While future of 751 South remains to be determined, another subdivision proposal just up the road is also getting a cold reception from some of the neighbors.

"We moved there about four years ago and loved the rural feel," said Melvin G. Fehrenbacker of Oakwind Court. "We don't want it buried under slabs of concrete."

The reception was cold enough that, when the project came to the Durham Planning Commission Tuesday for a rezoning hearing, the developer's attorney asked for, and got, a two-month delay for further conversation.

"I think it's in the best interests to meet again with neighbors," said Ken Spaulding, representing 751 LLC, a company headquartered in Hobe Sound, FL.

The proposition in question, called "Trails at Southpoint," is for 164 residences on a  28-acre tract on N.C. 751 just north of Stagecoach Road. The site is currently zoned "Residential Rural," meaning the densest building allowed is three houses per two acres. On the south and west, it abuts Corps of Engineers land in the Jordan Lake watershed.

"We want to keep our serenity, keep our peace," said Therman Couch, whose home adjoins 751 LLC's property.

With the delay, the rezoning and a change in the county land-use plan come back to the Planning Commission July 10. The commission, a citizens advisory body, will make a recommendation to the county commissioners on approving or disapproving the zoning and land-use changes.

View Academy Road @ Duke University Road in a larger map

NCDOT traffic engineers are planning changes that should make drivers more alert to the dangers of a sharp curve in Durham where five people have died in high-speed crashes since 1992.

Matthew Grape, a Duke University senior, was killed Sept. 15 when a car driven by a fellow student crashed into trees near a curve on N.C. 751 (Academy Road) just south of Duke University Road.  The speed limit is 35 mph, but investigators said the car was traveling at 70 mph. 

Four other people died in two crashes at the same spot in the 1990s, in cars going faster than 80 mph.  Alcohol was involved in all three crashes.

Kelly L. Becker, a regional DOT traffic engineer, recommended today that DOT install three black-on-yellow arrow chevrons on the outside of the curve, replacing one there now.  She recommended two new signs to  remind northbound drivers that they are approaching the curve, and the relocation of an existing curve-ahead sign to provide more advance warning for southbound drivers.

"I think this will provide more visibility for that curve," Becker said. "It is a pretty sharp curve."

View NC 751 movie detour in a larger map 

A disaster on film will be an inconvenience on NC 751 in Chatham County for drivers between now and Sunday, NCDOT says.

A short stretch of NC 751 is closed for a crew making a movie called "The Carrington Event." A detour is marked, using Horton Pond Road, Farrington Point Road and U.S. 64.

NCDOT said today that NC 751 will stay open, however, during the morning (6-9am) and afternoon (4-7pm) rush hours.

The state highway department alerts Durham motorists to anticipate inconvenience at two work zones this weekend.

Lanes will be closed on N.C. 751 (Cameron Boulevard) between the Erwin Road traffic circle and Duke University road Saturday and Sunday, as needed and if temperatures allow the contractor to work toward finishing a resurfacing job before deadline next Thursday. Anyone heading for the Duke basketball game Saturday are advised to go another way.

In both directions on Interstatre 85, lanes will be intermittently closed during daylight hours between Cole Mill Road and the Orange County line while crews install pavement reflectors.