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Durham's planning staff just revealed vital insights on riparian buffer protections, but advocates are demanding greater transparency on the NPAA process—will the city respond?

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Staff outlines riparian buffer rules and NPAA process; advocates and council push for more transparency
Planning staff gave a technical presentation on riparian buffer protections, stream classification and the No Practical Alternatives Authorization (NPAA) process under UDO Sec. 8.5 and state rules; environmental advocates urged the city to publish NPAA applications and approvals and council asked staff to explore ways to ‘daylight’ NPAA notifications.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 9:38 PM
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Durham officials reveal that approximately 1,400 residents are facing homelessness, including nearly 650 without shelter, and a new strategic framework is on the way to tackle this pressing issue.

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City reports roughly 1,400 people experiencing homelessness; staff previews strategic framework
Community safety staff told council Durham's best estimate is about 1,400 people experiencing homelessness, including roughly 650 unsheltered households; the city released a public dashboard and will present a homelessness strategic framework next week.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 8:58 PM
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Durham City Council has swiftly authorized a $7.7 million deal with Motorola for new radio tower sites, ensuring they beat the looming bid deadline!

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Durham council approves $7.7 million Motorola radio tower contract after suspending rules
Durham City Council voted during its work session to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Motorola Solutions Inc. for radio tower site additions and relocation (CIP CB032) and to adopt a budget ordinance adding funds, after suspending rules to meet a Feb. 15 bid deadline.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 8:29 PM
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Durham is gearing up for a $15 million transit overhaul, with plans for a new paratransit facility and a fleet of battery-electric buses, but a significant funding gap remains!

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Council hears BRT design and paratransit facility plans; staff outlines electric-bus rollout and funding gap
Durham staff presented design services for a Junction Road paratransit facility and schematic BRT design work, outlined a $15 million full design estimate with $5 million on hand and a requested $10.5 million in the FY27 county transit work program, and updated council on an expanding battery-electric bus fleet and charging upgrades.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 7:31 PM
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Durham City Council has greenlit a water connection for a property to build a second home but hit pause on full annexation after concerns over service costs.

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Durham Council Approves Water Connection for Pine View Property, Rejects Full Annexation for Now
The council authorized a utility extension agreement for 3600 Pine View Circle so the owner can add a second water meter; after debate about service costs the body approved only the water connection (6-0) and did not proceed with annexation.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 7:11 PM
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Durham City Council just made big moves by adopting new zoning that opens doors for major research parks and eases RV parking rules—what does this mean for the community?

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Council Adopts UDO Changes to Expand Research District and Ease RV Parking Rules
Durham’s City Council unanimously adopted a privately initiated UDO amendment to create a UC-3 district for larger research/technical parks and approved a text amendment to allow RV parking on driveways at least 25 feet from the right-of-way; both motions passed 6-0.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 6:23 PM
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Durham City Council has greenlit a $7.72 million contract with Motorola Solutions to enhance emergency communications with new radio tower additions and relocations!

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Durham council authorizes $7.72 million Motorola radio-tower contract and amends budget
Durham City Council suspended rules and authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Motorola Solutions Inc. for radio-tower site additions and relocation (CB 032) not to exceed $7,716,701.30, and adopted Ordinance No. 16,555 to add funding to the project.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 8:57 AM
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Durham officials report approximately 1,400 individuals are experiencing homelessness, with new outreach efforts and a public dashboard revealing crucial data on the crisis.

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City staff say about 1,400 people are experiencing homelessness; dashboard and winter shelter efforts highlighted
Community Safety staff told council Durham's best estimate is about 1,400 people experiencing homelessness (about 650 unsheltered households), previewed a new public dashboard showing inflow/outflow trends, and described recent winter shelter ('white flag') efforts that sheltered more than 200 people during storms and that outreach teams placed 15–20 people from encampments.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 6:06 AM
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Durham is gearing up for a transformative $15 million investment in paratransit and electric buses, with a $2.2 million design phase set to kickstart the journey!

