**Update: the City Council voted in favor of the Ninth Street plan as originally proposed and agreed to by OWDNA**
There is a critical City Council vote this Tuesday, January 17, on the recomendation of the planning staff to adpot the Ninth Street Plan, turning it into the UDO (uniform development ordiance). Below is the message from Brett Walters, the President of the OWDA Neighborhod Association, which I am reposting in full. This community has always been at the forefront of civic engagement, and I hope that our readers will consider attending this important vote and voicing their support for turning the Ninth Street Development Plan into reality. The failure to do so could open our neighborhood to large-scale development, obliterating the character and charm of this place and turning us into another generic development with no soul. The full message is after the break.
Friends,
This coming Tuesday, January 17, the Durham City Council has the
opportunity to turn the Ninth Street Plan into reality. With your help, we
believe the City Council can be convinced to adopt the Ninth Street Plan
into the UDO (Uniform Development Ordinance) and thus take a huge step in
preserving the historical charm of Ninth Street while at the same time
allowing for reasonable development that remains in character with our
neighborhood.
Over the last year the Ninth Street Plan has been met with opposition by
some members of the development community, and the last vote by the
Planning Commission included modifications to the Plan that favor a single
development to the detriment of the whole District. *Thus we really need
your help.* We are asking you to support the recommendation of the
Planning Staff, which includes all of the elements of the current Ninth
Street Plan, plus a few additional points (see details below).
*Please do one or more of the following:*
1. *Please send a short/positive email as soon as you get a chance to
council@ci.durham.nc.us [bcc: b <bwatu@yahoo.com>rettwwalters@
*
2. *Show up to the City Council meeting 7PM Tuesday, January 17*
3. *Ask your friends and neighbors to attend the meeting*
4. *Plan to speak at the City Council meeting*
Here is sample text for an email:
*Please vote in favor of the Ninth Street Plan as proposed by the Planning
staff. I believe that the Planning's staff's proposal, unaltered, will
provide better development outcomes in the neighborhood, and benefit all
stakeholders. The Planning Staff's recommendation is supported by the
neighborhoods, and follows the intent of the adopted Ninth Street Plan and
the adopted Comprehensive Plan. *
If you want to supplement this statement, please take a look at the
information and email below.
Don't hesitate to write me or call (919-672-2282) if you have any
questions. And thank you for your support and help in making years of
effort pay off!
--
Brett Walters, President
Old West Durham Neighborhood Association
Diversity, Harmony, Community
http://www.owdna.org/
*NINTH STREET PLAN:*
http://www.durhamnc.gov/
*COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES / NINTH STREET PLAN GOALS*
- Enhance street-level pedestrian experience: 24-hour uses, build-to
lines and architectural compatibility new/old, pedestrian mobility and
connectivity
- Mix of uses and higher densities to support transit; redefine parking
requirements
- Preserve character of adjacent neighborhoods
*PLANNING STAFF RECOMMENDATION ADDS THE FOLLOWING*
1. Minor minimum residential (8DU/acre) added to S2 (buffer) subdistrict
only, and only to 200,000sf or more
2. Wrapped parking decks in all zones
3. Some additional uses restricted in the whole Ninth Street District
(payday lending, etc).
4. Language clarified on building hts on E and W sides on Ninth St
5. Omit bonus for 'public art' that would allow developments to grow
taller (the Home Depot concrete lion gift)
6. Minor tweaks to form-based language- bay, articulation, etc.
7. Require light-spill regulations in S2 (buffer subdistrict)
*LETTERS TO DRAW ON FOR TALKING POINTS:*
------------------------------
Over the years, no neighborhood association in Durham has supported more
large, dense projects within their boundaries than Old West Durham.
We supported Station Nine apartments (740 people) and even asked the
Planning director at the time to move things along -- so the developers
wouldn't miss a deadline. OWDNA supported the new hotel at Erwin Square and
asked the developers if they could make it bigger. OWDNA supported the
high-density Circle apartments at Erwin Square and, again, accommodated the
developers so they could meet a tight deadline.
Back in the late-1990s, OWDNA started working with developer Glenn Dickson
on Ninth Street North. We strongly supported his project that now houses
One World Market. We nominated his brick building for a Golden Leaf Award
and were pleased when it won.
At the time, Glenn said he was going to build a new 45,000 sq ft building
across the street, which we supported. When Glenn later changed his mind,
and told us he wanted to double the size and build a 100,000 sq ft
building, we still supported his project.
When Glenn moved to get an exemption from the NC Environmental Management
Commission so he could build over a section of South Ellerbe Creek, we
stepped aside. When Glenn asked Council to give him the City alley in the
middle of his two properties (to avoid set-back limits on his project), we
supported his request.
Finally, after waiting years for his project get started, Glenn told us he
wanted to build a 220,000 sq ft building. After much discussion, OWDNA
decided to support his request and, as always, we worked out a set of
commitments (so we could put in writing what Glenn said he was going to
do).
Since this project had already jumped from 45,000 to 220,000 sq feet, these
binding commitments were critical in reaching a level of comfort to support
this large high-density building in the middle of our neighborhood.
It is therefore troubling to hear what these developers are trying to do --
right before your vote. Folks, enough is enough. Please support the
compromise proposed by staff and let's move on.
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