Illustration by V.C. Rogers
Since a survey of Jordan Lake commissioned by developer Neal Hunter first surfaced at a commissioners' meeting last November (nearly three years after it was approved, without review, by former planning director Frank Duke), things have heated up slightly for Southern Durham Development. The company's proposed "751 Assemblage" mega-development hinges on Hunter's survey, which effectively places the project's 164 acres outside a 1-mile protected boundary surrounding Jordan Lake. Last month, the state Division of Water Quality approved the survey, which only examined the northeast corner of Jordan Lake, but urged Durham to "seek a regional and systematic approach to making future revisions." Now, both Durham City Council and the Board of County Commissioners must decide whether to approve corresponding revisions to Durham's Unified Development Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan, despite Southern Durham Development's recent efforts to forgo the required public meetings.
Why is Southern Durham Development afraid to face the music? For starters, the fact that Hunter owned the 164 acres his survey removed from the 1-mile protected area has not played particularly well with the public. (After securing approval from Duke, Hunter sold the property to Southern Durham Development, of which he is a minority shareholder.) But the company's recent attempts to avoid public hearings may further backfire, as public officials decide whether to approve several revisions in order to permit the development.
Recently, New Hope Creek Advisory Committee chair Robert Healy wrote to commissioners (DOC, 28KB) on his own behalf, urging them to reject the survey when it comes up for a vote: (after the jump)