Durham council annexes Howard property, approves planned residential development after close 4-3 vote

The Durham City Council voted 4-3 on Wednesday evening to annex 86.41 acres known as the Howard property into the city, grant initial Planned Development Residential (PDR 5.783) zoning and authorize a utility extension agreement with Highway 98 East Durham LLC, clearing the way for up to 499 residential units and up to 12,000 square feet of nonresidential space.

The annexation ordinance and the zoning ordinance passed after lengthy public comment from nearby residents, environmental groups and the project team. Mayor Leonardo Williams, Mayor Pro Tem Middleton, Council member Caballero and Council member Rist voted in favor. Council member Baker, Council member Cook and Council member Freeman voted against the measures.

Supporters, including the property family and the applicant’s design team, said the proposal responds to the Durham Comprehensive Plan’s place-type guidance for a mixed-use neighborhood and includes commitments intended to reduce environmental and traffic impacts. Dan Jewell of Thomas & Hutton, the applicant’s representative, told council the team had reduced the project from an earlier 650-unit concept to 499 units after neighborhood input and committed to off-site intersection improvements. "We are going to commit to a higher level of stormwater management — we're gonna manage to the 25‑year storm rather than the 10," Jewell said, adding the developer would construct the greenway shown in the city's plan and provide tree-preservation buffers along the stream…