Durham approves over 800 new homes and apartments despite sprawl concerns
The Durham City Council annexed land just outside the city limits for two large developments this week, one in a contentious 4-3 vote just before midnight Monday.
That project will bring up to 531 single-family houses and townhomes to rapidly growing southeast Durham, where residents are concerned about the impact construction is having on Lick Creek and Falls Lake.
Frank Catena, who lives in the area, noted that until very recently the area was rural.
“I’m very concerned about the short-term impact of the construction and perhaps moreso the long-term impact the increased population density will have on the health of the Falls Lake watershed.”
Falls Lake is a drinking-water reservoir for Raleigh and nearby areas, as well as a destination for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking and biking. About 13,600 acres of land around the lake are designated as wildlife habitat, according to the city’s website.
The development will be built by national homebuilder Taylor Morrison on an assemblage of 202 acres sprawling across both sides of Virgil Road.
The sellers, longtime Durham residents, said property taxes had become a burden.
“My family has tried for the last 30 years to sell the land on Virgil Road,” Amy Bass said. “Many are retired on a fixed income. and many of us don’t make a lot of money.”
Development now is possible because of investments in water and sewer infrastructure approved in 2005 and completed more recently. The newly approved development will be connected to the city’s water and sewer systems.
The vote, which happened shortly before midnight, passed 4-3.
Voting yes: Mayor Leonardo Williams, Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton, Javiera Caballero, Carl Rist
Voting no: DeDreana Freeman, Nate Baker, Chelsea Cook
Caballero said she didn’t want the development to proceed without a rezoning, which would allow for only 148 homes by-right.
“Those homes would most likely be on septic and would have a far worse impact on the streams and creeks that are clearly of deep concern to this community,” said Marie Farmer, the developer’s attorney.
Baker disagreed, and said the zoning designations themselves should be reevaluated.
“If a large portion of our decisions are being made over, and over, and over, based on the threat that they might develop under the existing zoning, that should be an urgent call to action to demand change,” he said.
Some council members expressed concerns about suburban sprawl on the environmentally sensitive land.
“Building a bedroom community for Raleigh feels like trash, if I’m just being blatantly honest,” Freeman said.
But the majority of council members said more housing will help address the affordability crisis.
“We are charged with protecting the interests of a growing urban center,” Middleton said. “Durham’s not rural. We’re a city.”
About 30 units — 6% — will be income-restricted for 30 years for those making below 60% and 80% of the area median income.
Farmer said they anticipate most of the homes will sell from around $350,000 to $450,000 depending on size.
South county development passes without controversy
Earlier in the night, the council approved a development that will give the occupants of 751 South and Colvard Farms new neighbors.
It is located north of the wedge where Fayetteville Road and N.C. 751 intersect, a largely residential area not far from The Streets at Southpoint.
The land: 32 acres of forest.
The plan: 300 units, at least a third apartments, the rest homes or townhomes.
Mixed-use: Plus 20,000 square feet of commercial space.
Affordable units: 15 units (5%) affordable for 30 years. A mix of for-sale and for-rent at 60% and 80% of the area median income.
Prices: No estimate.
That project passed 6-1, with only Baker voting against it.
