[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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],{"_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",6478623,"mediaKeyId","5708660-4974c95b4caa9810322cf0e4a6ce6c7e","parentId",5708660,"title","Council approves annexation and zoning for 22.54-acre Courtyards at Oak Grove development","audioSeconds",3324,"startMs",4891000,"endMs",8215000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708660-4974c95b4caa9810322cf0e4a6ce6c7e&start=4891&end=8215","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708660-4974c95b4caa9810322cf0e4a6ce6c7e/thumbnail_4891000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478623/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-annexation-and-zoning-for-2254-acre-Courtyards-at-Oak-Grove-development","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478623-d25eda0ff98569d617ac2084d44f386a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113082&Signature=EokyCkE2wLew7EsvydfIoHl3kjYD0OmPfY6McL0KrnE1ezNBGR4ZrxKLCXVAeEN5bHnI~DJ-YI6yj6i1i97J25jmFes9BCQNI7qfyLrEZmR0BOS2q0wrl7an-LDYYhxpIwpBOPg3fK4MLU9j4o0kR-eqenON2iJMdfrXiT~2Q-7WY0rFbs5godxybQzoW1tf33d1Uw2kJjz2TFQepSxk~GacPaZ2GQoHXXQCZo6i~kAM~m9SKVq4RwEVZ-SgFWzI1HXnVGMnixaHull0XOUrfvfxH~xZBquMSpRH3N4Y-dOBHkuscRfCW3WW1gWu-c2LjoEmIV9TICgcH0-VphHpfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Durham","date","2025-09-03T03:52:21Z","article","Durham City Council voted to annex and rezone 22.54 acres at Doc Nichols Road — labeled the Courtyards at Oak Grove — from County residential-rural to Planned Development Residential (PDR 2.988) to allow up to 67 single-family and townhouse units. Planning staff said the request is consistent with the city’s place type map and recommended approval; the planning commission had recommended approval.

During public comment neighbors raised concerns about cumulative development in the area, stormwater runoff into Lick Creek and Falls Lake, tree canopy loss and school and fire-service capacity. Several speakers asked for stronger environmental commitments, including larger, undisturbed stream buffers, reductions in impervious surface and retention of mature canopy.

The applicant’s representative, citing the site’s low position in the basin, said the project will detain the 1-, 2- and 10-year storms and proposed a suite of stormwater control measures. After public comment the applicant committed to reduce maximum impervious surface from 70% (the originally proposed cap) to 50% on the site and confirmed that required stream buffers under state and local rules would be maintained; some buffer plantings will be added where existing opacity is insufficient.

Council members asked whether the project’s annexation would create a small unattached “doughnut” parcel across Doc Nichols Road; staff explained the annexation would leave one small parcel on the east side of Doc Nichols outside the city because that owner declined to join the annexation.

Council voted to adopt the annexation ordinance and the zoning ordinance and approved the required consistency statement under North Carolina law. Conditions and commitments noted in the development plan — including the reduced impervious maximum — will be enforced at site plan review.

The ordinances authorize a utility extension agreement with the applicant and require site plan-level stormwater and buffer work to meet Durham and state rules.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Durham City Council September 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Durham City Council approved annexation and rezoning of 22.54 acres on Doc Nichols Road, allowing the Courtyards at Oak Grove development to proceed with up to 67 units under a Planned Development Residential district.","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},6478628,"Durham City Council adopts 'Fourth Amendment workplace' resolution after public testimony",1684,3024000,4708000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708660-4974c95b4caa9810322cf0e4a6ce6c7e&start=3024&end=4708","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708660-4974c95b4caa9810322cf0e4a6ce6c7e/thumbnail_3024000.jpg","/articles/6478628/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Durham-City-Council-adopts-Fourth-Amendment-workplace-resolution-after-public-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478628-55d14d66c9ed4492d04e0cd775542b7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113082&Signature=TtUgzZogI-2-qIJq6XLkQhXmxtPdLBHYxBM2qvZlRDLQbGQodL1QecjZtMJZodbFg70I0WDMPIXFSL8~zrJ3qIvEzsIl93kVt14rw-m2arkycyKsey-ICfH8Uc5-Vcf8BfPghGz~Q2E6jFEuzUvMh6rL5vN-Frm7fEPGEwOsdSlHZ5u8MxlVK0U3cyLtfeNzoWiDhZCqFMhRiqoaMWyU6xn-qRbCu5eGRfxalFq0NwU-xVULz2bDE5AoD9u0M7jAJzhIwamEj-euYLqJl5RU27pvlEVfBLF3OwtaTqMrZcy2yx4Ao6MunFFLEhBDLs93Sn8t6pi0DAcrZQoQ2EQkyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution declaring City of Durham workplaces part of a Fourth Amendment workplace effort and directing the city manager to \"direct staff to uphold the Fourth Amendment at their workplace and city agencies and report back to council any needs or barriers to effective training.\" The resolution passed after several minutes of council remarks and more than a dozen public comments urging the city to act.

