Durham City Council Meeting – April 6, 2026

The Durham City Council held its regular meeting on April 6, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting began with ceremonial proclamations, followed by council member announcements, a consent agenda, and discussions on budget development guidelines, a property option for the Home Security Life Insurance Building, and two zoning map changes (Topgolf mixed-use phase two and Preserve at Infinity). Key decisions included approval of the budget guidelines, unanimous support for the property option, and a closely split vote (4‑3) on the Preserve at Infinity rezoning.

Ceremonial Proclamations

• National Community Development Week (April 6–10, 2026): Proclaimed by Mayor Williams; Director Sarah Vinius accepted on behalf of the City and the Citizen Advisory Committee. Noted that over the past five years, Durham received a total of $10,193,876 in CDBG funds and $5,849,090.65 in HOME funds. The week kicks off a reception and an interactive GIS data story on the open data portal.
• Fair Housing Month (April 2026): Proclaimed by Mayor Williams; Sheila Willis of the Durham Regional Association of Realtors spoke in support, asking for continued backing of fair and affordable housing.
• Black Maternal Health Week (April 11–17, 2026): Proclaimed by Councilmember Burris. Speakers highlighted the theme “Rooted in Justice and Joy” and called for community action to address black maternal mortality.
• Realtist Week (April 12–18, 2026): Proclaimed by Mayor Williams; Melvin Watson, President of the Triangle Board of Realtists (TriBor), accepted. Noted the history of NAREB and the local chapter’s events, including a wealth summit and fair housing panel.

Announcements from Council Members

• Councilmember Rist: Celebrated Dr. Jermaine Brewington’s retirement from audit services; invited residents to Durham Bulls games; highlighted the legislative committee’s meeting with state lobbyists and the Carolina Theatre’s 100th birthday.
• Councilmember Cook: Thanked retiring homelessness systems coordinator Keisha Barnett; wished a meaningful Passover, noting the heaviness of this year’s celebration.
• Councilmember Burris: Expressed gratitude for participating in events for Senator Jeannie Lucas week and Durham Tech’s Women’s History Month; offered condolences for Miss Carrie Everett; raised concerns about unhoused neighbors at Oakwood Park, calling it a humanitarian issue.
• Councilmember Baker: Encouraged promotion of the CDBG story map; stressed planning for a resilient, walkable future and noted the UDO rewrite pause due to state legislation.
• Councilmember Kopac: Recognized the Citizens Advisory Committee’s work on CDBG; mentioned representing the city at Crop Walk, a celebration of Senator Lucas, and a senior center event where he met 113‑year‑old Ms. Catherine Farrell.
• Mayor Williams: Acknowledged the complexity of homelessness, stating the city has “two existing realities” to address and no silver bullet; urged community support.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (with items 8 and 15 pulled): Items 1–7, 9–13, 16–20, and 24. Includes appointments to the Citizens Advisory Committee, Durham City‑County Environmental Affairs Board, Historic Preservation Commission, and others; interlocal agreements; budget development guidelines (pulled for discussion); and the Human Relations Commission appointment (Shannon M. Salentine, term expiring June 30, 2027).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 8 – Budget Development Guidelines (FY 2026‑2027): Pablo Freeman commended the document but urged the council to focus on revenue side – suggested reclaiming occupancy tax revenue diverted to a nonprofit, addressing the property tax reevaluation inequity, and pressing the county to release transit funds. He argued that without revenue measures, the city would overburden residential property owners.
• Item 15 – Option to Purchase Home Security Life Insurance Building: Victoria Peterson opposed giving the property away (estimated value >$1M) without a purchase price, urging it be used for homeless housing with rents from $0 to $600/month. She stated she was “tired of seeing black men living on the street” and that the shelter is full.
• Item 23 – Preserve at Infinity Rezoning (18 acres, 90 multifamily units, 5,000 sq ft office):
  • Supporters: Steve Cohn (Chair, Open Space Committee) recommended approval, citing permanent conservation easement and protection of an “excellent” Eno River tributary; Andy Lowe spoke in favor, calling it a better project than single‑family homes and noting growth benefits; Jeff Sturkey (in person) argued the project is consistent with the comprehensive plan and offers environmental commitments.
  • Opponents or concerned: Brittany Westfall (online) worried about tree loss, traffic, and flooding on Infinity Road; Manetta Hood (River Forest resident) feared increased traffic and flooding, questioning whether promises will be honored; Mary Ann Caitlin (Hickory Ridge) detailed the intersection of N. Roxboro and Infinity Road – a planned DOT improvement (project U5516) has been repeatedly delayed and is now off the State Transportation Improvement Program; Jax Epston (Hickory Ridge) argued 5% affordable units at 80% AMI is insufficient, infrastructure is inadequate, and the area is facing over a thousand new homes from multiple developments; Pablo Freeman (personal capacity) criticized the $15,000 school proffer (only ~$600/student) and urged a higher standard; Jeff Storkey cited traffic congestion, flood risks, and the need for better proffers.

Discussion Items

• Item 15 – 505 West Chapel Hill Street (Home Security Life Insurance Building): Staff clarified that the draft option agreement is still under negotiation. Councilmember Kopak asked about the timing of the rehabilitation agreement – staff confirmed that before the sale is executed, the council will review and approve the rehabilitation agreement and developers’ plans. The item authorizes the city manager to continue negotiating. The motion passed unanimously after discussion.
• Item 23 – Preserve at Infinity Rezoning (PDR 6.185 and OID): The applicant (local family business) seeks to build 90 multifamily units (likely townhomes) and 5,000 sq ft of office on 18 acres off Infinity Road. The Planning Commission voted 6‑5 to recommend approval. During the meeting:
  • The applicant responded to traffic concerns, stating the project would add only 1.5% of traffic at the intersection and offered a stormwater commitment: post‑development peak flow for the 100‑year storm at the culvert inlet will not exceed pre‑development flow.
  • The applicant increased affordable housing from 5% to 8% of units (at 80% AMI) and pledged 100% native tree plantings on both parcels. The donation to Durham Public Schools was increased from $600 to $1,000 per student.
  • Council members debated environmental impacts, traffic (notably the delayed DOT intersection project), and the adequacy of affordable housing. Councilmembers Baker, Burris, and Cook expressed concerns about flooding, infrastructure strain, and insufficient proffers; Councilmembers Rist, Kopac, and Mayor Williams and Mayor Pro Tem Caballero argued the project is consistent with the comprehensive plan (TOA designation) and provides meaningful improvements.

Key Outcomes

• Item 8 – Budget Development Guidelines: Approved unanimously.
• Item 15 – 505 W. Chapel Hill Street: Authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute an option to purchase the Home Security Life Insurance Building to Preservation North Carolina, with the final sale and rehabilitation agreement to come back to council for approval. Passed unanimously.
• Item 24 – Topgolf Mixed‑Use Phase Two (zoning map change): Approved unanimously (ordinance and consistency statement).
• Item 23 – Preserve at Infinity Rezoning (Infinity Road):
  • Motion to approve the zoning map change (RS‑20 to PDR 6.185 and OID) passed 4‑3 (Councilmembers Baker, Burris, Cook dissenting).
  • Subsequent motion to adopt the ordinance passed 4‑3 with the same dissenting votes.
  • Consistency statement passed unanimously.
• Other: Mayor Williams was excused from the April 9 work session (passed unanimously).

The meeting concluded at approximately 7:45 PM.