Durham City Council Meeting - May 10, 2022: Proclamations, Annexation Debate, and Consent Actions
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Durham City Council Meeting - May 10, 2022
The Durham City Council convened on May 10, 2022, at 7:00 PM in City Hall Plaza. The meeting included ceremonial proclamations, announcements, a consent agenda, and three public hearings. The primary focus was a contentious vote on the Griffin Place annexation and rezoning, which passed 4-2 after extensive debate over infrastructure, housing affordability, and community impact.
Ceremonial Items
- National Drinking Water Week (May 1–7, 2022): Proclaimed by Mayor O'Neill. Robert Ford, Assistant Superintendent at Williams Water Treatment Plant, accepted and noted the plant’s water was named best tasting in North Carolina.
- Internal Audit Week (May 9, 2022): Proclaimed by Mayor Pro Tempore Middleton. Dr. Jermaine Brewington, Director of Audit Services, highlighted the department’s work and upcoming events including a keynote by State Auditor Beth Wood.
- Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (May 1–7, 2022): Proclaimed by Mayor Pro Tempore Middleton. Tika Dimson of Alliance Health accepted and stressed the importance of mental health acceptance.
Announcements
- Councilmember Williams announced that the Royal Ice Cream Sit-In activists will receive honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from NCCU.
- Mayor Pro Tempore Middleton and Councilmember Williams were elected to leadership positions on the North Carolina League of Municipalities board.
- Councilmember Caballero highlighted Bike Month and early voting (primary May 17). Councilmember Freeman noted Public Service Recognition Week and Small Business Appreciation Week.
- Mayor O'Neill announced plans for a deep dive on housing issues starting in fall 2022 and a visit to the Hayti community.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (6-0) including: approval of previous minutes, Human Relations Commission appointments, Building Permits and Inspections Performance Audit (March 2022), selection of applicants for the at-large council vacancy, appointments to the Civilian Police Review Board, City-County Planning Department FY23 Work Program, fuel surcharge for taxicab operators, Master Service Agreement with City CITI Inc., March 2022 Bid Report, refunding of bonds, and contract for PW Street Maintenance Repairs.
Public Hearings
Item 15: Closing of Newkirk Street and portions of May Street and Sanders Avenue
- Staff presented the request to close 589 feet of Sanders Avenue, 199 feet of Newkirk Street, and 214 feet of May Street to facilitate future development.
- Public comment: Neil Ghosh (Morningstar Law Group) spoke in favor, stating the rights-of-way are unimproved and not needed for access.
- Vote: Passed 5-1 (Freeman opposed).
Item 16: Closing of an unnamed alley off East Lawson Street
- Staff presented the request to close a 156-foot alley to allow NCCU to combine lots.
- No public comments.
- Vote: Passed 6-0.
Item 17: Consolidated Annexation of Griffin Place and Zoning Map Amendment
- Staff detailed a voluntary annexation and zoning change (from RR, RS-20, IL to PDR 5.578) for 83 acres to allow 462 dwelling units (168 single-family, 294 townhomes). Proffers included a $231,000 donation to the affordable housing fund, $25,000 to Glenn Elementary School, right-of-way dedication for Northern Durham Parkway, and traffic improvements.
- Proponents: Jared Edens and Fred Shekels (Ten Oaks Realty) emphasized housing need at price points ($200s–$300s), improved stormwater detention, on-site trails, and three traffic signals. They noted the Planning Commission voted 6–4 to recommend approval.
- Opponents: Seven residents (Pamela Andrews, Faith Neary, Joe Neary, Jason Badula, Wanda Allen, Mimi Kessler, Benita Green) raised concerns about inadequate roads, lack of sidewalks, overcrowded schools (Glenn Elementary at capacity), flood risks, train crossings, and insufficient public investment. Several argued the city should improve infrastructure before annexing more land.
- Council Debate:
- Councilmember Caballero supported the project, noting the city cannot control state roads and delaying development would worsen the housing crisis.
