[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",6499878,"mediaKeyId","5529258-96efdea062c8949e7b885d396b0df8a9","parentId",5529258,"title","Council declines rezoning request for Durham Rescue Mission’s East Main site; project proponents pledge to keep working with neighbors","audioSeconds",3687,"startMs",10644000,"endMs",14331000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529258-96efdea062c8949e7b885d396b0df8a9&start=10644&end=14331","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529258-96efdea062c8949e7b885d396b0df8a9/thumbnail_10644000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6499878/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-declines-rezoning-request-for-Durham-Rescue-Missions-East-Main-site-project-proponents-pledge-to-keep-working-with-neighbors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499878-31ec289958dbe46a88bd6b1648e63b6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157348&Signature=Dl3QEmbqB0bCKdalbte7LYwFX~X2wYRA3uc62XzV0kNanHvnWN2SnsGBi1RCAVaos0m7F7MsBidc4trDFhOsz3oPn0yJqnQyVppBv00jg6ldlqtdsSN1mK9HvjQ~sLyiUO~dV~EzhwAziXC3-idyFEgxpskV4oKWXYlMv2idgbFsBwzIKTRt84zbV9~1VGGABoT9L~bHh9OsWwPPncn~WYZdZu3XBdWw125j5mQkyTgMIbISXNyXgzvHpwLuwWKMANJ3JeKtM6E9EMdn3AjcmUfHlEb6OnAx4nb7If1hkHd7xeipfJr30lIhWrZzDQ0c5m-jQK58iCC0URbpoCNpQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Durham","date","2025-08-05T03:15:31Z","article","The Durham City Council voted against the applicant’s request to rezone a 3.52-acre assemblage near East Main Street to an industrial-light district with a textual development plan intended to centralize Durham Rescue Mission services and create a career development center.

The applicant proposed to assemble 15 parcels and to construct a facility that would bring Durham Rescue Mission programs — career training, classrooms, counseling, a retail thrift store and other services — into a consolidated building. The applicant said the consolidated center would replace the mission’s scattered operations across multiple sites, reduce duplicative transportation of clients, and improve program efficiency. Project proponents included Pastor Rob Tartt, who described the mission’s focus on training for jobs with upward mobility such as CDL and culinary programs, and residents who testified about personal outcomes from mission services.

Staff reviewed the rezoning and concluded the industrial-light textual plan was “generally inconsistent” with the area’s current designation as a transit opportunity area because it omitted residential uses, permitted certain light industrial uses, and would not produce the employment density the place type envisions. Staff recommended that, if approved, the place type be changed to mixed employment; the applicant and mission representatives said they preferred the industrial-light framework to allow the proposed program mix and limited auto-oriented uses.

The applicant responded to neighborhood concerns by limiting permitted uses further in the development plan, adding landscaping and native-plant commitments, proposing to relocate two historic houses elsewhere in the city, limiting the maximum building coverage to 75,000 square feet, and offering to construct a concrete bus pullout pad to city GoDurham standards on South Austin Avenue. Applicants also agreed to preserve two existing on-site structures and to expand tree coverage and a small natural area in a corner of the site.

After public testimony and council questions, council members voted on the ordinance to rezone the property. The motion to approve the proposed rezoning did not pass (council recorded the motion as failed). The council subsequently adopted the required conformity/consistency statement for the record.