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Council hears details on Junction Road paratransit design, BRT readiness and electric‑bus rollout
City transportation staff outlined a $2.2M design phase for the Junction Road paratransit/BRT facility, said the full preconstruction package is estimated at about $15M with $5M available now and a $10.5M FY'27 county funding ask, and explained the city will bring 22 battery-electric buses into service as charging infrastructure is upgraded.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 5:55 AM
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Durham City Council's controversial vote to annex Curley Gardens sparks fierce debate over affordability and community impact, leaving residents concerned about the future.

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Durham Council Approves Curley Gardens Annexation After Residents Raise Transparency, Affordability Concerns
After more than an hour of public comment raising fears about future expansion and rent increases, Durham City Council voted 5-1 to annex Curley Gardens and authorize a utility extension to connect 36 existing units to city water; opponents said documentation on long‑term affordability was missing.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 9:54 AM
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In a contentious 4-3 vote, the Durham City Council approved a townhouse community despite fierce opposition over environmental concerns and local infrastructure strain.

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After hours of public comment, Durham council approves Sagebrook townhouse annexation and rezoning 4–3
Following extended public testimony raising environmental, traffic and EMS concerns, Durham City Council narrowly approved annexation and rezoning for a planned 120‑unit townhouse development (Sagebrook) on roughly 17.38 acres; the council accepted additional buffer commitments but opponents said the project will strain local infrastructure.
citizenportal.ai
January 15, 2026 at 1:48 AM
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Durham residents are demanding transparency and a pause on $10 million in funding for the Hayti Promise CDC, questioning the legitimacy of fiscal oversight as they seek answers about the project’s true authorship.

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Council hears calls to pause Hayti Promise ARPA amendments as residents allege project misattribution
Multiple speakers urged council to pause two consent items that would change fiscal‑agent status and funding for Hayti Promise CDC, alleging that the Durham Marshall Plan was authored by community members and asking for an investigation before moving ARPA funds; staff explained fund‑swap mechanics and said finance could assume fiscal‑agent duties for monitoring compliance.
citizenportal.ai
January 14, 2026 at 1:28 AM
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Durham's proposed Unified Development Ordinance aims to transform the housing landscape with new zoning districts and affordability options, sparking intense debate among councilmembers about balancing density and genuine affordability.

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Durham council reviews sweeping UDO rewrite as members spar over affordability and density
City planning staff presented a full draft of a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that would remap much of the Urban Growth Boundary and introduce new districts and development options; councilmembers praised readability and sustainability measures but sharply debated how and when to tie additional height or density to deeper affordable housing requirements.
citizenportal.ai
January 13, 2026 at 8:10 PM
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Durham's parking system is at a crossroads with a $2 million deficit looming, prompting discussions on innovative solutions like a one-hour free parking pilot and expanded worker discounts!

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Durham staff outline parking system and trade‑offs; council signals support for one‑hour pilot and worker discounts
Transportation staff briefed council on downtown parking operations, noting a roughly $2 million structural deficit and recommending options including promotional rates and curbside management; council members asked staff to develop a one‑hour free parking pilot, explore surface‑lot redevelopment and expand worker discount outreach.
citizenportal.ai
December 22, 2025 at 4:58 PM
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Residents are rallying against a controversial two-year trespass notice for Amanda Wallace, arguing that silencing dissent is a dangerous precedent for civic engagement.

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Residents and speakers urge Durham Council to rescind two-year trespass notice for Amanda Wallace
Multiple residents told the City Council that a two‑year trespass notice barring Amanda Wallace from City Hall was issued without transparency and called on the council to rescind it, arguing the December 1 disturbance was not comparable to January 6 and stressing concerns about free expression and equity.
citizenportal.ai
December 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
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Durham's Forever Home program is breaking records in affordable rentals but faces challenges in homeownership and minority contracting—find out how the city plans to tackle these issues!

