Adoption Process

To officially replace the existing Comprehensive Plan from 2005, the new Comprehensive Plan has to go through a formal adoption process. In Durham, the formal adoption process first requires a public hearing and advisory vote by the Planning Commission. Then, after the Planning Commission vote, both the City Council and Board of County Commissioners are required to hold public hearings and then vote. It is expected that the City Council and Board of County Commissioners will hold a joint public hearing, and then hold final votes separately at one of their regular meetings.

How to Stay Involved in the Adoption Process


The exact date, time, and location of each of these meetings will be added here as soon as they are determined.

Planning Commission Public Hearing

The Planning Commission is an advisory group that holds public hearings on planning-related cases and makes recommendations to the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners. It is anticipated that the Planning Commission will hold three public hearings on this project (in February, March, and May) before they make an advisory vote. Information on additional meetings will be added here.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 Public Hearing

The Planning Commission held its first public hearing on the new Comprehensive Plan at a meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 Public Hearing

The Planning Commission held its second public hearing on the new Comprehensive Plan at a meeting on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. 

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 Discussion

At the March 28 public hearing, the Planning Commission voted to continue this item to their regular meeting on April 11, 2023. The Planning Commission chair stated that this meeting will not include public comment but will be a time for Commissioners to ask questions of staff and discuss the draft plan. The final opportunity for public comment before the Planning Commission will be at the May 23 public hearing. 

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Public Hearing

The Planning Commission was scheduled to hold its final public hearing on the new Comprehensive Plan at a meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 beginning at 5:30p.m. However, a quorum of members was not in attendance. The final Planning Commission public hearing is now anticipated at the start of their regular meeting on June 13, 2023

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Public Hearing

The regular June 13 Planning Commission meeting begins at 5:30p.m. The first agenda item will be the Comprehensive Plan. This will be the final public hearing before the Planning Commission on this project. Once an advisory vote on the Comprehensive Plan is issued, the Planning Commission will move on to its regular business. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be provided for this agenda item. For the remainder of the agenda, contact the City-County Planning Department at 919-560-4137, or Growth@DurhamNC.gov to request interpretation and/or translation services as soon as possible but no later than three days before the event or deadline date. 

  • You may view the agenda here: Coming soon

In-Person Participation

The physical meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers at 101 City Hall Plaza in downtown Durham. If you wish to speak in person, there will be a sign-up sheet near the clerk to the Commission when you arrive.

Virtual Participation

Click here https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_29PwTPT3S86LFVX3XX9UwQ (Webinar ID: 857 0381 3506) to register to participate in the Planning Commission meeting virtually. If possible, please register by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the Planning Commission meeting or by calling 1- 301-715-8592 at least 15 minutes before the meeting start time and identify yourself to ensure that you get a chance to speak at the appropriate time. Access will be audio only and the chat and Q&A functions will not be available in the virtual meeting.

Registration is not required to watch the meeting. You can view Planning Commission meetings live on the City’s Twitter page, Facebook page, YouTube channel, on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon via Boxcast as well as livestreamed from the City’s website. The meeting will also be televised live on Durham Television Network (Spectrum channel 8, Google Fiber channel 8, Frontier channel 70, and AT&T U-verse channel 99).

Joint City Council / Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing

After the Planning Commission has completed their public hearings and voted on a recommendation for the Comprehensive Plan, the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners will hold a joint public hearing on this project. 

This joint public hearing will be held at a special meeting on Thursday, August 31, 2023 beginning at 7PM. The hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers located in City Hall at 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham NC 27701. Participation will be possible in person or virtually through Zoom. An agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted here prior to the meeting.  

City Council Adoption

After the joint City/County public hearing, the City Council will consider adoption at one of their regular meetings, which are typically held on the first and third Monday of each month. Agendas for these meetings can be found here.

Board of County Commissioners Adoption

After the joint City/County public hearing, the Board of County Commissioners will consider adoption at one of their regular meetings which are typically held on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Agendas for these meetings can be found here.