[Durham INC] February delegate meeting minutes

Tue Apr 28 06:58:23 EDT 2020

I am re-sending in advance of tonight's zoom-based meeting.  Regards, pat

________________________________
From: INC-list <inc-list-bounces at lists.deltaforce.net> on behalf of Pat Carstensen <pats1717 at hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 5:48 AM
To: inc listserv <inc-list at lists.deltaforce.net>
Subject: [Durham INC] February delegate meeting minutes

Thanks fo Jose and Philip for taking notes.  Please let me know about any additions or corrections.  Regards, pat

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February Delegate Meeting of the InterNeighborhood Council of Durham

Golden Belt

February 25, 2020

Attending the meeting were:
Neighborhoods

Argonne Hills – Arienne Cheek, Christine Benson

Braggtown – Vannessa Mason Evans, Constance Wright

Forest Hills – Maureen Berry

Horton Hills – Chris Hodgson

Old West Durham – Vicky Welch

Trinity Park – Philip Azar

Trappers Creek / Greymoss – Will Wilson

Tuscaloosa-Lakewood – Susan Sewell

Watts Hospital Hillandale – Tom Miller

Woodcroft – Jose Sandoval

Visitors

Annette Smith – DPR and Durham Parks Foundation

Lynwood Best – NIS

Howard Machtinger – Durham City Racial Equity Task Force (RETF)

James Tabron – RETF

Jessica Luginbuhl – RETF

Kaaren Haldeman – RETF

Elaine O’Neal – RETF

Emily Coward – RETF

Koren Lu – RETF

Sydney Miller – Department of Water Management

President Will Wilson welcomed those present; folks introduced themselves.  Tom Miller moved to approve the minutes, Philip Azar seconded and the minutes were approved.  There were no adjustments to the agenda.

Sydney Miller of the Department of Water Management said that the overall picture on water supply is good.  We have two reservoirs and an allocation from Jordan Lake, the three of which have supplied 26-27 million gallons per year in recent years.  The allocation from Jordan is via three connections with Cary and Apex for potable water, which makes it expensive.  Using Jordan water in last couple years has been not just from drought, but also to let us do some work on our processing plants.  Water Management is engaged in a long-term water supply plan as part of the comprehensive plan and with the two Metropolitan Planning Areas (DCHC and Raleigh, which gets 100% of the water in Falls Lake).  They are also doing an econometric model, something that has not previously been done; it will take into account climate forecasts and in-flow modeling.  Durham is the major partner in the Western Intake Partnership, which may replace or supplement the allocation through Cary.  The Tier Quarry and Eno Intake are faster options; they assume resolution of support from various other municipalities and favorable resolution from the Department of Environmental Quality, and would expand areas that are designated “critical” (that is, need additional protection) in the land-use plans.  Declining residential use per capita has helped keep demand relatively constant in spite of our increased population.  Responding to concerns about another drought, we have updated the water shortage response plan, with models that would have called for restrictions earlier than we did in the last drought and for greater storage.  We have increased drastically how much we can do to analyze water quality so are finding “new contaminants” that have probably always been there; however, our water is relatively free of emerging contaminants.

The Racial Equity Taskforce (RETF) is a diverse, volunteer group appointed by the city, with a mission statement being “The purpose of the Racial Equity Taskforce is to engage with the broader Durham community to address issues of racial equity through education of inequitable circumstances, research of best practices and issue policy/funding recommendations and to address racial inequity in the community and governmental entities.”  Further they define racial equity as follows: “The RETF defines racial equity as working in community with the goal to create a city in which our residents’ experiences and outcomes with Durham’s political, economic, social and cultural institutions are no longer predicated by race.”  They are looking for input into subcommittees such as the Health and Environment Committee.

Old Business/New Business

Carver St Assemblage (Braggtown) development – The attendees from Carver St. Assemblage (Braggtown) are not ready to discuss their proposal. This will be done in a future meeting, hopefully next month.

On Parks and Rec, Annette announced the opening of a playground in Lakeview Park. There will be a formal opening and celebration on Community Day set for June 13th. Two proposals have been disseminated: a habitat restoration and tree planting around the park and neighborhoods.

Black Meadow Ridge development – Christie Benson reported that the proposed development, which is south of Eno Park, is going through an administrative review.    The group is expressing concerns on two fronts: first, environmental impact and effects on the watershed, second is the zoning history.  

  *   The neighbourhood had a meeting with Planning Director Patrick Young.  Mr. Young examined a plan submitted in the late 1970’s, and there is no resolution at this point.
  *   On the environmental effect, Christie asked for advice on how best to approach deciding bodies: planning commission, JCCP and others.   
  *   There are three wetlands. A road is needed to access the parcels, which affects the wetlands. The wetland is identified as Federal national wetlands although there is a new definition for wetlands which is more sympathetic to developers, so the group wonders about existing federal regulations on wetland.  In the case of this development, the wetlands are connected to a creek year-round. There is also a large pond next to a stream connected to another wetland.  On the other side of the wetland is Warren Creek, also adjacent to another wetland.
  *   This is all in the vicinity of the Historic mill in West Point.
  *   The developer is using multiple LLC names.
  *   The developer could buy a church lot. There is an underground tank with hydrocarbons that could be released to a creek (on Roxboro before 7 Oaks). The developer will have to build a road in that section which would go over the wetland.
  *   City storm water division did an Eno study of the watershed. It recommended a protection plan.  It identified parcels which are keystone properties to protect the watershed.
  *   The City comprehensive plan designated the area as low density.
  *   Species have been identified potentially in danger category (birds).
  *   There is a historic African American cemetery (Holman Family). There are seven or eight marked graves about 20 feet from lot line. Impervious surfaces could flood the cemetery.

Annette added that there may be historic preservation rules (from the State) which may play a role. Susan, added that storm water agency could be involved, because of issues of preservation and flooding.

There was not report on Engage Durham/Comp Plan Update.

There were no Neighborhood Reports and Announcements

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.

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