Durham City Council Meeting - April 6, 2022

Note: The raw transcript indicates the meeting was held on April 4, 2022, but the user-provided date is April 6, 2022. This summary uses the user-provided date but notes the discrepancy.

The Durham City Council met on the evening of April 6, 2022, to address a range of items, including consent agenda approvals, a major discussion on Durham Bulls Athletic Park upgrades, and a lengthy public hearing on a proposed townhome development. The meeting included ceremonial proclamations and votes on several contracts and reports.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved 5-0, with the exception of Item 3 (VPN access and digital technology performance audit), which was pulled by a citizen but later approved separately without discussion.
• Items approved included: minutes, participatory budgeting steering committee appointments, budget amendments, annual report of Community Safety and Wellness Task Force, master service agreements, bus repower contract, construction contract for Eno River Force Main relocation, engineering services contract, February 2022 bid report, lease agreement for ambulance service substation, cultural and public art resolution, and traffic study contract.

Ceremonial Items

• National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 10-16, 2022): Proclamation presented by Councilmember Williams, recognizing dispatchers. A video from dispatcher Dwayne McIntyre was shown, and Ileano Sullivan accepted on behalf of the Durham Emergency Communications Center.
• National Community Development Week (April 11-15, 2022): Proclamation presented by Councilmember Freeman. Reginald Johnson, Director of Community Development, accepted and highlighted CDBG and HOME investments in affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and COVID-19 emergency rental assistance.

Discussion Items

• Item 13 – Durham Bulls Athletic Park Upgrades: Council discussed a $10 million capital upgrade to meet MLB facility standards. Staff provided additional information on lease obligations and economic impact. Councilmembers expressed support, noting the Bulls generate $33.3 million in direct visitor spending, $48.5 million total economic impact, $1.4 million in local taxes, and support over 25,000 jobs. The motion to approve passed 5-0.
• Item 19 – Bull City Townhomes Rezoning (Public Hearing): The applicant, Mark Bullock, sought to rezone 12.25 acres from Rural Residential (RR) to Residential Suburban Multifamily with a development plan (RSMD) for up to 147 townhomes. The Planning Commission had recommended denial (0-13). Following community opposition on density, traffic, safety, and environmental concerns, the hearing was reopened after a break. The applicant offered to reduce to 120 units (though the plan remained at 147 maximum), provide $7,000 to Durham Public Schools and $5,000 to the housing fund, and construct off-site sidewalks. Several opponents disputed the community meeting process, stating the developer did not attend and concerns were not addressed. After debate, the council voted 5-0 to deny the rezoning and adopted a consistency statement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Proponents of the townhome project: Steve Raj (contractor/realtor), Raquel Mahuto (Durham native), Marcella Smith (lifelong resident, builder), Albert Baptist, and Farra Said spoke in favor, citing the need for housing inventory, support for a local Black developer, and the inevitability of growth.
• Opponents of the townhome project: Thomas Lyons, Kellen Arney Johnson, Gabe Carillo, Charles Hansen, and Steve DeVries spoke against, citing inappropriate density in a single-family area, traffic dangers (including recent mailbox destruction), environmental impacts (Jordan Lake buffer, tree removal, sedimentation), inadequate community engagement, and lack of firm commitments. Speakers also noted that over 1,200 townhomes and 400 apartments are already under construction in the vicinity, worsening congestion.

Key Outcomes

• Bull City Townhomes rezoning denied (5-0). The council found the proposed RSMD zoning inconsistent with the surrounding single-family neighborhood and cited insufficient community engagement. The applicant may resubmit or develop under existing RR zoning.
• Durham Bulls Athletic Park upgrades approved (5-0). The city will proceed with up to $10 million in improvements to meet MLB requirements, as required under the 2014 lease.
• Consent agenda approved (5-0), with Item 3 pulled but later approved separately (5-0).
• Excused absences approved for Councilmember Caballero (April 6 and upcoming Wednesday) and for Councilmember Middleton (April 18 and 21), and for Councilmember Williams (April 7 work session). Discussions on the council vacancy and other items postponed to later dates.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:57 PM.