[Durham INC] Thank you (Duke Rezoning)

[John Schelp]

 Many thanks for your note, Jeannine. Much appreciated. I must say Duke's whole approach to these re-zoning cases is very disappointing.
Hiring lawyers to deal with the community is another wall raised by Duke.
When we worked with the Duke administration on the three campus re-zonings, we met with the Provost numerous times and walked into Council chambers with the Provost with an agreement in hand. Duke's Provost spoke at the podium, not some lawyer who says his "client understands the concerns of the community but never-the-less wants the vote to go forward as is" (paraphrasing). 
Duke's lawyer was asking for the vote to go forward on an application that ignores the community's most important concerns.

I also understand that no administrators/lawyers from Duke have reached out to community reps since the suggestion was made at the hearing "to work out something that is more agreeable to the community." 
This silence speaks volumes. 
This video, from right before the vote, is compelling. Duke needs to do better: https://youtu.be/ycfAKXThe6s?t=7130
Very best,John   
 
 Thank you for your support, John. Our neighborhood appreciates it.
While I have been disappointed with some of our conversations, I would like to make clear that we have had conversations both with Duke representatives, as well as their Morningstar attorney. 

We have made (and continue to make) a good faith effort to communicate with both Duke representatives and their Morningstar attorney. We have met with a good number of Duke folks, many of whom I can only say good things about. Still, the most recent revision of the application reflecting Duke's institutional priorities did not provide those commitments our neighborhood feels are necessary to maintain the safety, character, and quiet enjoyment of our Burch Avenue neighborhood.
Our neighborhood hopes to have the continued support of fellow Durham neighbors in INC as this process moves forward. We'll be in touch with updates!

Jeannine

On Tue, Apr 16, 2024 at 5:27 PM John Schelp via INC-list <inc-list at lists.deltaforce.net> wrote:

Thank you, Richard for taking the time to share these details with everyone. Very troubling that the Duke administration is no longer even talking with neighborhoods on these zoning issues, opting instead to hire lawyers.Killing regional rail, pulling funds from the Bull City Connector, driving gentrification and now hiring lawyers to oppose neighborhoods on zoning issues.Action speaks louder than words. Seems like Duke is doing all it can to undermine town-gown relations. -John Schelp

I want to thank everyone who wrote letters and/or came out last Tuesday night to speak against the Duke rezoning requests. 
The Planning Commission recommended not to approve the additions to East Campus UC(D) in an 8-1 vote, recommended not to approve the requested tier change, 5-4, but did recommend to approve the requested additions to Central Campus UC(D), again 8-1. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycfAKXThe6s


2:02:34 Vote on tier change fails (5-4 “no”)

2:03:59 Vote on East Campus additions to UC(D) fails (8-1 “no”)

2:21:30 Vote on Central Campus additions to UC(D) passes (8-1 “yes”)

I'm not sure if my emails to the INC listserv are getting through so I have BCC'd a few INC people. If any of you who I have BCC'd do not see something from me on the INC listserv, and you should have, please let me know.

Thanks!

Richard Ziglar
Burch Ave

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