Durham City Council approved the Preserve at Infinity rezoning 4-3 Monday, clearing the way for up to 90 multifamily homes and 5,000 square feet of commercial space at 301 and 401 Infinity Road. The split vote came after residents from nearby neighborhoods warned that more building near North Roxboro Street could worsen flooding and traffic.
The decision went against a 6-5 Planning Commission recommendation from January. It also adds another housing project to a part of North Durham where residents said more than 1,000 units are already in progress nearby.
- Mayor Leo Williams and council members Javiera Caballero, Matt Kopac, and Carl Rist voted yes. Council members Nate Baker, Shanetta Burris, and Chelsea Cook voted no.
- The rezoning conditions include 8% affordable housing, permanent conservation of a FEMA floodplain area, a utility extension agreement with SunHausRealty LLC, and 100% native tree plantings.
- A stormwater condition says peak flow at the culvert under Infinity Road cannot exceed pre-development levels during a 100-year storm event.
- Residents pointed to Tropical Storm Chantal flooding and the lack of a scheduled NCDOT fix at Infinity Road and North Roxboro Street.
The vote answered the rezoning question. The road work and flooding concerns that shaped the debate are still unresolved.