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Council approves Pickett Road apartments over objections about sandy‑creek habitat and safety
Summary
Durham City Council voted 4–3 to rezone five Pickett Road parcels for a 140‑unit apartment project after the applicant added design and environmental commitments; opponents raised concerns about wetlands, flooding, bird habitat and pedestrian safety near Sandy Creek Park and Durham Academy.
Durham City Council on March 17 approved a rezoning to allow development of up to 140 apartment units at five parcels on Pickett Road, a site adjacent to Sandy Creek Park and the Sandy Creek Trail.
The applicant, represented by attorney Neil Ghosh of Morningstar Law Group, described changes made after an earlier hearing and a council continuance. New commitments include meeting Energy Star multifamily certification standards, providing elevators in multistory buildings, using full cut‑off outdoor lighting fixtures, treating windows to meet an American Bird Conservancy material threat factor rating measure, dedicating an easement for the right of way to connect to the Sandy Creek Trail, and a one‑time $300,000 payment toward a sidewalk/connection…
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