2R8olQsY-sWY-et7QtB0Jdv5DZpc583Wiz~QA1yqmO8o6ir37mi-PF3F8SOmBqCuuLiHuFCZ1rQWmLLOAUQIKuELv50ubWzYxSieTlfa2Y5Qjxz3MORPGM1cdnzo9ZxYQ7wK21fTXMJzqLZTCn3wBQwtsaGmPvlkMQmn8~~PKpReQCMaX0nw54oHztQgHoksHk1wZyLSV~qjjgAOpnFDo6Vto8W5r-fmZ0fX7PURGHqt21xl7uXPyg39jFM0rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Council voted unanimously May 20 to adopt a resolution opposing House Bill 765, a pending state measure council members said would limit local control over development regulations.

Mayor Leonardo Williams brought the resolution forward and told colleagues the bill “dramatically, reduce[s] the local powers” to deliberate how communities grow. “This takes it away… and it just removes the ability for us at the local level to deliberate on how we actually grow and develop our own communities,” the mayor said during discussion. Councilmembers from different parts of the council voiced support; no speaker opposed the resolution at the meeting.

The council then moved, seconded and approved the resolution by a unanimous vote. Councilmembers said they would coordinate with other city mayors and councils across North Carolina in making a joint statement opposing the legislation.

Ending: The resolution was approved without recorded dissent; councilmembers said they planned continued outreach to the General Assembly and other municipal leaders.","Durham City Council voted unanimously May 20 to adopt a resolution opposing House Bill 765, which council members said would reduce local authority over development rules and preempt local planning choices.",{"_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},6527347,"Durham city manager proposes $722 million FY26 budget, recommends tax-rate cut above revenue-neutral level",1591,3693000,5284000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633634-c390ce272105f38ce14d9a78d8986575&start=3693&end=5284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633634-c390ce272105f38ce14d9a78d8986575/thumbnail_3693000.jpg","/articles/6527347/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Durham-city-manager-proposes-722-million-FY26-budget-recommends-tax-rate-cut-above-revenue-neutral-level","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527347-bc66da9a211ec5d0135183b68b62e0a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136596&Signature=XGCgNdL9XoYEgyHgkh1csz5F-4QM6AI-7EkyH1iXzfqoQvDviouZ6cfXg-T2ovMlNe3IjORGqfZ0KuOY~NQbPZn5qNqW7Mrh2xms4-mWJmRtNn2o8aJ8UA7XryhSJq1CALNq6z50VTEE21ycs4KQYVgKGuBjuyQ882xLHdPUe2anjV9jrKxsUEXLl2SsEwi~UTvbLpYHWhCPpd0UZufL7TbEz~TsX0yzY3~SNJ-T41FPpjlxCICJUAwqsys6PXBeyufs5S9-DPOPdIAGvyScf4~rt1hpw4F-JsbSpsVtHrupKleJbtg99NF5WAApo~a4TEM2NPwXHkM4osR9MoeS-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Manager (presenter) unveiled the city’s proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget on May 20, proposing a $722,000,000 package that would reduce the property tax rate from 59.62¢ to 43.71¢ per $100 of assessed value and pay for bond and operating costs the manager said the city needs to sustain services.

The proposal reduces the tax rate by 15.91¢ but remains 5.48¢ above the revenue-neutral rate of 38.23¢ calculated after the county-wide revaluation. “I am honored to present my first budget for fiscal year 25–26 as your new city manager,” the city manager said in opening the presentation, and later summarized the topline: “Our proposed fiscal year 25–26 budget is $722,000,000…an increase of about $54,000,000 or 8%.”

The manager’s pitch emphasized four priorities: community safety, employee support, service delivery and infrastructure. Among specific proposals were a daytime expansion of the HEART (crisis response) program with funding for 17 new positions including clinicians and street outreach staff; continued funding for fare-free GoDurham bus service; a modest market-based pay adjustment and maintenance of a minimum livable wage of $21.90/hour for full-time city employees; and capital investments including $315.7 million for water and sewer system upgrades and $537.6 million in the capital improvement plan across more than 70 projects.

The presentation notes that property values rose 71.6% after Durham County’s revaluation, which generates an estimated $47,000,000 in additional property tax revenue. The manager proposed using 2 cents of the rate to pay debt service for the $200 million bond program voters approved in November and said the proposed rate ‘‘allows us to invest in the services and the infrastructure that our community has asked for.’’ He also proposed a water/sewer rate increase averaging $6.33 per month (about 8.5%) beginning July 1 and no change to the stormwater or parking rates.

Council members responded with a mix of praise and requests for follow-up. Councilmember Chelsea Cook congratulated the manager and said the proposal was “pretty close” to what she wanted; Councilmember Nate Baker praised continued fare-free transit funding and said it furthers equity and service reliability; Councilmember Deidreana Freeman urged attention to the tax-billing impacts on seniors and households on fixed incomes and requested suggestions for trimming items during council deliberations.

The manager said staff will brief council in budget work sessions in early May and hold a public hearing on June 2; the full proposed budget is posted at DurhamNC.gov/budget. Council will next review the details at scheduled work sessions before any final vote.

Ending: The manager described the proposal as a “fresh look” at city structure and services after revaluation and said the budget aligns with Durham’s strategic plan and community input. Councilmembers praised the document as a starting point and signaled additional scrutiny at work sessions and the June public hearing. No final budget vote was taken at the May 20 meeting.","City Manager presented a $722 million proposed budget for fiscal year 2025–26 that reduces the property tax rate to 43.71¢ (from 59.62¢), funds expanded crisis response, preserves fare-free transit and increases employee pay; council will review in upcoming work sessions and hold a public hearing June 2.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves conveyance of skate-park ramps to Scrap Exchange after community testimony

Council approves 408-unit Mont’s Ridge rezoning; developer commits 5% affordable units and proffers to housing and schools

Council annexes Danube Lane parcels and approves zoning for 30 townhouses and duplexes

Durham City Council unanimously adopts resolution opposing state bill that would curtail local development authority

Durham city manager proposes $722 million FY26 budget, recommends tax-rate cut above revenue-neutral level