Durham City Council Regular Meeting - January 17, 2024
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Durham City Council Regular Meeting - January 17, 2024
Mayor Pro Tem Middleton called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM on January 16, 2024 (as stated in the transcript, though the instruction specifies January 17, 2024). Mayor Williams was absent in Washington, D.C. The council swore in new member Chelsea Cook to fill the Ward 3 seat. A proclamation was read declaring January 2024 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, presented to Kathy Nunez of the Bridge International. Councilmember Baker was excused from the Thursday work session by a 6–0 vote.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda (items 1–22 except those designated as public hearings) was adopted unanimously (6–0). Items included approval of minutes, appointments, contracts for shelter services, fire trucks, road improvements, pavement management, traffic signals, and more. No items were pulled.
Discussion Items
- Item 20 – Text Amendment: Tier Quarry Watershed Overlay (TC230003): Staff (Aaron King, Planning; Sid Miller, Water Management) presented a joint presentation on Durham's water supply and the need for a new intake on the Eno River to fill the Tier Quarry. The amendment creates a new Eno River District A2 (EA2) critical watershed overlay within a half-mile of the intake, with regulations identical to the existing EA district. Councilmember Freeman asked about demand projections accounting for future growth, including Research Triangle Park. Councilmember Baker asked about nonconformities; staff explained existing lots may continue under old rules until redevelopment. The public hearing yielded no speakers. The council adopted the text amendment ordinance and a consistency statement, both unanimously (6–0).
- Item 21 – Zoning Map Change: Tier Quarry Watershed Overlay (Z230030): Application to apply the new EA2 overlay to specific parcels. Councilmember Freeman asked about vibration monitoring during the boring of a shaft from the Eno River to the quarry; staff confirmed contractors will install monitoring and be liable. No public speakers. The council adopted the map change ordinance and consistency statement, both unanimously (6–0).
- Item 22 – Zoning Map Change: Cortez Drive Townhouses (Z2200040): Staff presented a proposal to rezone 46.98 acres from Residential Suburban 20 to Plan Development Residential 6.003 to allow up to 282 townhouse units. The Planning Commission recommended denial (8–4) on June 13, 2023. The applicant had previously requested a continuance from the November 6, 2023 meeting. After staff noted that the February 5, 2024 council agenda had no public hearings currently scheduled, the applicant (Mr. Ghosh) asked for another continuance to allow time to meet with new Councilmember Cook. The council agreed to keep the public hearing open until February 5, 2024.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda adopted: 6–0.
- Item 20 adopted: Text amendment ordinance passed 6–0; consistency statement passed 6–0.
- Item 21 adopted: Zoning map change ordinance passed 6–0; consistency statement passed 6–0.
- Item 22 continued: Public hearing held open; continuance granted to February 5, 2024.
- Councilmember Baker excused: from the Thursday work session, 6–0.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. It's January 16th. It is seven o'clock PM. I want to now officially call this meeting of the Durham City Council to order for purposes of faithfully executing the business of the people of Durham. Good evening to all of you in chamber, to my honorable colleagues, to those who are watching on whatever platform you may be watching. Thank you for joining us on this holiday uh schedule night or Tuesday night meeting. Madam Clerk, would you please call the No, no, don't do that. Don't do that. Don't do that. That's called the order. I'm gonna ask now, uh, remembering that we are uh still uh enjoying echoes of the MLK celebration from yesterday to engage in a moment of silent meditation. Thank you. At this time, I'm going to ask Councilmember Freeman to please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. It's our practice to stand and salute the flag. Thank you so much. I should have said at the top of the uh hour that uh Mayor Williams is honor is not here. He is in Washington, uh DC, visiting with the president along with other mayors uh from around the country, so in accordance to our rules and our charter and state law. I'll be assuming the gavel tonight uh as Mayor Pro Tem uh in this meeting. Pray for all of us. I want to thank you all for for being here. Today is a very special day. Uh earlier today, the council uh in keeping fidelity with our charge as a council by our charter uh voted to fill the Ward 3 seat on the day. And we are pleased to announce that the council member designate is in the room tonight with family and friends and guests. Uh and before we call the roll, uh, we're going to take care of the matter of swearing the council member designate cook in, uh, and then she will assume her seat. I will invite her to assume her seat, uh, and then we will have a full roll, and the circle will be complete. We will be uh full at seven. I want to welcome uh council member designate cook uh to the chamber and her family uh and thank her for being here. Councilmember Design, are you ready to take the oath of office? I invite you to the podium along with your friends and family and supporters, whoever wants to stand around you as your village. Great. Okay. You're gonna say I and insert your name. I Chelsea Cook, a little bit closer. Have read, understand, have read and understand, and subscribe to the code of ethics and subscribe to the code of ethics of the city of Durham of the City of Durham. And do hereby solemnly and do hereby solemnly affirm, affirm that I will support and maintain that I will support and maintain the Constitution and Laws of the United States. Constitution and laws of the United States. And the Constitution and Laws of North Carolina and the Constitution and Laws of North Carolina. Not inconsistent therewith, not inconsistent therewith. And that I will faithfully and impartially, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of my office, discharge the duties of my office as a member of the Durham City Council ward three seat. As a member of the Durham City Council of Ward 3C. So help me. So help me. Okay. Councilmember Cook, on behalf of his honor, the mayor of the entire city, congratulations. I invite you to take your seat on a daisy. Madam Clerk, would you now please call the role? Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Williams has requested an excuse to absence, and it was granted.
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