The Leigh Village Center project originally started years ago with the introduction of the light rail project that was set to run through the city. That project ultimately failed. Now, residents of the Chapel Run community near NC 54 are opposed to how the current development plans are taking shape.
Despite the heavy objection of residents, the Leigh Village Center Project took a major step forward Monday night as the council passed the annexation by a 5-2 vote.
City Councilors approved the annexation and development of 81 acres off George King Road, Celeste Circle, and Macy Grove Drive
Councilors Chelsea Cook and Shanetta Burris were the two no votes.
Plans call for retail and office space along with more than 2,000 residential units.
Before the council voted, there was an hour-long public hearing where neighbors voiced their concerns with traffic being a major sticking point.
One by one, residents asked the council to oppose the annexation
"During the first public hearing, three access points for this development were discussed. Issues arose first with the lack of clarity over easement rights on George King Road. Second, with Crescent Drive residents unwilling to sell for the proposed Faulconbridge extension that eliminates yet another access point," said Ryan Stewart, who lives in one of the communities that could be affected by the project.
"Durham does not just need more housing. It needs housing that's responsibly integrated into infrastructure, environmental protections, and long-term community stability," said a resident identified as Mallory. "Solving one problem while worsening others without a clear path to resolution is not smart growth."
Some council members also voiced concerns, raising questions about the project's timeline, affordability, the capacity to handle more growth, and the traffic.
"I think the traffic concerns are real, which can impact people's quality of life," said Councilor Matt Kopac. "It's hard thinking about the trade-offs of that sometimes, with meeting housing needs, promoting that connectivity..Working toward that 15-minute city."
But ultimately, developers got their way.
"It's the best rezoning and annexation case that I've seen since 2017," said Councilor Nate Baker. "There are commitments to affordability in the apartments, affordable in the townhomes, not just right-of-way dedication, which we've so often received, but actual construction of greenways, high-quality design materials, townhomes."
According to the developers, this project could take 10 to 15 years to complete.
"It seems as though they were holding out for this big project," said former Chapel Run HOA president Jack McGrath. "Cut a fat hog and instead of selling it for a smaller project. We're kind of a hidden little enclave here, and nobody even knows we're here."
According to complaints from the HOA to Durham city leaders, via attorney, residents within Chapel Run are displeased with the developer's handling of certain issues -- including nearby George King Road, which buffers the project opposite Celeste Circle.
Residents fight incoming development on Chapel Hill-Durham border
Homeowner Wendy Woodall said the opposition is not about not wanting more development to come. But rather, how the area plans to deal with the influx of new residents with existing infrastructure.
"It's about it being done in a planned-out strategic way vs. sticking it there and then figuring out how everybody is going to get there later," Woodall stressed. "So right now, they're going to do this and then figure out how to get all the other cars there. And I think that's backwards."
Representatives for the engineering firm could not be reached Monday.
"We've got to reassess after tonight and see what happens," Woodall said.
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