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Durham council schedules public hearing on rezoning 10 Cowell Drive after first reading
Summary
The council passed Ordinance #2026-03 on first reading to rezone 10 Cowell Drive from Residence A to Church Hill and scheduled a March 23 public hearing; neighbors raised traffic, sidewalk and neighborhood-character concerns during public comment.
Durham — The Durham Town Council on March 2 voted to move forward on a zoning change that would reclassify 10 Cowell Drive from Residence A to the Church Hill zoning district and scheduled a public hearing for March 23.
The vote to pass Ordinance #2026-03 on first reading followed public comment from multiple Cowell Drive residents who said the narrow, sidewalk-free street is not suited to higher-intensity commercial development. David Richman and Erin Sharp cited pedestrian-safety concerns for children and older residents and asked the council to require a traffic study before approving any zoning change that could allow commercial uses.
Planning Board Chair Paul Rasmussen and Town Planner Michael Behrendt noted that the parcel’s most likely future development would be a multi-unit building rather than a single-family workforce house because of economics; they warned that attempting to single out one lot for a workforce overlay could be considered spot zoning and may not be feasible. Rasmussen said a sidewalk would likely be required if the zoning changed, which could trigger road widening and other infrastructure work.
Owner and 10 Cowell Drive lot proprietor Jeff Berlin said he is open to a site walk with councilors. Councilors discussed whether a traffic study would be required during subsequent site-plan review; Behrendt said the Planning Board would request one if it deems it necessary.
Why it matters Rezoning a single lot in an established single-family pocket raises infrastructure and precedent questions: a change could require sidewalks and road-widening and might alter neighborhood character. Council members noted that even if a developer pays for improvements, the town assumes long-term maintenance costs.
Vote - Ordinance #2026-03 to rezone Map 108 Lot 27 (10 Cowell Drive) from RA to CH and schedule a public hearing: passed on first reading, roll call 8–1; public hearing set for March 23, 2026.
What’s next The council will hold a public hearing March 23; if the council advances a zoning change after the hearing, the Planning Board and town staff will evaluate site-plan and infrastructure needs, including whether a traffic or design study is warranted.
