Durham Appearance Commission Fails to Reach Quorum, Holds Informal Discussion Instead

Durham's City-County Appearance Commission could not conduct official business at its most recent monthly gathering in February, because too few of its members showed up. The panel normally meets at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month in a ground-floor conference room at City Hall.

Four members were in the room along with staff liaison Kayla Seibel as the clock passed 6:15 p.m. The commission's bylaws require a majority of members, not counting the liaison, to be present for a meeting to be valid. The group was one person short, and those present kept listening for footsteps in the hallway.

Seibel read the relevant rule aloud: "If a quorum is not present within 15 minutes of the advertised start time of the meeting, the Chair — or the highest ranking officer present — may cancel the meeting at any time." Chair Brandt Smith was absent, so member Imani McCreary stepped in to lead. Because no quorum existed, the session proceeded only as a discussion, with no votes possible.

The commission's stated goal is to "cultivate visual appeal and recognize the benefits of good design, which enhance quality of life." It pursues that aim by promoting attractive landscaping and strong architecture across Durham.

Much of the conversation focused on who is eligible to serve. Before 2017, the bylaws called for three architects, three landscape architects and two real estate agents, which made filling seats harder. The rules were later changed to require a demonstrated interest in community aesthetics, with a majority of members having design expertise. Seibel has since loosened this further by removing the design-expertise requirement. Any Durham resident with an interest in the county's appearance can now serve, a change meant to ease the problem of members not attending. Seibel also asked for opinions on cutting the number of seats from 15 to nine, but the talk was interrupted when a City Hall security officer walked by.

The group then turned to the Golden Leaf Awards, which are named after a tobacco leaf and lost momentum when the pandemic began. The program was created for the commission and the nonprofit Keep Durham Beautiful to gather nominations for properties that are "outstanding for (their) design, preservation, curb appeal, or stewardship of the natural and built environment." A new name for the awards is pending.

McCreary favored a rebrand. "The idea is to start influencing the appearance of Durham through awards that are voted on by the people," she said. Categories could range from residents' favorite bike paths and public spaces to standout architecture. She floated "Durham Nation Awards" as a tentative title but worried officials might object to the suggestion that Durham is its own country.

Under the idea discussed, residents would take part twice, first by submitting nominations and then by voting. A panel of architects would choose the largest award to add a professional view. McCreary described it as two separate honors: "One legit award that's like 'Keep Durham Beautiful' and then the people's choice awards." Past rounds drew few submissions, and members suggested that entering nominators into a sweepstakes might boost participation, though no vote could be held on the proposal.

With the possibilities exhausted, the discussion ended. Smith never arrived, and the members left the room.