The Durham Planning Commission approved four annexations and an RV parking amendment at its December 9 meeting, but not without concerns about transparency, flooding, and long-term consequences.
The most contentious vote involved Curly Gardens, a 36-unit apartment complex at 5200 Curley Road seeking to connect to city water. While commissioners unanimously approved the annexation, residents raised alarm about what they called misleading statements from the property owner's attorney. Katherine Olive alleged that attorney Patrick Biker discussed future development plans in private conversations while the applicant publicly stated "no proposals at this time." Ken Pew calculated that the annexation would cost existing residents roughly $800 more per unit annually in taxes, and questioned why a 6-inch water pipe was being installed for 36 units when typical codes require 3-4 inches. Bruce Oliver compared the situation to 1966, when apartments were built on the property without proper permits. Despite these concerns, the commission voted 11-0 to recommend approval. The property owner, Leah Bergman, said the city water connection would reduce well-testing costs from $1,000 monthly to zero.
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