Durham City Council Work Session - November 14, 2022
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Durham City Council Work Session - November 14, 2022
This work session of the Durham City Council covered a range of administrative and policy items, including a unanimous vote to accept a $40 million federal grant for housing redevelopment, presentations on ward redistricting and the future of the 505 West Chapel Hill Street property, and a legal overview of affordable housing tools. The meeting began at 1 p.m. (transcript indicates November 10, but the provided date is November 14, 2022).
Consent Calendar
- Items 1–7 (appointments, minutes) and 9–12, 14–30 (various contracts, services, and presentations) were approved by consent. Items 15 and 23 were initially pulled for discussion but later placed on consent after council questions were addressed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alice Sharp, Bob Ashley, Tom Miller (Preservation Durham), and a representative from Duke Memorial United Methodist Church (via online comment) spoke on item 16 (505 West Chapel Hill). Speakers advocated for preserving the Milton Small Building, citing its historic and architectural significance, and urged the council to include affordable housing and public space. The Duke Memorial representative recommended a ground lease, at least 120 affordable units at 60% AMI, and removal of the preservation requirement to prioritize affordability.
Discussion Items
- Item 8: Ward Redistricting – City Attorney Kimberly Rayburg presented two reapportionment options (Option 1 with near-equal population; Option 2 with slightly more variation to account for growth). Council discussed the legal parameters, the city’s unique ward system (all voters vote for ward seats), and the need to decide by November 21. Councilmember Freeman expressed concern about growth in Ward 2 and 3, while Mayor Pro Tem Middleton favored Option 1 for straightforward population balance. No final decision was made; additional data (precinct populations) was requested.
- Item 16: 505 West Chapel Hill Street Property – Staff presented updated market analysis, cost estimates ($17.4 million to rehabilitate the existing Milton Small Building), and three disposition options: upset bid sale, ground lease, or city as prime developer. Council discussed development priorities, with most members prioritizing affordable housing but differing on preservation and commercial space. Mayor Pro Tem Middleton emphasized the site as a “generational” decision and a branding opportunity. Councilmember Johnson favored the city acting as prime developer. Councilmember Caballero supported preservation if affordable housing could still be achieved. Councilmember Williams advocated for a ground lease and leveraging the site for broader affordable housing production. No decisions were made; staff will return in December for priority-setting.
- Item 31: Affordable Housing and the Law – City Attorney Don Greeley presented the legal framework for affordable housing in North Carolina, explaining that mandatory inclusionary zoning is not authorized, but the city can use tools such as arm’s-length contractual negotiations, voluntary proffers in rezonings, statutory development agreements, and “other incentives of value” under the city’s charter. Council discussed exploring expedited review, fee grants, and regulatory relief as potential incentives. The presentation was well-received, and Councilwoman Caballero noted interest in bringing similar ideas to the Joint City-County Planning Committee.
Key Outcomes
- Item 13 (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant): Unanimously approved (7-0) to authorize the mayor to execute a $40 million grant agreement for redevelopment of Durham Housing Authority’s 519 East Main and Liberty Street properties. The city manager requested suspension of the rules to vote during the work session to meet a December 2, 2022 deadline.
- Items 15 and 23: After discussion about diversity goals and contractor capacity, both items were placed on the consent agenda for final approval.
- Ward Redistricting: No action taken; council will consider additional population data and vote on November 21, 2022.
- 505 West Chapel Hill Street: No action taken; staff will return in December for council direction on development priorities.
- Boards and Commissions: Appointments were made to the Durham City County Appearance Commission, Safety and Wellness Task Force, Recreation Advisory Commission, Citizens Advisory Committee, Durham Affordable Housing Implementation Committee, and Durham Board of Adjustment (mayoral appointment).
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, Durham, North Carolina. Welcome today to our city council work session on Thursday, November 10th, 2022 here in Chambers at 1 p.m. At this time, I do would like to announce that we uh have a birthday before we call the roll for for our newest member of the city council. So happy birthday to uh the councilwoman hymen, doctor Hyman, and we also have another birthday in our inner chambers working. Um Lakeisha Griffin, so we give a shout out to her as well. And with that, uh I think that councilman Williams is gonna he's running a little late, but madam clerk, if you will call the road. Mayor O'Neill. I am present. Mayor Pro Tem Middleton. I'm here. Councilmember Caballero here. Councilmember Freeman, present. Councilmember Holsey Hyman. Present. Councilmember Johnson here, and Councilmember Williams will join us shortly. Thank you so much. I would like to at this time recognize any of my colleagues for announcements or comments. Councilwoman Freeman. Okay. All right, so we'll start on this thing in person. I read across. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I just wanted to take a moment and just um say we made it through another election day, and I want to thank all of the candidates that stepped forward to serve in our community, and I want to congratulate them all for completing a race. And I want to thank each and every one of them, and that's all. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, everyone for the happy birthday. Um, I wanted to just acknowledge that tomorrow is uh Veterans Day, and to honor all of our men and women who serve um and continue service um for our country. Happy Veterans Day to our our people who are doing that here in Durham and do across the across the globe and the world. So just wanted to say happy Veterans Day. A good day to have a day that one can vote. So thank you all for all the candidates for all their hard work, and we extend our congratulations to all those who were the victorious. Thank you, Mayor. Um actually I'm gonna actually yield to this time for good afternoon, everyone, good afternoon, your honor, and to my honorable colleagues, everyone in the chamber and those that are watching uh remotely. At this time, I'm gonna yield to our city manager for any priority items that she may have. Good afternoon, ma'am. Good afternoon, Madam Mayor, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem and members of the Durham City Council. I have one priority item for you today, and it is agenda item number 13, approval of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Choice Neighborhoods Implementation, CNI grant agreement. City Council is being asked to suspend the rules and vote during the work session so the mayor and Durham Housing Authority can execute and submit the CNI agreement to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development before their December 2nd, 2022 deadline. That is all I have for you today. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Manager. That is noted, and we will take action after we read uh the agenda into record uh for the day. I'm gonna yield now to the city attorney for any priority items she may have. Good afternoon, counselor. Good afternoon, Mayor Pratem, Madam Mayor, members of the council. The city attorney's office has no priority items today.
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