Maybe this is a done deal. However, my thinking is that if enough of us show up we may be able to reduce the harm. We may be able to save some of Durham, some of north county. It’s like the lottery – the odds are against us but if we don’t play we absolutely won’t win.
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 over the next few months. 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 NOW.
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, if you want to ask the planning department questions about the new UDO you can meet with planners at our public libraries:
- Where: Durham County Main Library, 300 N Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27701, Main Entrance/2nd-floor lobby
- When:
- First Thursdays 3PM-6PM*
- Third Thursdays 10AM-1PM
Note: Planning & Development staff will not have Office Hours on January 1, 2026 due to the holiday.
Newly added office hours:
- Tuesday, January 27 12:30PM-3PM, North Regional Library (221 Milton Road, Durham, NC 27712) Meeting Room
- Thursday, January 29 3PM-5:30PM, South Regional Library (4505 South Alston Avenue, Durham, NC 27713) Meeting Room
- Tuesday, February 3 3PM-5:30PM, East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane, Durham, NC 27703) Meeting Room
Save Durham 