[Durham INC] FW: Durham Planning Department Quarterly October 2011

Tue Oct 4 18:37:05 EDT 2011

This is probably on the website somewhere, but I'm too lazy to go look for it.  Note stories on mixed use and on yard sales.

Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2011 14:50:39 -0400
To: pats1717 at hotmail.com
From: RWadegriffin at gmail.com
Subject: Durham Planning Department Quarterly October 2011

Monday, October 3, 2011

To visit the department website Click here.

Fayetteville Street-University Land Use Update

The Fayetteville Street-University Land Use Update is a close look at zoning and land use policy in the northern portion of the Fayetteville Street Corridor.  It has four main goals:

Update the Future Land Use Map for the area;
Update the zoning for the area;
Install a new zoning district, University-College 2, for the North Carolina Central University Campus;
Analyze methods for removal of the 1964 North Carolina College Redevelopment Plan.Work on the Land Use Update began in the summer of 2007. The first public meeting was held in the winter of 2008.  Since then, six more public meetings and workshops have taken place in an effort to gain input from residents and create a vision for the area.  The Fayetteville Street-University Land Use Update was adopted by City Council on September 19, 2011. Implementation of the plan is set to begin in the fall of 2011.

Ninth Street Plan Update

The text amendment and zoning map change for the Ninth Street Compact Design District went before the Planning Commission in August. A number of people from the area, including property owners, developers, and neighbors, were on hand. Those attending the public hearing both
expressed support and raised concerns regarding the proposal. The Planning Commission continued the case until their October meeting in order to allow staff time to work with stakeholders to seek resolution to the issues that were raised. For more information on the proposed text amendment, zoning map change or the issues raised at Planning Commission, please contact Lisa Miller at lisa.miller at durhamnc.gov or 919-560-4137x28270. For reference purposes, the Text Amendment case number is TC1000005 and the Zoning Map Change is
Z1000017.

Mixed Use Update

Since the Mixed Use Update Visioning Workshop in May of this year, staff has been exploring policy and development tools to achieve the vision expressed by stakeholders. Several focus groups convened to discuss location criteria and how to guide mixed use development towards suitable areas of Durham. The next public workshop will be held this fall. Details will be posted along with other updates on our website.

2011 Durham Trails and Greenways Master Plan Update 

The Durham City-County Planning Department has completed a draft of the 2011 Durham Trails and Greenways Master Plan update. This update makes current the Trails and Greenways Master Plan adopted in 2001. The Durham Open Space and Trails Commission (DOST) and its Trails Committee, in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department, have updated the plan to reflect changes in trail construction practices, trail priorities, and the
addition of new trails. Changes were also made to better coordinate with the adopted Durham Walks Plan and the Comprehensive Bike Plan. New trails and greenways with neighborhood connectors have been added to the maps within the plan along with more flexible language and more user friendly mapping. An important step in updating the adopted 2001 Trails and Greenways Master Plan was having it reviewed by various community groups and DOST. The Department would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone
involved.

FEATURED ITEM

What the Planning Department Does:
The Policy Section

The Policy Section of the Durham City-County Planning Department is responsible for long range and comprehensive planning. The Section is the primary "keeper" of the Durham Comprehensive Plan. It handles all proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and the Future Land Use Map.  One major project that the Section is currently leading is an update of the entire Comprehensive Plan. The most recent Durham Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2005. Since the City and County have changed significantly since then, the update is intended to bring the Plan's policies more in line with existing conditions and future goals.

In addition to the Comprehensive Plan, the Policy Section manages other projects that concentrate on the long range vision for Durham. To that end, the Policy Section is responsible for small area plans, such as Land Use Updates and Compact Neighborhood Plans. These focus on a specific area, such as the Fayetteville Street Corridor or Ninth Street. Land Use Updates examine the land use and zoning patterns of a particular area to address any existing policies that may be out of date or not reflective of current conditions and future goals. The most recent example was the  Fayetteville Street-University Land Use Update adopted on September 19, 2011. 

The Policy Section is also the main liaison with City, County, and regional partners for a future mass transit system.  In order for such a system to function well, the land use surrounding the proposed stations have to support them. Compact Neighborhood Plans are plans for the areas around future transit stations. The first of these, the Ninth Street Plan, was adopted in 2008.  Future Compact Neighborhood Plans will be undertaken as the vision and implementation plan for transit comes into better focus.

