[Durham INC] Outcome + invite re: UDO proposal tree/open space & affordable housing amendment, planning commision mtg last Tues night

[Debra Hawkins]

Hi neighbors, sharing a response/letter sent to some residents who weighed
in on the planning commission meeting on UDO text amendment for affordable
housing guidelines/provisions Tuesday night with messages. Gives many useful
details, what was decided at the end of the meeting, what will happen next
now to August 11, and invitations to check for, comment on, and take part in
working/community meetings related to the measure in that timeframe. 

 

Happy for this message to be shared further with any groups, people who may
also have an interest. Apologies if any duplicate postings. Many thanks, DAH

--------------------------------------

From: Tom Miller <tom-miller1 at nc.rr.com <mailto:tom-miller1 at nc.rr.com> >
Date: June 10, 2020 at 7:04:45 PM EDT
Subject: RE:  Green space ordinances 

Thanks for your message.  Yesterday, the Durham Planning Commission was
overwhelmed by a virtual blizzard of messages opposing the open space and
tree coverage changes on our agenda last night - so many that I was not able
to respond to them all before the meeting started.  I am still trying to
connect with everyone today.

About 35 members of the public attended the virtual hearing and many spoke
against the proposal.  When the commission members got a chance to discuss
the proposal, they decided to return it to the committee of commission
members that had been created in February when the measure first came to the
commission's attention.  That committee was charged with looking at the
proposed changes in depth with staff and stakeholders.  The committee was
asked to develop a united Planning Commission response to the requested
changes to send on to the City Council and Board of County Commissioners who
will make the final decision on the request.  Unfortunately, the committee
was able to meet only once before the coronavirus shut down our ability to
meet safely.

Now that the General Assembly has adopted laws giving government agencies
clear guidance on virtual public meetings, the Planning Commission has
resumed its work.  Last night, the Commission decided to use its virtual
meeting capability to continue the work of the committee on this open space
and trees proposal.  The committee will meet tomorrow to set up a schedule
of meetings to finish its work.  The committee meetings will be open to the
public and all persons with an interest in this set of proposed changes to
Durham's zoning rules will be able to attend and participate.  The committee
is chaired by Ms. Hyman, the current chair of the Planning Commission.  I
will be acting as vice-chair.  The other members of the committee are Ms.
Williams, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Lowe, and Mr. Kenchen.  When the schedule of
meetings is established it will be posted on the Planning Commission's
webpage with information about how to sign in.

I urge you stay involved and to attend the committee's meetings if you are
able.  The committee's goal is to report back to the full Planning
Commission by August 11.  It is not for me to gainsay the committee or the
commission, but the message from the citizens was heard last night and will
certainly shape the decisions we make.

Please feel free to communicate your comments and concerns to me at any
time.

Tom Miller
Planning Commission member

tom-miller1 at nc.rr.com <mailto:tom-miller1 at nc.rr.com> 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.deltaforce.net/pipermail/inc-list/attachments/20200611/a6fa1177/attachment.htm>