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Council annexes 2613 Carpenter Road for 98-townhome plan, with 5% affordable set‑aside and greenway commitments
Summary
The council approved annexation, utility extension and initial zoning for a 18.29-acre property at 2613 Carpenter Road to allow a 98-unit townhome development with a 5% affordable set‑aside and proffers to donate a greenway corridor and add a 10‑foot multi‑use path.
Durham City Council voted unanimously to annex 2613 Carpenter Road into city limits and to rezoned the property to Planned Development Residential (PDR 5.587) to allow up to 98 townhome units.
The applicant (represented by Thomas H. Johnson Jr. of Williams Mullen) told the council the project includes a 5% affordable set‑aside and that the building and parking footprint was sited outside the mapped floodplain. As part of the approval, the applicant committed to: a 10‑foot multi‑use path along Carpenter Road, donating the corridor necessary for a future greenway likely along an abandoned railroad right‑of‑way to the east of the site, and a 50‑foot frontage buffer. Staff said open space and environmental protections will emphasize preserving the most environmentally sensitive portion of the site.
The Planning Commission had recommended approval 9–1. After a public hearing with five speakers who raised concerns about connectivity, tree canopy, floodplain impacts and the need for a wider mix of housing types in the area, council members pressed staff and the applicant on proffer language. The council voted 5–0 to adopt the annexation ordinance, approve the utility extension agreement with SVK Carpenter Road LLC, and rezone the property to PDR 5.587; they also adopted the required consistency statement under North Carolina General Statute Section 160D‑605.
Councilmember Baker asked the applicant to commit to constructing a greenway trail within the dedicated easement; the applicant agreed to consider and then formalize that commitment after checking with the property owner. Councilmembers noted the property contains Panther Creek and other sensitive features and discussed tree‑save and floodplain protections in the proposed plan.
Next steps: staff will finalize proffer language with the applicant for the council record and the developer will work with the city on timing and design of the multi‑use path and greenway corridor.
