Durham City Council Work Session Summary – December 21, 2022

This work session of the Durham City Council, held at 1:00 PM on December 20, 2022 (noted as December 21, 2022 in the official record), covered routine consent items, a pooled item on permit fee reimbursements for disabled veterans, a public hearing on code enforcement, and a substantive discussion on the redevelopment of 505 West Chapel Hill Street. The meeting concluded with board appointments and plans for 2023.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Durham Open Space and Trails Commission appointments (Ward 1: Maureen Quinlan, Ward 2: Peter Whitehead).
• Item 2: Mayor's Hispanic Latino Committee appointment (Alejandra Montoya).
• Item 3: November 2022 bid report.
• Item 5: American Rescue Plan Act – multifamily acquisition support and supply mass.
• Item 6: Lease and license agreement with New Singular Wireless PCS LLC at 1318 East Pettigrew Street.
• Item 7: Contract with John R. McAdams Company Inc. to develop a Durham Parks and Recreation Park System Plan.
• Items 9-11: Zoning map changes for Welcome Venture Park, Hillendale West, and Chapel Hill Road C Store.

These items were approved via a single consent motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Calvin Starnes (1613 Pinock Road) praised Code Enforcement Officer Wilma Oliver for her effectiveness in PAC (Police Advisory Committee) area and requested additional staff to prevent burnout and ensure her continued work in that area.
• Mr. Chavis echoed Starnes' comments, emphasizing Oliver's dedication and community engagement, and asked the council to provide her more help to maintain progress in PAC One.
• Eddie Lee Carlisle Jr. (representing ERUF and CAD) spoke about barriers to housing for people with felony records, citing his own difficulty securing an apartment despite steady income from two jobs. He urged the council to support affordable housing initiatives that address such systemic barriers.

Discussion Items

• Permit Fee Reimbursement Program for Disabled Veterans (Item 4, pulled by Councilmember Johnson): Councilmember Johnson expressed support for the program and asked if it could be expanded to other vulnerable communities. City Manager Paige explained that the program was funded from general revenues (not inspection fees) and that the administration is open to additional fee waiver proposals from community organizations. Other councilmembers (Williams, Mayor Pro Tem Middleton) praised the program and encouraged further creative municipal policies for housing affordability.

• 505 West Chapel Hill Street Redevelopment (Presentation by Stacey Poston and Elizabeth Packer): Staff presented an update on site disposition and redevelopment, outlining trade-offs among competing priorities. The council engaged in a lengthy discussion on development goals:

  • Affordable Housing: Nearly all councilmembers emphasized affordable housing as the top priority, with interest in serving a range of income levels (including workforce/missing middle housing). Many noted that market conditions would not support a high sale price, so public investment is needed.
  • Milton Small Building Preservation: Several councilmembers expressed conditional support for preserving the historic building, provided the costs (estimated at $20-23 million for rehabilitation) could be shared through public-private partnerships or historic tax credits. Councilmember Freeman insisted on preserving the building to honor history, while others (Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmember Johnson) wanted to see comparative RFPs (with and without preservation) to assess feasibility.
  • Commercial/Event Space: Councilmembers showed interest in destination retail, event/meeting space, and cultural amenities such as a museum or amphitheater. Councilmember Williams proposed involving the Durham Museum of History or other partners.
  • Role of the City: The council favored a ground-lease or public-private partnership model rather than an outright sale, to retain control and ensure community benefits. Staff was directed to craft a disposition strategy that includes mixed-income housing, preservation (if feasible), and iconic public space.
  • Historical and Social Context: Concerns were raised about honoring the legacy of Hayti (historically Black business district) and the West End neighborhood, with requests for a historical marker or healing space. Councilmembers stressed that development should address past harms and foster racial equity.

Key Outcomes

• Consensus on affordable housing as the primary goal for the 505 West Chapel Hill site, with a preference for mixed-income (affordable, workforce, and market-rate) units.
• Conditional support for preserving the Milton Small Building, contingent on financial viability and public-private partnership. The city would consider up to $5-10 million in public investment, pending a detailed proposal.
• Directive to Staff: To develop a redevelopment strategy that includes:
  • A ground-lease or similar public-private partnership model.
  • Consideration of both preservation and non-preservation scenarios.
  • Incorporation of commercial/event space, open/public space, and cultural/historical elements.
  • A timeline for an RFQ/RFP process to select a development partner.
• Next Steps: Staff will present a recommended disposition strategy to council in early 2023 for approval before launching a new solicitation.
• Board Appointments Approved: Maureen Quinlan (Open Space and Trails, Ward 1), Peter Whitehead (Ward 2), and Alejandra Montoya (Hispanic Latino Committee).