What Does the Future Hold for RTP South?

Change may be coming to 458 acres known as Research Triangle Park (RTP) South, between NC Highway 54, Davis Drive, Hopson Road, and South Miami Boulevard.

The Durham City-County Planning Department is proposing a zoning change that would “encourage transit-oriented development; support future publicly-funded multimodal projects (like bus rapid transit, passenger rail, or bicycle and pedestrian improvements); and promote equitable development using the affordable housing density bonus,” according to the rezoning information website.

Staff proposes changing the zoning classification from a combination of light industrial, industrial park, commercial center, office and institutional, commercial general, mixed use, commercial neighborhood, residential compact, residential urban – multifamily, and residential rural to one zoning district of compact suburban design with three subdistricts that are determined through community engagement.

The proposed timeline:

• Spring 2024 (March-May): Develop initial deliverables and community engagement plan, first neighborhood meeting.
• Summer 2024 (June-August): Begin rezoning process and hold second neighborhood meeting.
• Fall 2024 (September-November): Revise submittal and prepare materials for Planning Commission public hearing.
• Winter 2024 (December 2024-January 2025): Hold public hearings with Planning Commission and City Council.

What’s Motivating the Zoning Change?

Over the years, existing zoning and development patterns in RTP South led to tall multistory office buildings with big parking lots, while the western edge along Hopson Road and Davis Drive saw more townhomes and multifamily apartments.

As South Durham’s population grows and RTP builds out its campuses, planning staffers envision a need to infill large parking areas with new development or to retrofit older commercial spaces with housing.

“Additionally, as Durham pursues regional transit connections along the railroad, a reasonable amount of density is needed to connect residents to other parts of Durham and the Triangle,” the zoning site states.

RTP South is identified in the city’s comprehensive plan as a “transit opportunity area.” It’s auto-oriented and suburban as currently designed, but the vision would see more use of public transit or park-and-ride facilities. Residents would also “walk, bike, or ride the bus in a dense, compact walkable environment.”

Future Transportation Development in RTP South

• Light-rail rapid transit might be off the table now for Durham, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation has shown interest in adding a stop at NC Highway 54 for the Piedmont Amtrak service.
• GoTriangle Regional Transit Center is currently at 901 Slater Rd., but future plans would move it closer to NC Highway 54 and the HUB at RTP. Wake County’s Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) has studied the 54 corridor south to Morrisville as a possible bus service connection to the HUB at RTP.
• The Triangle Bikeways study proposes a paved trail to connect the region along Slater Road, Page Road, and 54.
• The Regional Transportation Alliance is reviewing regional connections, especially along Interstate 40, for how buses can be more efficient and safe as they move residents along freeways and regional boulevards.

The first neighborhood meetings are set for May:

• An in-person open house on May 7 between 5:30 and 7 p.m. at 12 Davis Dr., Research Triangle Park.
• A Zoom virtual meeting on May 21, from 6 to 7 p.m. Register at this link.

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