Members of the public, including several Durham Rescue Mission alumni who spoke in favor of the consolidated facility, described personal benefits from mission programs. Opponents said the proposed footprint and massing appeared too large at the site’s street edge and said the parcel’s place-type designation favors transit-oriented mixed-use development rather than large single-use facilities. The council vote preserved the existing zoning; proponents said they remain willing to work with staff and neighbors on alternatives.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Durham City Council August 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council voted down a rezoning petition to centralize Durham Rescue Mission services on a 3.52-acre site near East Main Street, citing inconsistency with the area’s transit-opportunity place type and concerns about missing residential uses.","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},6499883,"Developer withdraws Hayti corridor rezoning after months of negotiations; council accepts withdrawal",3002,7294000,10296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529258-96efdea062c8949e7b885d396b0df8a9&start=7294&end=10296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529258-96efdea062c8949e7b885d396b0df8a9/thumbnail_7294000.jpg","/articles/6499883/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Developer-withdraws-Hayti-corridor-rezoning-after-months-of-negotiations-council-accepts-withdrawal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499883-59c9ef0d924879d104678a3463330e4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157348&Signature=GP3rTtqcLg4Jt0hLKc2Da1QoEAIKQaeTqa9eBf179o0-2VTFB2HVEMo68yzb4yDypnlroZoMCZ0r4wcd-b~1esZ2yool3I6-by0IN1jZYsgfPSAx-N~~GNMgwkg1HkoeJDTQvO5FDaKkt9iokDRRShkFYXnX8fK4o5TGcUjWFjidCxy2T1vc1cgYEQSHSqIMvMlFbnQYF7rW3XtzzqftSHH0RWS5937wAJ9zm7SbVEvVgA96snoICRZXk64hBzKs-4lWZYL03r7aJ4HxchC0iSwl~Xv~GtgQwXoJ-zo7fj82GRv-WKxuuSkqyMMCTpkijd-zLflKLn1d-FAi3cIzTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An applicant seeking to rezone two parcels at 401 East Lakewood Avenue to Downtown Design Core (to allow greater building height) asked the Durham City Council to withdraw the rezoning petition, and the council voted 5–2 to accept the request.

Jamie Schwedler of Parker Poe, representing property owners Sterling Bay and Akron Group, presented a proposal to change the parcel zoning to Downtown Design Core to permit heights up to 300 feet. The firm said the rezoning would be consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan place type for downtown and listed a set of community benefits developed during three years of stakeholder outreach, including scholarship contributions, subsidized small-business retail, event parking for local institutions, a community gathering space, and a commitment to pursue signage recognizing Hayti’s history.

Facing vocal community opposition in public meetings, the applicant told the council it had negotiated with local stakeholders and offered a package of commitments the team estimated at roughly $2.3 million in value over a 10‑year horizon (scholarships, subsidized retail space at roughly 50% of market rent for 10 years, dedicated parking blocks for Saint Mark’s and Hayti Heritage Center, an escrow for blasting concerns, and funding for commemorative signage). After presenting those offers, the applicant asked to withdraw the application: “We respectfully request that the council allow us to withdraw this case,” the applicant said during the presentation.

Council members debated the request and whether the public should be allowed additional comment given the public hearings had been open since June. Following discussion the governing body voted to accept the applicant’s withdrawal; the vote to accept the withdrawal passed 5–2, with two members recorded as opposed. Councilmembers who opposed the withdrawal said they wanted the council to hear additional public comment and to render an explicit decision on the zoning petition.

Council also asked staff and community leaders to convene a focused community planning meeting for the Fayetteville Street/Hayti corridor to discuss near-term steps for the area and how city-directed corridor investments — including a previously approved $10 million allocation to a corridor CDC — will be used. The council indicated that if a new application is filed it would be subject to the city’s normal resubmittal rules; staff noted a withdrawn application would be subject to the UDO resubmittal timing provisions (a withdrawn application typically requires a six-month interval before an identical submission).","The applicant for a multi-acre rezoning at 401 East Lakewood Avenue asked council to withdraw the zoning map change after months of community engagement. The council voted 5–2 to accept the withdrawal and encouraged a community-led planning meeting to identify next steps for the Fayetteville Street/Hayti corridor.",{"_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},6499888,"Council approves draft 5-year consolidated plan and 2025 action plan; public comment period to conclude Aug. 11",597,5997000,6594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529258-96efdea062c8949e7b885d396b0df8a9&start=5997&end=6594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529258-96efdea062c8949e7b885d396b0df8a9/thumbnail_5997000.jpg","/articles/6499888/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-draft-5-year-consolidated-plan-and-2025-action-plan-public-comment-period-to-conclude-Aug-11","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499888-b26df46411c91944a95b5d0a574f23cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157348&Signature=i9EqSL23THrTynWU-iQMmTVX3NfbKReGydluKN08ecvSNDGwDovxA9-330ATteChSOrAu0Sq3maorUkI-G2fhN5ckemief8L5zMtJKzFE3O-wy2dcBhm~DiLkom9GztWDMjRfzmhmv-mgZta3HgXNE~kE9jbcvBZkINwBrZlHHGneMuJEtIyokFHtxTMKcMcmvDxcNmzXcOzG46WbjlOA6PsitvnHpzb~8GqVjVos9bulzHspc76RQ7DVNEfuq1Gk4~JpufwumwRORkPDiMElKYc9sAoj7vkWx4UXsvNeEV47Ex3nM8RpzO3bH0h7ZQ0sOrL~Bc75Q4VjkK9JAliIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Durham City Council unanimously authorized staff to submit the draft five-year consolidated plan (2025–2029), the 2025 annual action plan, and the citizen participation plan for review by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Housing and Neighborhood Services staff said the consolidated plan sets priorities for the city’s federal formula grants — Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) — for the five-year period beginning July 1, 2025. The annual action plan covers the first program year, July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