One additional long range facet that the Policy Section addresses is open space. Section staff has completed three open space plans to date. Those are the New Hope Corridor Open Space Plan, the Eastern Durham Open Space Plan, and the Little River Open Space Plan.  Work continues on the Durham Urban Open Space Plan.

The Policy Section also addresses regulations and policy research regarding various other issues related to land use and development in Durham. These include affordable housing, environmental regulations, and changes in state law. The Policy Section is also responsible for all demographic research and analysis for the department.

The Policy Section does not work on these projects in isolation. Like any successful organization, the Durham City-County Planning Department operates on a team basis, with its various sections sharing ideas and expertise.  For example, the Urban Design Section has been instrumental in creating the Urban Open Space Plan and implementing the Ninth Street Plan.  Staff members from the Research and Development Review Sections have provided expertise and advice regarding environmental regulations, and the Comprehensive Plan Update is a true team effort with representatives from all sections participating.

If you would like to learn more about any of the current projects being undertaken by the Policy Section, contact the following individuals:
Future Land Use Map Amendments and Transit Planning: Hannah Berg;
Small Area and Compact Neighborhood Plans: Aaron Cain;
Comprehensive Plan Update and Demographics: Laura Woods;
Open Space and Environmental Planning: Helen Youngblood

Landlord Training Program

The Durham City-County Planning Department's Zoning Enforcement Section is taking part in the City's new Landlord Training Program.

The Landlord Training Workshop is designed to assist landlords, property managers, resident managers, and others who are actively involved in managing rental housing.

The Program has two focal points:
Encourage effective property management that will significantly contribute to safe and decent housing, which will improve the health of the community
Legitimate techniques to halt illegal activity on rental property 
Workshop Topics will include:
The Community Approach: Building landlord, renter, homeowner, and business relationships
Applicant screening techniques
Rental agreements and fair housing issues
Management techniques
The eviction process
Achieving a stable, satisfied tenant base
Maintaining property to habitable standards
City code enforcement 
The City of Durham has embarked on a campaign to address and revitalize neighborhoods through the Neighborhood Pride Alliance Initiative. The focus of this initiative, as it relates to rental housing, is to develop vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods and to engage property owners in the process. The Landlord Training Workshop is a joint effort between the community and the City of Durham Departments of Neighborhood Improvement Services, Police, Solid Waste Management, Community Development, Water Management, Public Works (Stormwater Services Division), and Durham City-County Planning.

For more information and details, please contact Lynwood Best at 560-1647 x34254

Regulations for Residential Yard Sales and Yard Sale Signs

While yard sales are a great way to clean out a garage or attic and make some extra cash, there are regulations that should be followed. The Durham City-County Unified Development Ordinance regulates yard sales and signs associated with yard sales.

Residential yard sales are permitted if they meet the following standards:

All sales activities occur in daylight hours and on no more than two consecutive days;
Display of goods occurs outside only on the day of the sale; and
No more than four sales shall occur on any single site in any calendar year, with a minimum of four months between sales. 
Yard sale signs are permitted if they meet the following standards:

The sign shall not exceed four feet in height and six square feet in area;
Signs are limited to one sign per post/site;
Such signs may be erected five days prior to an event and shall be removed within two days after the event; and
Signs shall not be attached to utility poles. 

Planning Staff Moving On

Landy Void, Certified Zoning Officer in the Zoning Enforcement Section of the Department, retired at the end of July. Landy began his career with the City as a police officer, before transferring to the Planning Department where he has served for the remainder of his time with the City. Outside of being a City employee, Landy is a devoted father and grandfather. He has also served as pastor of New Shiloh Holy Church for
many years as well as being the founder and lead singer of the gospel group, The Void Brothers. We know he is looking forward to devoting more time to his family and his church.

Julia Mullen, a planner in the Research Section, has left the Planning Department to return to New Mexico where she lived for many years.  Julia has handled text amendments for Planning since 2007, and prior to that was a program analyst with the City's Solid Waste Management Department for two years.  She is an attorney and found her previous experience as a state regulator to be useful in both City positions.  She wishes all of her colleagues and collaborators all of the best.

