George King Road Project Would Add Up to 340 Units

Leigh Valley, a community that would include as many as 340 townhouses, multiplex, or apartment units, is proposed for 28.57 acres along George King Road. It’s on the Planning Commission agenda for Feb. 13.

The current zoning is residential suburban and, if approved, would be changed to residential compact with a development plan. The applicant is listed as Laura Holloman of McAdams.

Of those 340 housing units, 3% (about 10) would be committed as income-restricted affordable housing for households earning no more than 80% of the area median income for no less than 20 years, according to the zoning map change report. Under the comprehensive plan, it would be more consistent to offer at least 20% affordable housing.

Schools served by the proposed neighborhood include Creekside Elementary, Githens Middle, and Jordan High School, potentially adding 106 students.

Farrington Road is identified as the major thoroughfare affected by the proposed change. The NC 54/I-40 Corridor Study proposes multiple roadway, transit, pedestrian, and bicycle-related improvements in the area. However, currently, transit service is not provided within one-quarter mile of the site.

The plan includes environmental commitments to use two extra stormwater control measures, mitigate runoff rate on the site, and using only native species in buffers and tree replacement areas. The developer also committed to a one-time donation of $5,000 to Durham Public Schools.

The zoning map change report indicates that the proposal is consistent with 19 of 24 applicable policies under the new comprehensive plan. To be consistent with place type, “staff encourage and advise the applicant to commit to additional transit-oriented design commitments within the development plan rezoning, as well as including an additional office, civic, or commercial use.”

The project would build-out in 2026. Leigh Valley would generate an estimated 132 more morning peak-hour vehicle trips and 171 peak-hour trips in the afternoon, according to a traffic impact analysis.

The Planning Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. in the first floor council chamber in City Hall, 101 City Hall Plaza.

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