HUD’s 2025 entitlement notifications were included in the staff report: CDBG $1,936,725; HOME $977,088.20; ESG $176,018; and HOPWA $1,106,643. Staff explained those amounts and the draft allocation of funds into activities including rapid rehousing, tenant-based rental assistance, short-term rent/mortgage/utility assistance, supportive services, permanent housing placement, affordable rental and homeownership activities, and administration. Staff also noted a 30-day public comment period that began July 11 and was scheduled to close Aug. 11, with a planned HUD submission on Aug. 16.

A stakeholder, Dr. Haley Cunningham of the Coalition to End the HIV Epidemic in Durham, urged more timely HOPWA allocations, asked for inclusion of housing acquisition and development as eligible HOPWA activities in the five-year plan, and requested a seat at the HOPWA strategic planning table. Staff said comments from tonight’s hearing and written submissions will be incorporated into the final plan before submission to HUD.

Council voted to approve the draft plans for submission to HUD; staff will incorporate public comments received through the close of the comment period and file the plan via HUD’s IDIS system.","City Council voted unanimously to submit Durham’s 2025–2029 consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan to HUD. The plans set how CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA entitlement funds will be used in the coming year; the staff presentation included specific 2025 entitlement amounts.",{"_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},6499893,"City Council adopts code changes to end stormwater replacement fund following state law changes",306,5658000,5964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529258-96efdea062c8949e7b885d396b0df8a9&start=5658&end=5964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529258-96efdea062c8949e7b885d396b0df8a9/thumbnail_5658000.jpg","/articles/6499893/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/City-Council-adopts-code-changes-to-end-stormwater-replacement-fund-following-state-law-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499893-addf1ddc994a7fb11a06812104783d1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157348&Signature=mfGxfHpLIvUNjs~xW2EYfMbDGnTUq~K1qi8Mnz5ii9BxV7IrJG4alGaTiJZ6edTVsSSm658We-zyBj1QOdqPiyk2vys5tyylsJ7wken2v05GmRhET11v-NuT9VJZrLiK-R0NmzHu1yBp-ng-lNm331zrc~lHRSstWeMah-xVChd04gQN~l5gXNZ7sX51K8Fmm~5eFYTBioCwK7EMzrBqUZByNor~Tv2BHPZciOjnmxFaOdjAoxAVKupAvwA65iypDs7WeI5RahmBNlEb1IAAsxZNxS7MglwbKPuKNEJkPlFZAy-i1p-yRJLK8hm13r~tJbBjU39zxbi1Ttz2noY3jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Durham City Council adopted ordinances that revise city stormwater rules to comply with changes in state law that prohibit local governments from collecting or managing a stormwater facility replacement fund.

Planning staff told the council the fund — created in February 2008 as an insurance-style program to support long-term maintenance and repair of permitted stormwater control measures — must be discontinued in light of Session Law 2023-108, which amended North Carolina General Statute §160D-925. Staff also noted that any payments previously collected may be returned to payors upon request; the proposed code amendments include a new section providing for refunds of prior payments into the fund.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance amendments and the new refund provision. Staff said the changes revise Chapter 70, Articles 10 and 11 of Durham City Code, updating sections 70-742 through 70-743 and 70-750 through 70-753 to bring the city into statutory compliance.

