Nearly 1,900 apartments and townhomes could be coming to 95 acres in eastern Durham where a brickyard once operated.
The City Council unanimously agreed to rezone the site for the project, which also includes nearly 50,000 square feet of commercial space.
The development could also have walking trails with bike paths and a new bus stop on Angier Avenue, where the project will be. Space Craft, a Charlotte-based firm, plans to design the project.
Tuesday’s vote rezoned the site from industrial to residential, and design details remain uncertain. Mayor Leonardo Williams told the developers to “be as creative as you possibly can.”
“Durham deserves great quality of living, and this is a very large site. I think you have the opportunity to show off,” he said.
As proposed, 5% or about 90 of the residential units would be designated affordable for residents making 60% of the area median income for 30 years, said Nil Ghosh, the attorney for Space Craft. In Durham, that’s about $40,100 for a single person or $57,300 for a family of four.
Ghosh acknowledged the development would impact a wetland and a stream on the property. Since the site is inside the city limits and zoned for industrial use, however, the city’s code “already allows for the types of impacts we’re showing on the development plan,” he said.
“This is kind of a poster child redevelopment story, reimagining a defunct, industrial site as a mixed-used, walkable mixed-income community,” Ghosh said. “I recognize that this isn’t a perfect development, but it’s pretty darn close.”
Commercial and retail space
Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton said he was pleased that the project was within Durham’s urban footprint and said he would be supporting the project because he wants to see the former industrial site house residences.
“If we’re going to keep fidelity with the urban growth boundary, we’re going to have to make some tough decisions about development within our urban footprint,” Middleton said.
He asked what the 50,000 square feet of non-residential space would be used for. Ghosh said the developers envision a mixed-use building with commercial and retail uses, possibly facing Angier Avenue where most of the traffic will be.
The building could have a large restaurant, fitness center or specialty food spot. The rezoning does not allow for any drive-thru facilities and although allowed, there most likely won’t be a grocery store, Ghosh said.
-Resident engagement
The developer held two community meetings for neighbors near the former brickyard. Ghosh said about 30 people attended.
An additional meeting was held for the residents in the Durham Housing Authority’s Hoover Road Apartments, which is nearby. Ghosh said no one from that community came but that he and a partner went door to door to inform residents.
One person, Ian Kemp, spoke during Tuesday’s public hearing, saying council members should be “concerned” about the the site’s former use and possible contamination.
“I’m all for development. I’m all for clustering development. I’m all for responsible development, but this is a challenge,” Kemp said.
Commitments to design, transit, pedestrians
Councilman Nate Baker said the proposal was on the “better side” of what the council usually sees and that the developers should now focus on design.
“I think it is more closely aligned with the comprehensive plan than what we typically see from large proposals,” he said. “This is so large, I don’t want folks to feel rushed.”
Baker said a new city development ordinance would address requirements for large projects and how they can align with Durham’s comprehensive plan.
“I would love to see more commitments to get the design right,” Baker said. “Commitments to transit-oriented and pedestrian-oriented development. I think that can look differently.”
Baker also said he would like to see commitments to sidewalks, porches and housing types that would allow for accessory dwelling units or alley access.
Ghosh did not say when a development proposal would be brought back to the council for consideration or a vote.
