Durham City Council Meeting - August 4, 2025

The Durham City Council met on August 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included proclamations, consent agenda approval, and public hearings on a street closing, two zoning map changes, stormwater code amendments, and the Five-Year Consolidated Plan. Key outcomes included the withdrawal of the 401 East Lakewood Avenue rezoning (item 26) and denial of the Durham Rescue Mission rezoning (item 27).

Ceremonial Items

• Mayor Williams proclaimed August 2025 as "Give It To The People Blk Biz Month" to promote Black-owned businesses.
• Councilmember Caballero proclaimed August 2025 as "National Emergency Management Awareness Month."

Announcements by Council

• Councilmembers shared updates on community events, flood response in northern Durham, and condolences for recent deaths. Councilmember Middleton thanked the Durham Police Department and HEART program for their support after his nephew's passing.
• Mayor Williams announced that the SBA and emergency management staff are at North Regional Library to assist flood-affected residents. He also reported a 26% reduction in crime and noted the city's presentation on public safety innovation in Albuquerque.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously with items 1 (Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities) and 5 (Parks and Recreation Revenue Performance Audit) pulled for separate discussion.
• Item 1 (Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities): Speaker Victoria Peterson requested the city add programs for children with autism in parks and recreation, noting 15,000 children in Durham Public Schools with IEPs. She advocated for hiring staff with autism expertise.
• Item 5 (Parks and Recreation Revenue Performance Audit): Speaker Zay raised concerns about lead contamination in parks, disputing claims that lead has been fully removed.
• The consent agenda was then approved as amended.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cliff Street Partial Closing (Item 25): Applicant Eric Hamilton, a resident, requested closure of a 402-foot portion of unused right-of-way to combine with his adjacent lot for a future single-family home. He argued the closure would not impede the proposed Rockwood Trail, as other access points exist.
• Zoning Map Change – 401 East Lakewood Avenue (Item 26): The applicant (Jamie Schwadler of Parker Poe) requested a change to Downtown Design Core for a 9.65-acre site to allow up to 300-foot heights. The applicant listed community benefits totaling $2.3 million over 10 years, including scholarships, affordable retail, free parking, and stormwater rerouting. However, after speaking, the applicant requested to withdraw the case. Council voted 5-2 to allow withdrawal (Councilmembers Baker and Freeman opposed).
• Zoning Map Change – Durham Rescue Mission East Main Street (Item 27): Supporters (including program graduates William Rouse and Darrington Cherry) shared personal stories of life transformation. Opponents (e.g., Adil Ortiz, Mimi Kessler, Chloe Palanchar) argued the design is a "big box" inconsistent with the Transit Opportunity Area designation, lack of binding architectural commitments, and poor neighbor history.
• Stormwater Code Amendments (Item 28): No public speakers.
• Five-Year Consolidated Plan (Item 29): Dr. Haley Cunningham, co-chair of the Coalition to End the HIV Epidemic in Durham, requested a seat at the table for HOPWA strategic planning and noted incorrect data in the draft plan (zero HIV cases reported).

Discussion Items

• Item 26 (401 East Lakewood Avenue): After the applicant's withdrawal request, council debated whether to hear public comments. Mayor Williams and others noted that with no case, a public hearing was not appropriate. The motion to allow withdrawal passed 5-2.
• Item 27 (Durham Rescue Mission): Council discussed the proposed rezoning to Industrial Light with a development plan. Staff noted the applicant added conditions (e.g., 35-foot height limit, bus pad, tree coverage). Councilmember Rist expressed concern about downzoning a Transit Opportunity Area. Councilmember Freeman and Mayor Williams criticized the design as a "big box." Mayor Pro Tem Middleton emphasized the mission's work and the binding nature of commitments.

Key Outcomes

• Item 25 (Cliff Street Partial Closing): The public hearing was continued to October 20, 2025, and referred back to staff to explore a win-win solution (e.g., partial closure or pedestrian access easement).
• Item 26 (401 East Lakewood Avenue): Withdrawal approved 5-2 (Baker and Freeman dissenting). Mayor Williams committed to a community planning meeting to gather input on future development.
• Item 27 (Durham Rescue Mission): The rezoning motion failed 6-1 (only Mayor Pro Tem Middleton voted yes). The consistency statement passed unanimously.
• Item 28 (Stormwater Code Amendments): Both ordinances (amending Article X and XI, and creating Section 70-753) passed unanimously.
• Item 29 (Five-Year Consolidated Plan (2025-2029), 2025 Annual Action Plan, and Citizen Participation Plan): Adopted unanimously, with authority to submit to HUD.
• Item 3 (Recreation Advisory Commission Appointments): Appointments approved unanimously: Laura J. DeBarr, Gabrielle Rivero, Gregory Williams, and Larry Dale McKeel (person with disability).