City staff said the public hearing required by state law had been noticed and that the amendments are intended to align the city’s code with the statutory prohibition on locally managed stormwater replacement funds. The council took two related motions (one to amend the performance standards and one to adopt the new refund section), and both passed unanimously.","Council unanimously approved amendments to Durham City Code to discontinue the local stormwater facility replacement fund and add a refund provision after state law barred local governments from collecting or managing such funds.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6499898,"Council refers Cliff Street partial street-closing back to staff after connectivity concerns",0,5652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529258-96efdea062c8949e7b885d396b0df8a9&start=5652&end=5652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529258-96efdea062c8949e7b885d396b0df8a9/thumbnail_5652000.jpg","/articles/6499898/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-refers-Cliff-Street-partial-street-closing-back-to-staff-after-connectivity-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499898-79d7430c01dad7d12e8d9afdf83bd40f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157348&Signature=IlgQXoti~LoHcIbquYw1oosOHqRWsCCz4RudZzT0RIVUiPD7-dk~dFBQPJi-M9u191MTI6M6HhE-ZY9e4f4sDpgfn7RMzrYNftrh2A637u~dxxQ4O-1lz~Aj5GbpAQGFvDqchHQNDJ4jxCuw5GOMrIf7yvBQZPy3ehrD0n70WwLjZJOKWL3DutgpRfHHXRrOiGK1wJIFI8SURbOLqgLtfmC6d8-~WEc4hZWHQ~~4Y4crXbnQI4UanaRMHk~MEGMfsMOeHcCYO1Zvwt23iHofLmX2wcnPBgbzBQSpfASdsZ7rEmXCF-koCzGqxOrOggkUY~OHFp~tf1HW3lDDNER47g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposal to permanently close a 402-linear-foot portion of Cliff Street between Blunt Street and Rosedale Avenue was referred back to city staff for further analysis after planning staff and council members flagged a possible loss of public connectivity to the planned Rockwood Trail.

Planning staff told the council the segment proposed for closure is unimproved, heavily wooded and not maintained by the city. If approved, the 19,965-square-foot (0.46-acre) right-of-way would be recombined with the adjacent parcel at 1700 Cliff Street to create a roughly 1.5-acre lot intended for future development; the applicant says plans would include a single-family residence and flexibility for accessory dwelling units in the future.

The referral followed questions from council members about whether the right-of-way had been inspected as part of the city’s paper-streets review and whether the council could preserve a pedestrian easement for future trail connections. Beau Dobrzynski, assistant director in planning, said the paper-street inventory had not studied this particular stretch in depth but that the dedicated right-of-way “does appear to be an opportunity where the existing dedicated right-of-way would connect to a trail and provide additional connections.” The staff report also noted an advisory bike-pedestrian comment warning the closure “may limit access to future Rockwood Trail and thereby does not conform with the comprehensive plan, transportation policy 57.”

The applicant, Eric Hamilton, told council the segment terminates in heavily wooded land and does not provide frontage for existing lots; he argued the recombination would create a more buildable 150-by-400-foot lot with “far greater development flexibility.” Hamilton also said the planned Rockwood Trail would still be reachable from other nearby streets, and he said his property would not block trail access entirely.

After discussion the council voted to refer the matter back to staff for further coordination with the applicant and transportation planners, and to return the case to council on Oct. 20. The public hearing was left open so staff can report back; if the applicant wishes to alter the petition (for example, vacating a smaller portion of the right-of-way), staff said an amended petition could be reviewed on an expedited schedule.

The council’s referral was procedural rather than a determination on the closure’s merits; staff emphasized that the statutory basis for the street-closing petition is North Carolina General Statutes relating to dedicated rights-of-way and street closings.

Looking ahead, staff said it will analyze whether the closure could be adjusted to preserve pedestrian connectivity for a future Rockwood Trail alignment and will return with recommended language and a schedule for council consideration on Oct. 20.","A request to permanently close a 402-foot portion of Cliff Street and recombine the right-of-way with an adjacent parcel was sent back to staff for further analysis after participants raised concerns the closure could limit future trail connectivity. The public hearing remains open; council set an Oct. 20 follow-up.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council declines rezoning request for Durham Rescue Mission’s East Main site; project proponents pledge to keep working with neighbors

Developer withdraws Hayti corridor rezoning after months of negotiations; council accepts withdrawal

Council approves draft 5-year consolidated plan and 2025 action plan; public comment period to conclude Aug. 11

City Council adopts code changes to end stormwater replacement fund following state law changes

Council refers Cliff Street partial street-closing back to staff after connectivity concerns