City Manager Page announced her retirement effective December 31 after 36 years leading Durham, a tenure marked by major initiatives including the DEER program, licensed restoration, public art crosswalks, the Innovation Lab, and housing for justice-involved individuals. Mayor Leonardo Williams praised Page as a "Bloomberg model city" leader who brought in philanthropic partnerships to expand city resources.
The most contested action of the evening was approval of a massive 13.2-acre townhouse development in Southeast Durham for 100 units. The council voted 4-3 to approve, with Council Members Chelsea Cook, Nate Baker, and DeDreana Freeman opposed. The decision came after heated debate over environmental and affordability concerns, with the developer making last-minute commitments on the evening of the vote: five percent of units at 80 percent of the area's median income for 30 years, reduced impervious surface coverage, and stronger tree preservation standards.
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