North County neighbors, the Durham municipal election is over. The results are a mixed bag.
One of the best defenders of our environment and open spaces both within and outside the city limits was defeated. Given the fact that DeDreana Freeman was ruthlessly targeted by proponents of massive development and subjected to accusations ranging from gross exaggerations to complete falsehoods (Remember “Griselda?” https://savedurham.com/2025/07/19/fakes-and-liars-everywhere/), it’s amazing DeDreana lost by only a few percentage points to an opponent with a massive campaign budget. DeDreana will be back in some leadership role but it’s on us to save Durham now.
On the other hand, one of the “always yessers,” to any development proposal, Mark Anthony Middleton, was also booted.
Has the majority changed? Middleton’s replacement, Shanetta Burris, is a bright young political organizer. She promises to be a good addition to the council who will listen to citizens, do her homework, and properly scrutinize development applications. I believe she will find her council mentors in Nate Baker and Chelsea Cook, who easily won election to the seat she had been filling as an appointee.
My major concern about Matt Kopac is that he chose to run against DeDreana Freeman, the most passionate environmentalist on the council. Why would he target her unless he wanted to stop holding developers accountable? I’ve seen articles describing Kopac as “pro-development,” but he has a long history, including ten years at Burt’s Bees, as a “sustainability” advisor. Frankly, I’m not sure whether a sustainability officer for corporations is really intended to minimize their products’ damage to the environment or to provide an environmental beard while the companies continue their polluting ways. Which are you, Matt?
While on the Planning Commission, Kopac sometimes voted against developers in unanimous “no” votes, but if there was a split vote he was usually on the developer’s side. If he is sincere in his environmental, sustainability, claims, he should be appalled at the thousands of acres of forests that have been mass graded away in Durham. Kopac will choose whether to sustain the 4-3 pro-development majority or whether to listen to the smart growth three, Baker, Cook and Burris. Time will tell.
Meanwhile, pay attention because there are some critical votes coming up.
On December 15th the City Council will vote on whether to allow an 81 unit donut hole development to be annexed into the city even though it is located entirely beyond the Urban Growth Boundary and would have no physical connection to Durham. This violates the Comprehensive Plan in multiple ways, especially the UGB and the provisions against donut hole annexation. “Hamlin Reserve” would be a mini Treyburn and a dangerous precedent for the future of north Durham County. For more information and to comment on this proposal go to
If at all possible, attend the public hearing on December 15th. Second best, register to participate by zoom. On the City Council website, “Go to the meeting agenda and register using the Zoom link located at the top of the agenda by 2 p.m. the day of the meeting. During the meeting, you will be acknowledged when it’s your turn to speak.”
The development community is behind a complete rewrite of the Uniform Development Ordinance which will be voted on by the City Council and the County Commissioners in early 2026. Among other gifts to developers the new UDO would upzone all of Durham up to the Urban Growth Boundary to allow 200,000 new housing units. Keep in mind that the State Office of Budget and Management and Durham’s Planning Department have projected that Durham needs 60,000 new housing units BY THE YEAR 2050, and that includes all the units that have been built and approved since 2020. In fact, the entire projected need of 60,000 new units has already been met, counting new units already built, those under construction, and those already approved. DURHAM IS BEING OVERBUILT.
Upzoning most of the county to allow 200,000 additional units starting now means that almost all residential development in Durham would be “by right,” eliminating the need for public hearings or any approval from our elected officials. Almost all applications would be administratively processed within the planning department without the knowledge of the public. Single family developments are disfavored so large apartment complexes and townhomes will blanket all space up to the UGB. Because they never have enough, developers will push to redraw the boundary or eliminate it.
If the upzone is passed it can never be undone. Density can be increased by local government but it cannot be decreased. A recent state law bars any reduction in allowed density without a landowner’s permission.
If you don’t want north Durham to become the next southeast Durham, plan to be present at hearings and make your voice heard. Details on how to do that will be published as the hearing schedule is set.
Meanwhile, the following posts are worth reviewing:
Save Durham 