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Council unanimously approves Creekside rezoning after applicant increases open space, commits to affordability and transit coordination
Summary
The council unanimously approved the Creekside Mixed Use rezoning (planned development residential 8.346) after the applicant added commitments including a minimum 2-acre public open space, a $100,000 park donation (refined during deliberation), a minimum 9,500 sq ft of commercial, and affordability set-asides for apartments and townhomes.
Durham City Council unanimously authorized a utility extension agreement and adopted rezoning ordinances for the Creekside Mixed Use project on Feb. 16 after the applicant added and clarified multiple proffers.
Staff described the rezoning request as a plan development to allow up to 630 total units on about 75.5 acres, including a minimum of 220 apartment units and 200 townhomes. The applicant and owners committed during the hearing to measures intended to respond to neighborhood concerns:
- Increase public open space dedication to at least 2 acres with frontage on Andrew Avenue and the option for city acceptance; the applicant also pledged a one-time donation to support park development (applicant and Parks staff discussed $50,000 initially and later refined a proposal to $100,000 earmarked for that park via the Parks Foundation). - A minimum of 8% of apartment units will be affordable (60% AMI as defined by the UDO) and 3% of townhomes will be income-restricted at 80% AMI for 30 years; the applicant offered an additional 2% of for-sale units at 100% AMI to expand tenure balance. - Committed pedestrian-focused design for commercial uses (fronting public right-of-way, minimum 12-foot sidewalks and street trees) and a bus pullout/shelter subject to agency coordination. - Enhanced design commitments: Energy Star for multifamily apartments, increased tree protection and an additional acre of tree coverage on-site.
Public commenters were split: some neighborhood speakers opposed the project, citing traffic and safety data; others supported the mix of housing types and said it aligned with the city's place-type and updated UDO direction. The applicant said consolidating multiple parcels into a coordinated plan improved circulation and would generate additional access options to US 70 and relieve some local choke points.
Why it matters: The rezoning adds hundreds of housing units and a mix of product types aligned with the city's vision for mixed-use corridors. Commitments to affordability, open space and pedestrian-oriented commercial design were central to council support.
What happens next: The developer will move to final site plans where TIAs, park design, and the exact timing of affordable units, water/sewer upgrades, and impact-fee uses will be determined; the approvals are conditional on the applicant meeting the proffered commitments.