Supporters from Durham CAN, Siembra NC and the Durham Workers Rights Commission told the council the resolution would help immigrant and nonwhite residents who face heightened risk of immigration enforcement in workplaces. Elise Ballen, chair of the Durham Workers Rights Commission, told the council, “We will all be safer the more workplaces in the city are Fourth Amendment workplaces.”

The measure, introduced by Council Member J. Caballero, affirms that the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures and cites recent incidents of warrantless workplace actions by federal immigration agents as a reason for local action. The resolution encourages the city manager to direct training for city employees and invites private workplaces and agencies to join the effort.

During public comment, speakers described fear among immigrant families and asked the city to make training and language-accessible information available. Several speakers asked that the city commit to specific training for frontline staff and to develop clear procedures for employees who encounter federal agents.

Council members praised the community organizations that brought the resolution forward and highlighted the bilingual presentation of the proclamation and the council’s ability to stream meetings in multiple languages. After debate and public comment the council moved, seconded and voted; the motion passed unanimously.

The resolution is advisory: it directs internal city training and asks city workplaces to join the initiative. It does not create a new municipal ordinance or change law governing federal agencies. The text directs staff to report back to council on implementation needs and barriers.","Durham City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution designating city workplaces as part of a “Fourth Amendment workplace” effort and asking the city manager to direct staff training to protect employees and residents from warrantless workplace searches.",{"_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},6478613,"Votes at a glance: key outcomes from tonight’s Durham City Council meeting",13597,2808000,16405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708660-4974c95b4caa9810322cf0e4a6ce6c7e&start=2808&end=16405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708660-4974c95b4caa9810322cf0e4a6ce6c7e/thumbnail_2808000.jpg","/articles/6478613/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-key-outcomes-from-tonights-Durham-City-Council-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478613-47f5361e6ccc56571105815b7be01e0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113082&Signature=WX1nrth4IQu7Of4xvOZjtBWfUI8SizLjT~4zQZ0YOudm4p3llBaTmsfUbkG4L7T1H~jykC~9dZelZvCeqteSGEbBlLESg-oXTXvSQJ9TqXkV4fOqeWWRiwfB0AZlsHG~U8HScUOLcl-6vJzYmkYIFU6mbkWUkWr2YIjrv4cRT~En05ulhucUqTmLw39bge4t~j9lGp~BfYXGq83oBZ33o5dflzwM~1lADFF7NfWv8Zt6XJWAwDHSaO8WWCuO53iPkJHd8QpweyBFtjfya3~e4Niq~pA2e6uZ87~h--ZnM7BaHw0cBVpJfuMPqhEpN1AJcRspxqZsGmWDjUHR3vHB~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Council completed a full consent agenda and several notable items during the meeting. Key actions with formal votes included:

East Durham water, sewer and stormwater replacement (Agenda item 20)
- Council awarded a construction contract to Moffett Pipe, Inc. for the East Durham Water Sewer and Stormwater Replacement Phase 1A project in an amount not to exceed $10,648,571.40 and established contingency funding to allow a total contract not to exceed $11,757,549.40. The motion and amendments passed unanimously.

Appointments and administrative items (consent agenda)
- The council approved multiple appointments including the Durham Planning Commission appointment (Juan P. Montes) and various board and commission appointments, and authorized contracts for services such as electronic payment processing and urban forestry projects funded through USDA grants.

Annexation and zoning votes
- Courtyards at Oak Grove (22.54 acres): Annexation and rezoning to Planned Development Residential (PDR 2.988) were adopted; council adopted the required consistency statement. (Motion passed unanimously.)
- Durham Gateway at Briar Creek (≈308 acres): Council adopted annexation and split zoning (Industrial Light District and PDR 10.649) and the required consistency statement after extended public hearing; vote passed (4–2), with Council Members Baker and Cook voting no.

Other items
- The council adopted a resolution designating city workplaces as Fourth Amendment workplaces (unanimous). Many consent items (contracts, grant ordinances and professional-service agreements) were approved as part of the consent agenda.

