[Durham INC] FW: Open INC resolutions

Tue Aug 4 12:14:52 EDT 2015

Resolutions That Are Not Yet
Passed

Although
both the transit resolution (first one) and the compact design one address
communications at public meetings, the subjects of the meetings differ (routes
versus development near routes), the organizations hosting the meeting differ
(TTA versus Planning), and the remedies sought are not quite the same.  

Overarching
Resolution Regarding Rail Siting Process 

Whereas local and regional authorities including
GoTriangle (formerly Triangle Transit Authority), the City of Durham, the Town
of Chapel Hill, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning
Organization (DCHMPO), and the North Carolina Department of Transportation are
all presently engaged in forming plans for a proposed Durham-Orange Light Rail
line; 

Whereas neighborhoods and other groups continue to
have concerns with the proposed routes – safety of at-grade crossings, impact
on businesses, difficulties of pedestrian crossing, and
reach into the eastern part of the city – and would like to see these
concerns treated seriously;

Whereas there have been concerns about sharing of
working maps and other materials;

Whereas although it is clear GoTriangle staff has
worked hard to schedule public meetings and put a large amount of expertise and
effort into the presentations made at these meetings, citizens feel they
have not been listened to when they ask about anything other than the results
of staff studies;

Whereas meetings with neighborhoods and other
groups should be part of a dialogue where GoTriangle uses its expertise to meet
groups and individuals “where they are” and not opportunities to reiterate
reasons for supporting positions already taken;

Whereas INC has passed resolutions about a stop
east of Alston Avenue and the alignment near Little Creek; 

Whereas INC has passed resolutions in support of light
rail;

Be it resolved that:

 INC continues to endorse such improvements
     in our transportation system.
 GoTriange is encouraged to have more
     meaningful direct discussions with neighborhoods to address their
     concerns, using real world light rail examples and offering Youtube
     examples and specific examples from other transit systems, especially
     Charlotte.
 GoTriangle is encouraged to explore
     new ways to promote citizen involvement.
 Durham should proceed
     with plans to link the new Amtrak and bus stations with a pedestrian
     crosswalk as a downpayment against promises that transit expenditures will
     also benefit low-income residents that do not live in or immediately
     adjacent to downtown, and who rely on bus service linkage to rail.
      Failing that, other plans to serve low-income residents in
     meaningful manners should be accelerated so that the benefits of transit
     are shared more equitably.

Resolution
for a more inclusive, in-depth process for public involvement in planning
“Compact Neighborhoods” and “Compact Design Districts” with higher density
development zoning around proposed light rail stations in Durham (AKA
Resolution on Density around Rail Stations)

Whereas, in Spring and Summer 2015, Durham City and County staff
put
significant effort into the community meetings as part of the process of
planning “Compact Neighborhoods" with higher density development around
proposed light rail stations;

Whereas, residents, businesses and
institutions in and near proposed “Compact Neighborhoods” may be displaced with
the largest impact on lower income residents who would have the greatest
difficulty finding homes they can afford;

Whereas, many residents who live in “Compact
Neighborhoods” did not get mailed notices of these meetings;

Whereas public input was limited to drawing
lines for “Compact Neighborhoods,” with no discussion of the impact of high
density development on residents or how the public and residents would be
involved in planning for their neighborhoods in the future;

Whereas, the public has not seen an analysis
of the impact of higher density development already happening Downtown, 9th
Street, and Duke/VA Hospital;

Whereas, the plan for development around 9th
Street was aided immensely by participation and expertise from the community;

Whereas, new methods of public engagement are
being used across the country to create dialog within communities and increase
public knowledge, leaving them less dependent on outside experts (see Denver Example); 

Whereas, planning principles should support
neighborhood values, including neighborhood stability, character, and smooth
transitions among uses, and planning’s rule of drawing lines between back yards
does not support this value;

Whereas, Durham City-County Planning did not include adequate
neighborhood involvement in creating “Compact Neighborhoods” and has not
specified how the community would be involved in planning for “Compact Design
Districts;”

Whereas, once “Compact Design Districts” are
in place, the public will have no say in what is built;

Therefore, the InterNeighborhood Council (INC) of Durham
resolves that:

Before adopting plans for "Compact
Neighborhoods” with higher density development near future light rail stations,
we ask the City and County to:

1.    
Investigate
and implement best practices around the country for building a dialog among
members of the community as well as with experts;

2.     Inform
the public about the potential impact of higher density development, including
the effects of higher zoning, taxes, rents, and home prices on the stability of
local neighborhoods, small businesses, institutions, and residents;

3.     Involve
the public in a more inclusive, in-depth planning process with:

a.    
Neighborhood Planning Committees for each
transit station with members of local neighborhoods, businesses, institutions,
and residents who would be most affected by higher density development, andb.    
Training and involvement of community members in leadership of Neighborhood
Planning Committees. 

4.     Provide
equitable solutions to ensure that:

a.    
Neighborhoods stay stable and livable,b.    
Homeowners, home buyers, and renters can stay
in safe, sustainably affordable homes and have opportunities for new
homes they can afford long-term, c.    
Small businesses and local institutions can
continue and have options for comparable locations, andd.    
Residents can access light rail transit with
safe sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, and bus stations.

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