Durham City Council Meeting – May 19, 2025

The Durham City Council met on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 7 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial proclamations, council announcements, approval of a consent agenda, a presentation of the proposed FY2025-26 budget and FY2026-31 Capital Improvement Plan, a resolution opposing House Bill 765, and public hearings on two zoning/annexation cases. The meeting adjourned at 10:12 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda (items 1–23) with the exception of item 4 (withdrawn by Councilmember Cook for recusal) and item 18 (pulled by a member of the public).
• Item 4: Agreement with Legal Aid of North Carolina for the DEAR program ($245,000) was later approved unanimously with Councilmember Cook abstaining.
• Item 18: Resolution conveying skate park amenities to The Scrap Exchange, Inc. was approved unanimously after public comment.
• Routine approvals included minutes, appointments, work programs, condemnation actions for sewer and pedestrian projects, contracts for aquatic center design and construction, golf course renovation, land acquisition, and various service contracts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Johnston (skateboarder, shop owner) spoke in support of donating ramps to Scrap Exchange, citing overcrowding at the current skate park and the need for more space. He thanked staff and requested future park projects include skate elements.
• Mary Fontana (resident) urged inclusion of safe infrastructure for Roxboro, Mangum, Duke, and Gregson streets in the budget, referencing 26 traffic deaths in 2024 and six on Roxboro alone in 2025.
• Gregory Williams (resident) echoed support for funding conversion of dangerous streets and for fare-free transit.
• Sarah D’Amato (Legal Aid) encouraged continued funding for eviction diversion and supportive services for unhoused residents.
• Chris Perlstein (Reckless Roxboro) emphasized the need to fund Vision Zero projects, noting the capital plan covers 25% of the time to reach zero deaths by 2045.
• Molly Flow (virtual) called for action on long-promised street improvements, urging inclusion of design funds for Roxboro/Mangum and Duke/Gregson.
• Andy Lowe (Center for New Liberalism) spoke in support of the Brier Creek Multifamily development, urging continued housing growth to meet projected population increases.

Discussion Items

FY2025-26 Proposed Budget and FY2026-31 CIP

• City Manager Ferguson presented his first proposed budget, emphasizing a property tax rate of 43.71 cents per $100 (a reduction of 15.91 cents, but 5.48 cents above the revenue-neutral rate of 38.23 cents). For a median home valued at $415,000, the city property tax bill would be ~$1,814.
• The general fund budget is $326.5 million (6.6% increase). Key investments:
  • Community Safety: Expansion of the HART program (17 new positions, including 9 crisis responders), $725,000 for eviction diversion, continued DEAR program.
  • Employee Support: Minimum livable wage raised to $21.90/hour (from $19.58), 1.45% market adjustment plus 4–6% pay-for-performance, 42 new positions across departments.
  • Infrastructure: $315.7 million for water/sewer, $25.7 million for stormwater, $7 million for parks lead remediation, $12 million total for five parks. Fare-free GoDurham transit continued.
  • Bond Projects: $85 million for three parks (including $43 million Aquatic Center at Merrick-Moore Park, $42 million Longmeadow-East End Park connection).
  • Streets/Sidewalks: $115 million bond to build 12 miles of new sidewalks, repair 20 miles, pave 13 miles of unpaved streets, and accelerate maintenance of 770 miles.
• Council members commended the manager, noting the budget balances competing priorities. Councilmember Freeman urged residents to use property tax relief programs and appeals.

Resolution in Opposition to House Bill 765

• Mayor Williams introduced the resolution opposing HB 765, which would reduce local government authority over development regulations. The council unanimously adopted the resolution, with Councilmember Baker thanking the mayor for bringing it forward.

Danube Lane Townhouses – Annexation and Zoning (Item 25)

• Staff presented a request to annex 5.04 acres at 3824 and 3910 Danube Lane, rezone from RS-20 to PDR 7.813 for up to 30 townhomes/duplexes.
• The applicant (Laura Holliman) committed to a $10,000 donation to the affordable housing fund, a greenway easement for Cub Creek Trail, and either a bus shelter or pad. Council discussed student generation formulas, open space, and design.
• Motion to approve annexation and utility extension passed 6–1 (Councilmember Baker voted no). The consistency statement and zoning map change were approved unanimously.

Brier Creek Multifamily – Zoning Map Change (Item 26)

• Staff presented a request to rezone 16.56 acres south of Andrews Chapel Road (partly in Wake County) from RR/RS-10 to PDR 25.000 for up to 408 units (383 apartments, 25 townhomes).
• The applicant (Worth Mills) offered 5% affordable units at 80% AMI for 30 years, $50,000 to the affordable housing fund, $16,500 to Durham Public Schools, a 10-foot multi-use path, off-site sidewalk connection, 100% native landscaping, and a 30-foot landscape buffer.
• Councilmembers debated the limitations of local control and the need for better urban design, but many supported the density and responsiveness to planning commission feedback.
• The zoning change, utility extension agreement, and consistency statement were each approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved with exceptions; item 4 and item 18 passed individually.
• Resolution opposing HB 765 adopted unanimously.
• Danube Lane Townhouses annexation and zoning approved (6–1 on annexation; unanimous on zoning and consistency).
• Brier Creek Multifamily zoning change approved unanimously.
• FY2025-26 proposed budget received; work sessions set for May 28–29, public hearing June 2, adoption expected shortly after.