Council recorded votes on the major items during the meeting; staff will process contract documents, utility agreements and site‑plan reviews consistent with council approvals.","At its meeting the Durham City Council approved a consent agenda of routine appointments and contracts, awarded a water/sewer/stormwater replacement contract, and passed two annexation and rezoning items along with a workplace rights resolution. Key votes included authorization of a $10.65 million construction contract for East Durham water/sewer",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":92,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478618,"Council approves Durham Gateway at Briar Creek annexation and large mixed‑use rezoning after debate",7212,9193000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708660-4974c95b4caa9810322cf0e4a6ce6c7e&start=9193&end=16405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708660-4974c95b4caa9810322cf0e4a6ce6c7e/thumbnail_9193000.jpg","/articles/6478618/Durham-City/Durham-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-Durham-Gateway-at-Briar-Creek-annexation-and-large-mixeduse-rezoning-after-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478618-a0da45c9ebb7445a603490349b2226e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113082&Signature=G1T0WVNMiERqRdrs5rX3PV2lspl5N2wKpBPEfMrhbLtCGsCkCShie~mGKo8eOtqhpTP69F6kwpxqWAuyyNL147~Qlxi6YgZeIrzEQ7ZAiqz2Yb2GE7Bpr0eeGn8UNDQKItzAIm87U42L4ehQEvKWfNdEAGAZQGUDZtiKhB0z5yDtOQMYKs2JQQv3klaqq3DbZKeK8JJXI3SMbYQAw7I-Ns0WuXNwwFiQOEsUjVEmxD1UWLPiBIqsiA9UI3ykRg~KV~Qvove9yafEqDPUySWzOoZnySUFCypeiYelheAQr-U4jxZ0x0Xi2ZLXTNsKMbfihiS-fzzyG0y5f6gJJsRnaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durham City Council approved a large annexation and rezoning for the Durham Gateway at Briar Creek project, a privately funded mixed‑use development proposed on roughly 308 acres along U.S. 70 near the Durham–Wake county line. The project drew an extended public hearing, with opponents urging stronger environmental protections, more robust infrastructure and greater certainty for affordable housing, and proponents stressing the scale of private infrastructure and job creation the applicant promised.

The applicant, represented by Jamie Schwadler of Parker Poe and development teams from Beacon Partners, sought a split zoning: Industrial Light District (ILD) along the U.S. 70 frontage and Planned Development Residential (PDR 10.649) for the remainder. Commitments presented to council include up to 1,200,000 square feet of research and development/industrial uses, up to 1,750 dwelling units (with 175 income‑restricted units set aside on 7 acres and a $1,000,000 donation to the city’s dedicated housing fund), construction of major road connections including a Northern Durham Parkway link and ACC Boulevard extension, enhanced stormwater measures (100‑foot stream buffers within the PDR area and treatment to the 100‑year storm in PDR, 50‑year in the ILD), at least two green stormwater infrastructure measures and at least two acres of publicly accessible open space in environmentally sensitive areas.

Speakers opposed to the project — neighbors, environmental advocates and emergency‑services activists — raised concerns about increased impervious surface, sediment runoff into Lick and Briar creeks and Falls Lake, blasting impacts, school and emergency services capacity, and the timing of state DOT improvements to U.S. 70. Several speakers asked the council to require undisturbed buffers, temporary‑basin monitoring and limits on mass grading or blasting. Other speakers, including neighborhood coalition leaders, said they’d met repeatedly with the applicant and welcomed many of the new commitments the developer offered between the planning commission hearing and council.

Applicant representatives said the project will provide about $39.5 million in privately funded utility and road infrastructure and generate property‑tax revenue and jobs that the city would not get from piecemeal development. They said the developer would donate seven acres for affordable housing (valued at $2.5 million) and add a $1 million gap‑funding donation to help deliver the 175 income‑restricted units at 80% AMI for 30 years.

Council discussion focused on the project’s scale, infrastructure sequencing, transit connections and precedent-setting aspects of the affordable‑housing package. Council Member Baker and Council Member Cook voted no; the ordinance passed with the remainder of the council voting yes. Council also adopted the required consistency statement under state law.

The zoning and annexation approvals allow the applicant to proceed to site plan; staff and the developer said detailed stormwater designs, DEQ permitting for impacts to waters of the state and final park/greenway layouts will be addressed in the site‑plan and permitting stages.","After hours of testimony and extended debate, Durham City Council approved annexation and rezoning of roughly 308 acres at Durham Gateway at Briar Creek. The project includes up to 1,750 dwelling units, 1.2 million square feet of research/industrial space and commitments including 175 income‑restricted units (reserved land) and $1 million to the","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves annexation and zoning for 22.54-acre Courtyards at Oak Grove development

Durham City Council adopts 'Fourth Amendment workplace' resolution after public testimony

Votes at a glance: key outcomes from tonight’s Durham City Council meeting

Council approves Durham Gateway at Briar Creek annexation and large mixed‑use rezoning after debate