Morreene Road
If you've been following the Morreene Road/D&L Warehouse saga, then you'll probably want to know that that the neighborhood has started a blog to discuss their side of the issue.
If you haven't, there's some background here, here and here. (If the Herald-Sun has more on the story besides the Brackett's op-ed piece, it doesn't show up in a search of their site.)
Basically, former Planning Department Director Frank Duke made a decision to approve the Brackett's application to build a warehouse on the site of a former restaurant in the Turnage Heights neighborhood under the existing Neighborhood Commercial zoning. Residents balked at having a warehouse constructed in the middle of the neighborhood, and felt the approval was mistaken. Construction began and continued while the neighborhood made their case. Two weeks ago, after Mr. Duke had already left his position for a similar position in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area, Interim Director Steve Medlin endorsed the neighborhood's position that the warehouse was not a conforming use under the Neighborhood Commercial zoning.
Getting a variance or a rezoning under these conditions is going to be difficult. The Brackett's are into their construction for the better part of a million bucks. The neighborhood's case is pretty strong.
I'll be surprised if this doesn't end up with a long and drawn out lawsuit.
If you haven't, there's some background here, here and here. (If the Herald-Sun has more on the story besides the Brackett's op-ed piece, it doesn't show up in a search of their site.)
Basically, former Planning Department Director Frank Duke made a decision to approve the Brackett's application to build a warehouse on the site of a former restaurant in the Turnage Heights neighborhood under the existing Neighborhood Commercial zoning. Residents balked at having a warehouse constructed in the middle of the neighborhood, and felt the approval was mistaken. Construction began and continued while the neighborhood made their case. Two weeks ago, after Mr. Duke had already left his position for a similar position in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area, Interim Director Steve Medlin endorsed the neighborhood's position that the warehouse was not a conforming use under the Neighborhood Commercial zoning.
Getting a variance or a rezoning under these conditions is going to be difficult. The Brackett's are into their construction for the better part of a million bucks. The neighborhood's case is pretty strong.
I'll be surprised if this doesn't end up with a long and drawn out lawsuit.
Labels: development, Durham
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1 Comments:
I have heard from a friend in that neighborhood that when a long-time family restaurant in the area wanted to expand, probably to the benefit of keeping their business going, they were denied due to zoning.
So this is one big grudge match.
¡Viva la nabes!
By
Tony, at 8:01 PM
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