Durham City Council approved the contested Bella Ridge annexation 4-3 while rejecting the large Morgan Farm annexation, capping a lengthy night of housing and development votes.
The contested 78-acre Burton Road development by Ashton Woods Homes, seeking up to 300 dwelling units, passed on a split vote after lengthy public comment about environmental concerns and infrastructure.
MI Homes' revised 218-acre Farrington Mill Road annexation — scaled back after a denial one year ago — failed 2-5, despite the applicant's commitments to reduced density and expanded open space.
The MI Homes proposal to annex roughly 40 acres on Patterson Road and rezone for up to 180 units recorded a 0-0 outcome, indicating the motion did not advance to a recorded vote.
A third amendment to the city's fiber agreement with Duke University was passed 7-0, bringing the revised total contract value to just under $6.8 million, amid public questions about local hiring and Duke's financial contribution.
Council approved an interlocal agreement with Durham County to pay for Community Solutions' Built for Zero consulting work, despite a public commenter arguing the approach technocratically manages rather than solves homelessness.