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Durham presents Forever Home Durham update: bond dollars, units created and program gaps
Assistant City Manager Carmisha Wallace told council the Forever Home Durham bond program has exceeded several goals — including affordable rental unit production and household stabilization — but staff flagged homeownership uptake and MWBE contracting as areas needing work and shared implementation details and next steps.
citizenportal.ai
December 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
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Durham's council unanimously rejected a controversial annexation proposal for 81 homes on Hamlin Road after overwhelming public outcry about safety, environmental concerns, and community impact.

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Durham council rejects noncontiguous Hamlin Reserve annexation after large public outcry
Council voted down a proposal to annex two noncontiguous parcels at Hamlin Road for an 81-unit conservation subdivision after extensive public opposition focused on the urban growth boundary, watershed protection, traffic and EMS capacity concerns.
citizenportal.ai
December 22, 2025 at 4:49 PM
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The future of the Lee Village Center hangs in the balance as the council pauses to weigh traffic concerns and environmental protections before making a decisive move.

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Lee Village Center rezoning continued after wide-ranging testimony on traffic, environment and TIA requirements
After hours of public comment and technical debate, the council left the public hearing open and continued the Lee Village Center consolidated annexation and rezoning to Feb. 16, 2026, asking staff and applicant for follow-up on traffic impact analysis requirements, parks evaluation and protections for natural heritage areas.
citizenportal.ai
December 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
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Dr. Haley Cunningham has raised alarms about unspent HOPWA funds and barriers faced by community providers in Durham, urging the city council for urgent transparency and action.

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Durham public health providers press city on HOPWA spending during CAPER hearing
At a public hearing on the city's CAPER, an HIV provider alleged lack of transparency and delays in HOPWA allocations; staff said funding was reallocated, periods of performance vary by program year, and provider changes and market conditions limited tenant-based rental assistance.
citizenportal.ai
December 22, 2025 at 4:47 PM
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The Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation is breaking barriers and transforming lives in Durham, guiding young men of color from struggle to success with powerful mentorship and career training.

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Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation empowers young men of color through career-focused support
Foundation supports boys and young men of color, guiding them to career success.
citizenportal.ai
September 23, 2025 at 12:23 PM
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Durham City Council is poised to tackle urgent community issues, from regulating wildlife feeding to enhancing tenant protections, after a pivotal work session.

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Durham City Council Debates Tenant Protection Ordinance Amid Concerns Over Preemption
Council considers ordinance allowing rent abatement for tenants in unsafe housing conditions.
citizenportal.ai
September 23, 2025 at 12:22 PM
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Durham City Council is taking bold steps toward sustainability with a new initiative to integrate nature into urban planning while tackling pressing community concerns.

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Durham City Council reviews South Ellerbe Wetland restoration progress and future plans
Council discusses updates on the South Ellerbe Wetland restoration project and construction timelines.
citizenportal.ai
September 23, 2025 at 12:21 PM
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Durham City Council members are rethinking economic prosperity, sparking a passionate debate on how to uplift all residents while acknowledging systemic barriers.

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Durham Council Discusses Economic Mobility and Shared Prosperity Strategies
Council members debate language and priorities for enhancing Durham's economic mobility and prosperity.
citizenportal.ai
September 20, 2025 at 5:41 PM
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Durham City Council just approved a pivotal annexation that could reshape urban development and community spaces—will it meet the residents' needs?

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Durham City Council Approves Annexation of Briar Creek for Development
Council unanimously adopts ordinance for annexation and development of Durham Gateway at Briar Creek.
citizenportal.ai
September 3, 2025 at 10:51 PM
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As traffic woes plague Durham, a surprising alliance forms over the Beacon properties development, igniting hope for a brighter urban future.

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Resident Supports Beacon Properties Development Amid Traffic Concerns in Local Meeting
Community member endorses Beacon properties as suitable land use despite traffic challenges.
citizenportal.ai
September 3, 2025 at 10:50 PM