Hayti Rezoning Surprisingly Withdrawn, Rescue Mission Plan Rejected

The council allowed the applicant to withdraw a long-running Hayti rezoning case after promised benefits failed to win community support. A separate proposal to rezone parcels for a Durham Rescue Mission career center was also denied, following concerns about neighborhood impact and building design. 28mins

Emergency Management Planning & Zoning Public Engagement
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Original Meeting

Monday, August 4th, 2025
14494.0
Full Meeting on YouTube
Video Notes

Welcome to the Durham City Council meeting for August 4, 2025.

To view the meeting agenda, visit http://DurhamNC.gov/AgendaCenter.

PLEASE NOTE: Comments left on this livestream will not be read or entered into the meeting record.

For details on how to participate, visit https://www.durhamnc.gov/1345

To contact City Council members directly, visit https://www.durhamnc.gov/1323

Call to Order

Moment of Silent Meditation

Roll Call

Ceremonial Items

Announcements by Council

Priority Items by the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk

Consent Agenda Items

Pulled Items

Public Hearings

25. Cliff Street partial street closure

26. Zoning Map Change – 401 East Lakewood Avenue

27. Zoning Map Change – Durham Rescue Mission East Main Street

28. Revisions to Durham City Code Regarding Stormwater Facility Replacement Fund and Perpetual Surety Requirements

29. Public Hearing and Approval of the Draft Five-Year (2025-2029) Consolidated Plan, 2025 Annual Action Plan, and Citizen Participation Plan

Other Matters

Adjournment

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Alex Rosen
Durham, North Carolina
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In This Video
  • Mayor Williams provided information about disaster assistance resources available at the Northern Region Library for residents affected by the recent flood in Northern Durham.
  • Mayor Williams highlighted a recent national presentation on Durham's public safety initiatives, recognized local organizations for their role in reducing crime.
  • Council Member Freeman reported on a series of meetings between an applicant and community members, including follow-up on resident questions and an additional closed meeting with the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People.
  • Jamie Schwedler explained that the proposed rezoning would increase allowable building height in the downtown design district core, aligning with the comprehensive plan while keeping permitted uses unchanged.
  • Jamie Schwedler described the history of the Hayti community, the decline of Heritage Square Shopping Center, and its current state of vacancy and disuse.
  • Jamie Schwedler described extensive community engagement efforts for the Hayti rezoning proposal, including over 53 stakeholder meetings with various local groups and leaders since 2022.
  • Jamie Schwedler outlined community benefits developed from three years of public engagement, including scholarship and donation commitments and a proposed building height restriction to match the North Carolina Mutual Tower.
  • Jamie Schwedler outlined additional community benefits for the Hayti rezoning proposal, including discounted affordable retail space, free parking for local organizations, and the estimated value of these commitments over ten years.
  • Jamie Schwedler detailed further community benefits for the Hayti rezoning proposal, including free conference space, stormwater and blasting issue resolutions for a local church, an outdoor gathering area, a small grocery, and a 15% MWBE participation goal.
  • Jamie Schwedler argued that the proposed zoning change and community benefits package represented the best available option for Hayti, addressed resident concerns about the offer, and requested council approval to withdraw the rezoning case.
  • Mayor Williams clarified the applicant's request to withdraw the rezoning application, and city attorney Rehberg explained that the council would need to vote on whether to allow the withdrawal or proceed to a vote on the merits.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton and Council Member Freeman discussed the applicant's right to withdraw the rezoning application, acknowledged community input, and emphasized the importance of preserving residents' concerns for future development discussions.
  • Council Member Caballero stated that since the applicant requested to withdraw the rezoning application, there was no case to hold a public hearing on, and assured that any future proposals would have their own public hearings.
  • Council Member Cook supported allowing public comment on the rezoning application before voting on the applicant's withdrawal request, noting that the public hearing had been open for two months and residents had already attended multiple times.
  • Council Member Freeman argued that the public should be allowed to comment on the rezoning application before withdrawal, emphasizing concerns about process and respect for residents' time.
  • Council Member Freeman questioned the sincerity of the applicant's withdrawal request and emphasized the importance of council members hearing community input and vision for the project.
  • Mayor Williams proposed holding a community planning meeting to gather input on future development in the neighborhood and emphasized the need for a clear community vision before proceeding with next steps.
  • The council voted 5-2 to accept the applicant's request to withdraw the rezoning case, with Mayor Williams encouraging community leaders to organize a planning meeting for future development.
  • Laura Holloman introduced the project team representing Durham Rescue Mission and invited Pastor Rob Tart to share information about the organization before discussing the zoning request.
  • Rob Tart explained the vision and need for a career development center in Durham as part of the Durham Rescue Mission's proposal.
  • Rob Tart described the Durham Rescue Mission's commitment to building quality facilities, highlighted past projects, and emphasized the growing need for a new building due to a 40% increase in demand for services over the past three years.
  • Rob Tart emphasized the importance of providing career development and purpose for individuals experiencing homelessness, rather than only offering temporary shelter or jobs.
  • Rob Tart urged the council to approve the building proposal, emphasizing a desire to help the homeless efficiently without requesting funding or other resources from the city.
  • Rob Tart described plans to offer career training programs such as culinary arts, retail management, coding, and CNA training to help individuals develop careers without requiring college or high school degrees.
  • Laura Holloman described the rezoning process for 15 parcels to Industrial Light, highlighting community engagement efforts including virtual and in-person meetings that provided valuable feedback.
  • Laura Holloman explained that the proposed facility would centralize Durham Rescue Mission's services, allowing career training, counseling, and meals to be provided in one building instead of being spread across multiple locations.
  • Laura Holloman outlined project commitments including limiting building coverage to 75,000 square feet, constructing a bus landing pad, relocating two existing structures, increasing tree coverage, and establishing a natural area on the site.
  • Laura Holloman announced a commitment to limit the building height for the Durham Rescue Mission project to 35 feet to ensure compatibility with the surrounding residential community.
  • Chloe Palanchar expressed opposition to the Durham Rescue Mission rezoning, voicing concerns that the proposed buildings would not benefit the neighborhood and would replace opportunities for vibrant, mixed-use development at the community entrance.
  • Council Member Rist expressed concern about changing the place type map to mixed employment, arguing that the area is better suited for a transit opportunity area with higher density and mixed uses, including housing.
  • Council Member Freeman expressed disappointment with the proposed building design for the Austin Ave corridor, advocated for a more neighborhood-oriented mixed-use plan, and questioned the need for a career center given nearby educational resources.
  • Laura Holloman clarified that the building design presented for the Durham Rescue Mission project was only a conceptual rendering, not an architectural drawing, and no architectural conditions had been offered at this stage.
  • Rob Tart explained that if the rezoning was not approved, the organization could still build a 40,000 square foot building by right but would face limitations on efficiency and building placement due to existing zoning constraints.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton expressed greater confidence in the Durham Rescue Mission rezoning proposal due to the applicant's commitments on building height, a bus pad, and responsiveness to community concerns.
  • Mayor Williams expressed hope for greater collaboration between the city, county, and Durham Rescue Mission to address homelessness, stating support for improving the rezoning proposal and emphasizing the need for stronger partnerships.
  • Mayor Williams closed the discussion and called for a vote on the agenda item.
  • The council voted on the rezoning motion, which failed with only Mayor Pro Tem Middleton voting in favor.
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