Remember the Rural buffer zone?

[Ann Taylor]

Hi,

I am inquiring why more apartments are being built on Kerley road into the rural buffer zone? 

Additionally, the Ellis, a very large construction project ,90-unit, 4-story luxury condominium will also be in a rural area despite community concerns regarding traffic and environmental impact.

Why is the rural buffer zone that has been established being ignored? 

Please explain the reasoning why the downtown is not being developed as people wanted. People want to be close to shops and public transport. That was established. Is this purely for the benefit of developers? I am unclear of the reasoning.

Thanks for clarifying.

Ann Taylor

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[Jean Hamilton]

Dear Ann Taylor,

 

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: Ann Taylor <ahtay...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2026 10:10 AM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: toma...@gmail.com <toma...@gmail.com>; walle...@gmail.com <walle...@gmail.com>
Subject: Remember the Rural buffer zone?

 

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[Cy Stober]

Ms. Taylor,

 

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 within Orange County zoned for “Rural Buffer” use.

 

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

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From: Ann Taylor <ahtay...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2026 10:10 AM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: toma...@gmail.com; walle...@gmail.com
Subject: Remember the Rural buffer zone?

 

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Phish Alert Button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

Hi,