Petition for Equitable Development in Bragtown: Durham, NC

by | Aug 30, 2020

AUG 19 UPDATE —

Dear Braggtown residents and Durham neighbors,
Braggtown won the first round of the fight for equitable development in our neighborhood! Last week, Durham’s City/County Planning Commission unanimously voted NO against a huge development proposed for Braggtown.

First and most importantly, we want to say THANK YOU to everyone who signed our petition, spoke at the Commission meeting and supported our cause. This victory would not be possible without your voice and your energy.

But our fight is not over. Durham’s City Council will make the final decision on this development. Once the City Council meeting for this development is scheduled, we will call on you to support Braggtown again.

For now, please share our petition for equitable development in Braggtown so we can build our network and momentum leading up to this crucial City Council meeting.

With gratitude,
Vanessa Evans, Chair, Braggtown Community Association
Constance Wright, Vice Chair, Braggtown Community Association

 

SIGN THE PEITION

We the undersigned members and friends of the Bragtown Community Association respectfully request that you consider our recommendations related to the proposed developments at the Carver Street Assemblage. This includes the two residential rezoning proposals of 130 acres and 43 acres, as well as the commercial projects at the Catsburg Store lot and across Old Oxford Rd. near the Carver/Hamlin intersection.

While we understand that there are not legal methods for requiring developers to adopt many of the recommendations below, we know that the needs of long-time Durham residents are often not well represented in the development process. We also know that for 30% of Durham households, only 17% of rentals in 2019 were actually affordable. We propose prioritizing housing for no- and low-income households, and working to keep historically Black neighborhoods, like Braggtown, strong and intact.

Recommendations:

Affordable Housing:

  • Commitment that at least 50% of the residential units will be affordable for residents in this area of Braggtown. Meaning the rent or mortgage payment would be $850/month or less.
  • Developers agree to increase their donation to the Affordable Housing Fund by 20%.

Community Benefits:

  • Developers donate $500 per residential unit to support community resources and projects such as:
    – Support for the creation of bus shelters where needed.
    – Support for community-led public art projects and community-
    led gardening projects.
    – Support for our neighborhood library.
    – Support for the creation of a neighborhood-based community            center.

Public Safety:

  • Developers agree to extend sidewalks in the current Braggtown community, including:
    – Along Old Oxford Rd. from Danube Ln. to Carver St.
  • Developers welcome all Braggtown residents into park areas and public green spaces. We believe that outreach to current Braggtown residents and residents of the new developments is needed to create a community that is truly welcoming to all.

Environmental Protection:

  • Increase tree save area to 35% (from the legal requirement of 20%) including 500 feet of protected natural area around all streams and wetlands. “Tree save” areas should be constituted of existing forested areas (versus cleared and replanted areas).
  • Prioritize preservation of contiguous areas of existing forest.
  • Creation of protected areas for preservation of endangered plant species on-site.
  • Ensure 100 year flood protections as described in Durham’s Comprehensive Plan.

SIGN THE PEITION