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Council approves rezoning for Methodist Street townhouses; owner offers $5,000 donation to schools
Summary
The council voted 6-1 to rezone two parcels at 2403 and 2405 S. Miami Blvd to allow up to 18 townhouses. The applicant will change the place type to apartment and townhouse neighborhood. The owner pledged a $5,000 donation to Durham Public Schools; the developer said one unit of affordability would be difficult for a project of this size.
The Durham City Council on June 24 approved a rezoning that allows up to 18 townhouses on two parcels at 2403 and 2405 South Miami Boulevard. The vote on the planned development residential designation (PDR 15.126) passed 6-1, with Council member Wrist voting no.
Staff and the applicant told the council the proposed zoning is inconsistent with the site’s current neighborhood-services place type and that, if approved, staff recommends redesignating the place type as apartment and townhouse neighborhood. The planning department reported unanimous approval by the planning commission.
Developer, owner and community commitments Applicant Vince Defritas of Silver Developers LLC said the firm is new to multi-unit rezoning cases in Durham but has built homes in the Triangle. The property owner (identified in the meeting as Mr. Singh) attended and told council he could donate $5,000 to Durham Public Schools. Mr. Singh said, “I can donate $5,000 for your school. That's I can afford.”
Council questions and affordable-housing discussion Council members pressed the applicant about affordable housing, transit amenities and whether a bus pad or shelter could be included. Defritas said a small, 15-unit-scale project would not be able to absorb the additional cost of adding a transit shelter as a proffer. Several councilors explained the city has been seeing roughly 5% of units offered as long-term affordable units on rezonings; on a small project that would amount to one unit, which the applicant said he would need to discuss with the owner.
Votes and next steps - Motion: Adopt ordinance to rezone the property from Commercial Neighborhood to Planned Development Residential 15.126 and change the place type to apartment and townhouse neighborhood if approved. - Outcome: Motion passed 6–1 (Council member Wrist voted no).
The applicant will return for subsequent permitting and design steps that will specify unit sizes, materials and price points. Councilors encouraged the owner and applicant to continue conversations about affordability and community benefits during later phases.
