BCR's Daily Fishwrap Report for March 24, 2009

Monday's BOCC work session on the Jordan Lake critical boundary survey ended up at much the same point as the discussions so far: lots of heat and noise, no decision yet. We at BCR made it to the last ten minutes of the meeting, long enough to hear the County Commissioners agree to consult outside experts -- including planning directors in other counties outside the region, the Institute of Government hosted at UNC, and possibly third-party counsel -- before an April 13 work session where public comment will be allowed.

As a Durham pol tipped us off on the way in the courthouse, there were really three camps at play at Monday's audience. South Durham residents who've advocated for slower growth and development were in attendance, not surprisingly. Urbanite progressives like Milo Pyne were there, too, focused it seems on the deliberative process as much as the outcome.

The third group was the most intriguing: key members and allies of the Durham Committee, including Lavonia Allison, Jackie Wagstaff, and potential City Council challenger Donald Hughes. Many were holding crisp signs denoting their support for jobs and economic growth in South Durham. We've heard some theories on the show of support, though the most likely link back could be Joe Bowser, who along with BOCC chair Michael Page has supported an outright acceptance of a privately-ordered survey of Jordan Lake along a developer's property in question.

A one-time Durham County sheriff aspirant, Bowser never got to invoke the famed law enforcement power of posse comitatus; instead, it looked Monday like he'd called out the posse Committee-atus to help.

The H-S has more coverage, as shortly will, we expect, the Independent Weekly in print or their blog. In other news:

• The H-S has a summary of the current state of the disagreement between Trinity Heights residents and student party houses, into which the City Council has begun to step in, with a letter to Duke president Richard Brodhead expected soon. More on this later this morning at BCR. (H-S)
• A decision on a new middle school site near Treyburn along Snow Hill Rd. has been delayed four months while neighbors and DPS negotiate over vehicular access and traffic issues -- key stumbling blocks that residents say are the only concerns they want to see addressed. The BOCC Monday authorized the delay while permitting DPS to bring all their approvals (zoning, site plan, traffic, etc.) to the Board at once to keep the project on track while negotiations continue. (H-S)
• City officials will be inspecting as many units as possible at the Lincoln Apartments to try to get to the bottom of ongoing complaints from residents and community activists at ACORN over living conditions in the units. (H-S)

Comments

[Steve Nicewarner]

A random thought: how much of the Committee's support of "jobs and economic growth in South Durham" has to do with the proposed development at the other end of Massey Chapel -- the new Wal-Mart? I have no eveidence to support that, but it would seem to be a consistent position, wouldn't it?

[SoDurT]

Steve, I think the committee's support probably has more to do with some sort of deal struck between Allison, Page, & Bowser. Support could be easily exchanged for favors down the road. Lets face it, Wal-Mart jobs aren't exactly the ones that win elections when we're talking "jobs created." But nice fat financial contributions from developers help. If Allison was really concerned about her constituents she w/ be lobbying for affordable housing in South Durham, not Wal-Mart jobs that will end up costing the county & city more in medical cost of Wal-Mart employees.

[Steve Nicewarner]

SoDurT -- agreed on all points. The Wal-Mart proposal does, however, allow that deserving community to "cash out" and coming out in support of Wal-Mart and opposed to development on 751 at the same time might be too obvious a contradiction. Again, I have no evidence to support this -- I just thought it was an interesting juxtaposition.

[Shop Local - Buy American]

Is there not already a super-duper Wal-mart proposed for MLK/Fayetteville, just a couple miles from Southpoint? Seems like that would be enough minimum wage - no benefits - Chinese-made goods distribution jobs in one area.

[Dr.Kildare'sUglyBrother]

The Durham Committee is DPAC-high with people who have a financial interest in Kentington Heights and nearby areas cashing in on development. You bet they support it!

The only surprise for me was, why no Victoria Peterson joined at Lavonia's hip this time? Perhaps they've been surgically separated? (I can only imagine the argument over who got to keep the bile duct.)