Both Landy and Julia were great assets to the Durham City-County Planning Department and will be missed. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

IN THIS ISSUE

Fayetteville Street-University Land Use Mixed Update

Ninth Street Plan Update

Mixed Use Update

2011 Durham Trails and Greenways Master Plan

Featured Item:
What the Planning Department Does:
The Policy Section

Landlord Training Program

Regulations for Residential Yard Sales and Yard Sale Signs

Planning Staff Moving On

Hot Items

Stay In Touch

Planning Terms

Staff Profile

HOT ITEMS

October is Community Planning Month

The Planning Department is celebrating Community Planning Month this October in several ways. The City Council and the Board of Commissioners have been asked to proclaim October 2011 as Community Planning Month. We will also be working with nearby schools to provide some planning-based activities for students during this month. The purpose of Community Planning Month is to highlight the contributions that planning makes to our community and environment. It also provides an opportunity to recognize those who have invested time and expertise in the improvement of Durham. Thus, we would like to thank the members of our appointed and elected boards for lending their time and talents to make Durham a better place to live and work.

STAY IN TOUCH

Contact Us

Organization Directory Sign-Up Form

Take Our Customer Service Survey

Subscribe to this newsletter

USEFUL LINKS

Comprehensive Plan

Customer Service Center

Land Development Office

Staff Directory

Unified Development Ordinance

Zoning Atlas

PLANNING TERMS

Here we take a moment to define what are common terms for planners, but may make no sense to the rest of the world.

"Mixed Use"

Mixed use has recently become a topic of great interest. As we discussed in a previous newsletter, land use refers to the many different activities that occur in a given area. Hence, mixed use can be defined simply as any mix of land uses on a specific site, development, or even within a single structure. Though many may not be aware of it, mixed use is a concept familiar throughout the world. Many large cities such as New York have buildings with retail on the first floor with office and/or residential above. This is the first thing that comes to mind for most people when discussing mixed use. This type of mixed use, known as vertical mixed use, is the most recognized. It can exist in other forms as well. A transit oriented suburban development with office over commercial surrounded
by townhomes would be a mixed use development designed to encourage the use of a transit line as well as walkability. Prior to the 20th century, the practice of mixed use was commonplace. In the years from the advent of zoning until around the 1970’s, the practice of building vertically mixed use buildings waned in favor of separate single use zones. In recent years, with more people moving out of the suburbs into more urban areas, and the desire for walkable communities on the rise, more and more interest has been shown in mixed use development. Whether they are single structures or entire planned communities, mixed use is an important tool in the planning of our city’s future. As such, our department has been working to define, regulate, and encourage successful mixed use development in an effort to better our community. If you are interested in
more on this topic, read the Mixed Use Update to the left, click on the link, and learn more about what we are working on and how you can get involved.

STAFF PROFILE

Ralphele Reels is a native of Beaufort, NC, where he attended East Carteret High School.  After graduating, he served as chairman of the Board of Directors for Carteret County Community Action, Inc. from 1983 to 1985.
In 1986, Ralphele started working for the City of Durham as a housing code inspector where he stayed for nine years. During that time, he assisted in drafting the City of Durham’s Minimum Housing Code. He then moved on to the cemetery manager position operating both Maplewood and Beechwood Cemeteries.  In that position, Ralphele was responsible for managing a staff of 18, while also overseeing the administrative, operations, and budget elements of the cemeteries.
In 1998, he was promoted to enterprise fund manager where he was responsible for managing both cemeteries as well as the grounds maintenance for all City-owned parks and City Hall. He later oversaw the management of the City's parking decks.
Ralphele holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College as well as a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from North Carolina Central University.
Ralphele completed the Municipal Administration Course at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He later taught a course for two years on the subjects of housing code and zoning enforcement.
Ralphele has been in the Planning Department for eight years. He is currently a Senior Planner in the Zoning Enforcement Division.
Ralphele enjoys spending his free time walking, reading, visiting parks and zoos, and fishing. He also enjoys spending time at the beach and in the mountains.

Published by Durham City-County Planning Department -101 City Hall Plaza - Durham, NC 2701 - 919-560-4137

 This message was sent to pats1717 at hotmail.com from:
 Wade Griffin | Durham City County Planning
101 City Hall Plaza | Durham, NC 27701

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