Support for preserving the Orange County rural buffer

[Thomas Admay]

I'm writing to express my support for the rural buffer.  Maintaining that buffer is always going to be a challenge as development pushes up against it, but it is important to the environment and the community to maintain that buffer.

Currently there is a proposal to extend an apartment complex in Durham County into the buffer near Kerley and Mt. Sinai Roads.  The encroachment may not sound large, less than 2 acres.  But this is how the buffer will be lost, an acre here and an acre there.  Maybe each one for what sounds like a reasonable proposal on its face, but in the end the buffer will be gone, replaced by high density development and impervious surface.  The exact opposite of what the rural buffer is meant to be.  Please do not set a precedent by approving this encroachment into the rural buffer.

Tom Admay

4700 Kerley Road

Durham, NC 27705

(919) 730-3827

[Jean Hamilton]

Dear Mr. Admay,

 

On behalf of the BOCC, thank you for sharing your perspective on the importance of the rural buffer in Orange County.  Your viewpoint is important as we work on the 2050 Land Use plan.  However, it is my understanding that the property in Durham County is under Durham City’s planning jurisdiction and that it concerns property in Durham County. So, the Orange County BOCC does not have authority in this situation. If Orange County staff has updated information, they will share it directly with you.

 

Sincerely,

Jean

 

Jean Hamilton, Chair

Orange County Board of Commissioners

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From: Thomas Admay <toma...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2026 10:46 PM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: Support for preserving the Orange County rural buffer

 

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[Thomas Admay]

Ms. Hamilton,

Thank you for your quick response.  

Unless I am mistaken the proposed project is related to two parcels in Orange County, PIN 0801143712 and 0801145891.  Both of which are in the Orange County rural buffer, and neither of which is in the carve out for the existing nursing home that is shown as being under Durham zoning.

Tom Admay

4700 Kerley Road

Durham, NC 27705

(919) 730-3827

[Cy Stober]

Mr. Admay,

 

All City of Durham scheduled actions regarding the “Kerley Gardens” annexation and zoning case are occurring within Durham County. I have reviewed the materials being considered by the City of Durham for both annexation and zoning at public hearing at the February 2 Council meeting. Both the City's Rezoning Explorer web map and its Council calendar page show an active zoning case only for the 1.67- acre property in Durham County, reflecting the scope of the agenda materials acted upon by the Planning Commission. Further, per the City of Durham Planning website, all annexations into City of Durham require a Neighborhood Information Meeting and a recommendation from the Planning Commission, aligned with the zoning application. Again, no such meetings or Planning Commission actions on annexation petitions or zoning applications have been or are scheduled for the two lots zoned “Rural Buffer” within Orange County.

 

Sincerely,

 

Cy Stober

Planning & Inspections Director

 

(919) 245-2585 (Office)

(919) 430-0446 (Cell)

(919) 245-2592 (Direct)

E-mail: cst...@orangecountync.gov

 

131 W. Margaret Lane, Suite 201, P.O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278

Planning & Inspections Webpage

Applications, Forms, and Submittal Information

Winner of the 2025 NC Sedimentation Control Commission’s Best All-Around Program

 

     

 

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[Thomas Admay]

Mr. Stober,

Perhaps this particular chess move is located entirely in Durham County, but clearly the larger project involves land in the Orange County Rural Buffer.  As you discussed in your email of June 4th of last year, copied below.  This project should not be encouraged, it runs completely contrary to the intent of the rural buffer.  

Tom Admay

4700 Kerley Road

Durham, NC 27705

(919) 730-3827

[Cy Stober]

Thank you,  Mr.  Admay,

I have no jurisdiction in this City of Durham matter on a property that lies outside of Orange County. 

Sincerely, 

Cy Stober

Planning & Inspections Director

 

(919) 245-2585 (Office)

(919) 430-0446 (Cell)

(919) 245-2592 (Direct)

E-mail: cst...@orangecountync.gov

 

131 W. Margaret Lane, Suite 201, P.O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278

Planning & Inspections Webpage

Applications, Forms, and Submittal Information

 

    

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From: Thomas Admay <toma...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 2:30:59 PM
To: Cy Stober <cst...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: Jean Hamilton <jham...@orangecountync.gov>; ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>