Durham City Council held a contentious meeting on November 4, 2024, approving two major rezonings despite deep community opposition and a sobering report on family homelessness in the city.
The council voted 4-3 to rezone 12.25 acres on Ellis Road for up to 102 townhouses, with Nate Baker, Chelsea Cook, and one other council member voting no. The Planning Commission had recommended denial 10-3. Residents testified passionately about flooding risks, loss of forest, dangerous traffic on an already congested Ellis Road curve, and concerns that the city's environmental review was inadequate. The development includes 5% affordable housing and a commitment to handle 100-year storm events, but community members questioned whether current infrastructure and city stormwater standards—written for 1980s weather patterns—can handle modern storms. Council Member Carl Rist raised additional concerns about whether the project aligns with the city's comprehensive plan values.
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