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Months after a rezoning for a 15-acre housing project was approved for Durham’s Infinity Road, another large development has been proposed for the same stretch of land.
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South Carolina-based NorthPoint Development is seeking approval to build 321 apartments and townhomes off North Roxboro Street. The developer is holding its second neighborhood meeting Tuesday, Sept. 1, and already, the proposal is drawing scrutiny from nearby neighbors who fear the area’s roads and public services are stretched to their limits.
NorthPoint Durham must hold the neighborhood meetings before the plan can advance through the city-county approval process.
The 13-acre site consists of six parcels of land at 5368, 5360 and 5354 North Roxboro Road, along with 119, 201 and 211 Infinity Road.
If the rezoning is approved, NorthPoint plans to build 248 apartments and 73 townhomes on the properties, according to a letter sent to residents living nearby.
The properties are about two miles from a newly opened Publix grocery store on Guess Road that will anchor the future 20-acre Latta Park, featuring green space, local shops and public art.
The properties are also directly in front of the recently approved Preserve at Infinity development, a 90-unit housing project passed by the Durham City Council in April in a 4-3 vote.
According to NorthPoint, the townhomes would have private driveways and garages, and the project would link walking trails and open green space and be close to jobs, retail and recreation.
Residents in surrounding neighborhoods, are raising red flags about rapid growth in northern Durham.
Kaitlyn Barker, a nine-year resident of Hickory Ridge lying north of the proposal, expressed frustration over the city’s local infrastructure and the heavily congested intersection of North Roxboro Street, Infinity Road and Latta Road. She said she and other residents have been organizing to voice their concerns about the new developments.
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A state Department of Transportation update was planned for the intersection, but the project has been suspended.
“The city keeps approving housing projects, but our roads simply can’t handle it,” Barker said in a phone interview. “We’re seeing slower 911 and hospital response times, and adding over 300 more units without infrastructure enhancements will only make it worse.”
Barker said she thinks about the damage Tropical Storm Chantal caused last year to northern Durham neighborhoods near the proposed developments and the Eno River. She worries about more deforestation and what might happen if another major storm comes through.
“Is anybody listening?” she asked.
In an email, Karen Guinn, a spokesperson for NorthPoint, said the project is still in the early stages and right now, they are focused on “listening to the community and ensuring we fully understand the questions and concerns surrounding the property, including those related to infrastructure, traffic, and housing mix.”
If approved, this would be NorthPoint’s first residential development in North Carolina, according to their website. The company has completed developments int South Carolina, Georgia and Colorado.
“The City of Durham has a thoughtfully laid out process for planning, rezoning, and development,” she wrote. “[The] neighborhood meeting is an important part of that process.”
The virtual neighborhood meeting will take place on Zoom from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Residents can register through the link provided by NorthPoint’s neighborhood letter or join by phone at 646-558-8656.
Following a city staff review, the proposal will go before the Durham Planning Commission for an advisory recommendation.
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This story was originally published August 31, 2026 at 5:24 PM.