The Durham Planning Commission dealt with competing visions of growth at its April 9 meeting, rejecting Duke University's East Campus expansion while approving its Central Campus rezoning and unanimously blocking two large residential developments over infrastructure and environmental concerns.
Duke's proposed East Campus rezoning, which would have added 126 acres to its existing zoning district, failed on two separate votes—8-1 on the zoning map change and 5-4 on the tier change. The decision hinged largely on the contentious 3.2-acre "old laundry" parcel on Gattis Street, currently zoned residential and bordering the Birch Avenue neighborhood. Over 20 residents testified against the project, demanding Duke commit to Campus Drive access only and eliminate neighborhood street traffic. Duke refused, citing environmental uncertainties including streams and wetlands that might block Campus Drive entry. Residents argued this gave Duke a blank check to develop however it wanted once rezoning passed. One resident, Sam Himmel, captured the frustration: the rezoning would strip neighbors of democratic participation at the later site plan stage. Duke's attorney countered that the neighborhood's original request—blocking both Gattis Street and Campus Drive—was impossible, and they had already compromised significantly.
One email a week — new spots, neighborhood intel, and what's actually worth your time.