Medlin Hired as Planning Director: A Breath of Fresh Air

With regard to the announcement that Steve Medlin has been hired as Durham’s 
new planning director. All I can say is Whoooo-Hooooo!

Since former City/County Planning Director Frank Duke left the post last 
summer (for a similar job in Norfolk, VA), Steve Medlin has been the interim 
planning director, and he has quickly demonstrated his commitment to the 
long-term health and viability of ALL of Durham -- urban, suburban and rural. 

The announcement of Medlin’s permanent position as planning director is 
certainly timely, as it occurred only days after the News and Observer 
posted an article on the “Morreene Rd. zoning fiasco” (Saturday, 1 March, 
2008), highlighting the mess left by former planning director Frank Duke. 
“The heart of the matter is former planning director Frank Duke's 
interpretation [‘regarding setback, buffer and surface requirements’] of 
Durham's Unified Development Ordinance, which allowed SunRay to construct 
its building, and his explanation of that interpretation in an e-mail 
exchange with some of the building's neighbors,” explains the article. 

Toward the end of his post and since his departure, Duke’s pro-development 
planning approach -- at the cost of Durham citizen communication (if in 
opposition), adequate infrastructure, and environmental resources -- has 
been difficult to dispute. Demonstrating this point is a statement from 
George Stanziale (the applicant for the recently controversial Jordan at 
Southpoint in rural S. Durham), printed in the Independent Weekly (20 Feb, 
2002), in which he says of the planning staff: "Their job is to protect and 
legislate the ordinance. But when someone wants to get something done on a 
piece of property, and it doesn't meet the ordinance or a particular plan, 
say, a small-area plan, they're going to always work with us to see how we 
can get it done."

Tomorrow (Wednesday, March 5, 10 AM), the Joint City County Planning 
Committee will review amendments to the Conservation subdivision section of 
the UDO, providing stronger language ensuring its intent – to protect Durham’s 
environmental resources. Medlin, with extensive help from Planning Department 
Staff Julia Mullin and Helen Youngblood, took on this task almost immediately 
upon becoming interim planning director. Furthermore, Medlin’s planning 
department worked with the Jordan at Southpoint development team and ensured 
that they not only committed to the intent of Conservation Subdivision 
requirements when the project was submitted, but also committed to the 
amended guidelines not yet presented to the JCCPC. 

As further demonstration of their commitment to uphold Durham citizens’ intent 
of the UDO and the comprehensive plan, Medlin’s planning department recommended 
denial of the comprehensive plan amendment requested by Epcon development on 
Farrington Road (at last week’s Board of County Commissioners’ meeting). Among 
other reasons, and in agreement with the Planning Commission, the Planning 
Department stated that Epcon’s proposed density increase is inconsistent with 
the Comprehensive Plan. (The BOCC approved the amendment with a 3-2 vote). 

It’s no surprise that Duke’s replacement by Steve Medlin has many Durham 
citizens breathing a sigh of relief. And there’s no doubt they are now 
breathing more deeply, in the knowledge that Medlin is here to stay. 
Afterall, it’s easier to breath when the air is clean.

Melissa Rooney 

 

Comments

[John Schelp]

Excellent commentary, Melissa. Many thanks.

[Dave N.]

Steve Medlin is a great choice for the post of planning director. He has the longstanding respect of both the development community and those very wary of development.

The only surprise here is that he agreed to take the job. He certainly doesn't need the hassle. He is truly a public servant.