- Councilmember Freeman opposed, citing lack of a comprehensive infrastructure plan and the burden on existing residents.
- Mayor Pro Tempore Middleton argued the project provides needed workforce housing and that rejecting it would not solve broader issues.
- Councilmember Johnson supported, stressing the housing shortage and that this project offers relative affordability.
- Councilmember Williams expressed concerns about amenities but voted in favor.
- Mayor O'Neill voted no, emphasizing the need to balance development with existing community needs.
- Votes:
- Annexation ordinance: Passed 4-2 (Freeman and O'Neill opposed).
- Zoning amendment: Passed 4-2 (same).
- Consistency statement: Passed 4-2 (same).
Item 18: Limited Obligation Bond Series 2022
- Staff presented a $132 million interim financing arrangement for capital projects. No public comments.
- Votes: All four resolutions passed unanimously (6-0):
- Resolution authorizing negotiation of an installment contract.
- Authorization to file with the Local Government Commission.
- Declaration of intent to reimburse capital expenditures.
- Authorization for city manager to execute documents.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved 6-0.
- Street closing (Items 15 & 16) approved; Item 15 passed 5-1, Item 16 passed 6-0.
- Griffin Place annexation and zoning approved 4-2 after extensive debate. The project will add 462 housing units with proffers for affordable housing, school donation, and infrastructure improvements.
- Limited obligation bond resolutions approved 6-0, enabling up to $132 million in interim financing for capital projects.
- Mayor O'Neill announced a council-led deep dive on housing to begin in fall 2022.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, good evening, Durham, North Carolina. Welcome you to the city council meeting here in City Hall Plaza in our first floor council champ chambers on this, the second day of May twenty twenty two at seven PM. And we will call our meeting to order this evening, and we will begin with a moment of silent meditation. Thank you all. I now ask uh councilwoman Freeman if she will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I am present. Mayor Pro Tempore Middleton. I'm here. Councilmember Caballero here. Councilmember Freeman. Present. Councilmember Johnson. Here. Councilmember Williams. Here. Thank you. Thank you. We now will proceed to our ceremonial items, and we have three. Uh this evening. The first is will be the uh National Drinking Water Week, and I will present that one, followed by the internal audit week. Um Councilwoman Johnson will uh receive that one. Well, we'll we'll speak to that one and the final one will be from our Mayor Pro Tim, who will tell us about children's mental health awareness week. Maybe you want to figure a song, you know. So you know I can. The mics are not on, so we will not have that discussion tonight. All right. All right, so here we go. This proclamation. And this is for National Drinking Water Week. Whereas water is a basic and essential need of all living things, and whereas only tap water provides public health protection, fire protection, support for our economy, and the quality of life we enjoy. And whereas the city of Durham delivers a reliable supply of high quality, award-winning drinking water, and whereas, as stewards, we must advocate for water infrastructure maintenance and improvements to meet the needs of future generations. And whereas the city of Durham continues to be a leader in source water protection and recognizes the potential impacts of climate change on this precious natural resource. And whereas dedicated individuals and organizations have made significant contributions in developing, operating, and maintaining our water infrastructure and educating the public on the value of this resource. Now, therefore, I, mayor of the city of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim the week of May 1st through May 7th, 2022, as drinking water week in Durham, and hereby urge all residents to celebrate our staff that produces, manages, and maintains the city's water resources. Residents can also embrace waterwise habits to help make Durham a more sustainable community. Witness my hand and the corporate seal of the city of Durham. This is the second day of May 2022. Give it up for Durham. Drink your water we believe we have. Mr. I should know your name. It's presented to Mr. Robert Ford, who would come and receive it. Here it is. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mayor O'Neill, members of the City Council. I'm Robert Ford, Assistant Superintendent at the Williams Water Treatment Plant. It's an honor to be here today to accept this proclamation on behalf of my fellow operators in water supply and treatment and all employees of Durham's Department of Water Management. Our team works 24-7 365 days a year to ensure that every one of our customers has access to one of the most basic human needs, clean and safe drinking water.
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