They were opposing a 563-unit subdivision, called the "Egypt Property," in a rural portion of the Falls Lake watershed. The 208-acre tract on Olive Branch Road is about two miles north of Brier Creek shopping center.

"We have good reason, backed by scientific data, to believe that this will just lead to more impairment [of Falls Lake and its tributaries]," said Tina Motley-Pearson, an Olive Branch Road resident who spoke and gave a slide presentation on the effects of erosion on nearby subdivisions.

Pearson was one of about 20 neighboring residents who attended the Durham Planning Commission meeting to oppose a rezoning for the subdivision.

They said the Egypt project, along with the adjacent Sierra subdivision, will add more pollution to the already-impaired lake and its Lick Creek and Little Lick Creek tributaries. They pointed to pending state regulations meant to reduce pollution in Falls Lake.

"The taxpayers will have to pay millions to fix problems caused by these subdivisions," Motley-Pearson said.

The planning commission had continued the Egypt case from its April meeting to allow the developer, MacGregor Development of Cary, and neighbors to resolve their differences. On Tuesday, the commission heard public comment but put off a vote until July to allow Durham planning staff time to review changes the developer has made to the plan.

The planning commission is a citizens' advisory group that reviews development plans requiring rezonings and changes to land-use plans. It recommends approval or denial to the city council or county commissioners, depending which body has authority.

Ron Horvath, an engineer and designer on the project, described Egypt as "a community that is sensitive to the environment ... and protects the natural features of the site."

Nevertheless, Mary Beth San Filipo of Olive Branch Road and some of her neighbors are circulating a petition that calls on Durham authorities to halt development until they revise their land-use plan for the eastern region to preserve more open space and better protect the watershed.

Several neighborhood organizations in other parts of Durham have posted links to the petition on their e-mail lists. As of Tuesday night, the petition had 110 signatures.