sodu week in review

Morgan Farm, Bella Ridge, and Patterson Hall Await City Council Consideration

Plus, Creekside Elementary Needs Your Votes for a Bartaco teacher appreciation event!

Wes Platt

18 Apr 2026 — 5 min read

A few proposed Durham area developments are on the agenda for public hearings during the upcoming City Council meeting on Monday, April 20.

Morgan Farm

The follow-up effort from M/I Homes - the developer that proposed Sheffield Farms in the same area - would switch more than 218 acres of land along Farrington Mill Road from county to city jurisdiction for purposes of connecting to city water and sewer. But it may ultimately lead to use for either a conservation subdivision (with as many as 437 homes) or a conventional residential rural subdivision (with as many as 317 homes). Among the provisions offered in this application:

A $1-million one-time contribution to Durham's Dedicated Housing Fund.
$50,000 one-time contribution to Durham Public Schools.
$50,000 one-time contribution for a fire and emergency services grant.

Previously, the Planning Commission voted 9-0 against this proposal. However, the City Council isn't bound by that recommendation.

Bella Ridge

This development involves the proposed annexation and rezoning of 78 acres at 3013 Burton Rd., northeast of downtown Durham off Interstate 85. The applicant - Kate Murdoch with McAdams - wants to change from residential rural, commercial neighborhood, and residential suburban to planned development residential to allow as many as 300 dwelling units and a maximum of 5,000 square feet of nonresidential uses.

Previously, the Planning Commission voted 8-2 in favor of approving the project.

Patterson Hall

Tim Sivers of Qunity wants to rezone parcels west of Patterson Road to planned development residential to allow for as many as 180 townhouses, attached single-family, and detached single-family units, with up to 3,000 square feet of non-residential uses (excluding gas stations or drive-throughs).

The Planning Commission previously voted 9-0 against approval.

Wes Platt
Neighborhood News Guy

News from the Neighborhood

Creekside Teachers Seek Support for Bartaco Appreciation Event

Educators at Creekside Elementary School are in the running for a catered dining experience from Bartaco.

Anh Nguyen Lunsford let me know about the Teacher Appreciation Week Contest, which sees 10 schools across the country competing for votes until April 24. Creekside and Ephesus Elementary School in Chapel Hill are the only North Carolina schools on the ballot.

The three schools with the most votes will have a meal catered for up to 150 faculty. The winning schools will be announced on April 28. Teacher appreciation events will take place on May 6, 7, or 8, depending on coordination with schools.

Vote at this link.