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Resident objects to proposed right-of-way taking for Murray Road bike‑pedestrian project; city says negotiations ongoing
Summary
A Durham resident told council the city’s planned bike‑and‑pedestrian improvements would reduce driveway access at their home and said the city’s initial offer was inadequate; city staff said negotiations and appraisal work are ongoing and legal counsel is engaged.
A Durham homeowner spoke at the council meeting to object to a planned permanent and temporary right‑of‑way taking related to a bike‑and‑pedestrian improvements project on Murray (Morning) Road, saying the planned design would leave only room for a single parked car and create unsafe egress from the driveway.
The resident said the city’s initial acquisition offer appeared low — “they offered 15,000 dollars” — and that the family would be unable to live in, or later sell, the three‑bedroom house if the driveway could accommodate only one car. The resident said the family had received limited direct negotiation and asked the council to renegotiate compensation and design.
City response Tara Nichols, identified as a senior real estate officer in the city’s General Services department, told the council the city is still negotiating and that the city’s legal office has been in contact with the property owner’s attorney. Nichols said the city has not finalized all details and that condemnation (eminent domain) would be litigated only if negotiations failed.
Josh Barrett, engineering manager in Public Works, said the project follows North Carolina Department of Transportation standards for the state road and that the city tries to minimize property impacts early in project design. An appraisal official said the city used the tax‑valued figures current at project initiation and that updated reassessments can factor into negotiations.
Why it matters The homeowner said the proposed acquisition would materially reduce the property’s usability and marketability. Councilmembers and staff described standard negotiation processes, appraisal steps and the city’s preference to avoid condemnation when possible.
Next steps City staff said negotiations are ongoing and that the city’s legal team and the owner’s counsel have been involved in discussions. No formal council action was recorded on this item in the provided transcript.
