Board recommends denial for Durham Rescue Mission project in East Durham
A city advisory board recommended the City Council reject the Durham Rescue Mission’s development plans in East Durham after hearing neighbors speak out Tuesday night.
The Planning Commission voted 9-1 against a rezoning request for 3.5 mostly vacant acres along South Alston Avenue and South Holman Street. The request was vague, with few details about what might be built on the 15 parcels of land if they are rezoned.
The Planning Commission’s recommendation comes a week after a virtual meeting between neighbors and McAdams, the Raleigh firm working with the Rescue Mission, where residents complained about the lack of transparency.
If approved, the new zoning would allow for retail, like a 1,350 square foot store, or a fast food restaurant without a drive-through, and a warehouse with parking. The rezoning would prohibit uses like car washes, payday lenders, nightclubs and bars.
Rezoning requests do not always come with a development plan unless there is one attached before reaching the Planning Commission.
Sarah Van Every, a representative for McAdams, acknowledged residents’ concerns but said if the rezoning request is approved, the Rescue Mission and McAdams would move forward with details about the site plan, development and other work.
“It is not intended to be anything other than following that procedure,” Van Every said.
However, Rob Tart, the CEO of the Rescue Mission, told the Planning Commission the land would eventually have a career development center and building where the organization would operate more efficiently. The Rescue Mission wants to consolidate operations that are scattered around the city into one place.
Tart also said the Rescue Mission would work with the city’s preservation group to move two houses on the land to the city’s nearby historic district.
Residents speak out, commission votes
Residents said they want more information to know how the project could affect their neighborhood and the city.
Chloe Palenchar said rezoning is a “privilege, not a right.”
“It should be done when it really benefits the community, hopefully the local community or Durham in general,” she said. “There’s almost no information about what we’re going to get from this.”
She worries about the Rescue Mission building a training center, citing problems with the nonprofit’s main operations building, the men’s shelter, on the corner of Main Street and Alston Avenue.
“I believe that people should get help, but concentrating so much of that in one area can be a problem,” she said.
Brandon Love said he believes the 15 parcels of land should be used for the community, especially its youth.
Commissioner Garry Cutright was the only supporting vote for the rezoning request and said that since the Rescue Mission owns the property, “we can’t dictate what they can and can’t do on the land.” He did ask if the organization can give more information.
The request will now go to the Durham City Council, which will hold a public hearing and vote at a future meeting.
This story was originally published April 9, 2025 at 10:48 AM with the headline "Board recommends denial for Durham Rescue Mission project in East Durham."