Greensboro City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026
Greensboro City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026
The Greensboro City Council met on April 21, 2026, at the Katie Dorsett Council Chambers. The meeting covered ceremonial resolutions, annexation and zoning requests, housing policy updates, and multiple contracts. The council voted unanimously on most items, with notable unanimous approval of housing code amendments after extensive public testimony and discussion.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda covering items F1 through F16 was approved 9-0 without any items removed.
Ceremonial Items
- E1: Resolution honoring Willina Reeves Cannon – Councilmember Black presented the resolution recognizing Cannon's civil rights activism and community service. Approved 9-0.
- E2: Resolution recognizing Sheena Beasley and the Almond Connection – Recognized April as Second Chance Month and honored Beasley's re-entry work. Approved 9-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- H3/H4: Willow Road/Sharp Road annexation and zoning – Fred Wood of the Rotherwood community spoke in opposition, expressing concerns about traffic and infrastructure impacts from the proposed Mungo Homes development (up to 374 units). He urged the city to keep the community informed on mitigations. The applicant's representative, Amanda Hodiern, committed to ongoing partnership. The public hearing was closed and the items approved 9-0.
- I1: CVB/Tourism Development Authority budget – George Hartzman (Public Integrity Watch) spoke, alleging conflict of interest involving the Mayor's role on the Greensboro Sports Foundation board and questioning the budget. The Mayor declined to recuse. The item passed 8-0 with one recusal (Councilmember Thurm).
- I2: Multifamily housing fund commitments – Grant Duffield, Steve Morley (Grace Community Church), and Philip Marsh spoke in support of recommended projects, particularly the Grace View Apartments. The resolution was approved 9-0.
- I7: Equipment Services Garage change order – George Hartzman questioned cost overruns ($8 million) and alleged lack of due diligence. City staff explained contaminated soil on city-owned land necessitated the increase. Approved 9-0.
- I9: Coliseum restroom renovations bid – George Hartzman objected to awarding to Lomax Construction (with lower MBE participation) over a lower bidder with higher MBE. He also criticized city employee attendance at contractor events. Approved 9-0.
- I10: Windsor Chavis/Noco Park change order – George Hartzman argued that construction manager at risk Samet Corporation should bear design errors costs. Approved 9-0.
- I11: Housing code amendments – Six speakers testified: George Hartzman (opposition, citing enforcement concerns), Beth McGee Huger (support), Malia Ines (support, with tenant stories), Terrell Dunjee (support, urging tenant forums and enforcement), Sarah Segwin (support, calling for education), and Ben Brock-Smith (support from apartment association, thanking collaborative process). All speakers except Hartzman were in favor. The council then voted unanimously to approve.
Discussion Items
- H1/H2: Continuances – The applicant requested continuation of two annexation/zoning items (5101-5327 Old Randleman Road) to the May 19 meeting. Approved by voice vote.
- Meeting date change – Council voted to move the May 5 meeting to May 4 at 5:30 p.m. due to a conference.
- H3/H4: Willow Road/Sharp Road annexation and conditional zoning (CD-RM5) – Staff and applicant presented the plan for 374 single-family attached/detached units on 109 acres. Conditions include no multifamily, unit cap, and 35-foot height limit. The council discussed community concerns and voted to approve.
- H5-H7: Rankin Mill Road annexation and zoning – Annexation and original zoning (CD-R3 and R3) for a new single-family home and road right-of-way. Approved 9-0.
- H8/H9: Summit Avenue annexation and zoning – Annexation of 0.55 acres and zoning to R3. Approved 9-0.
- H10-H12: Liberty Road annexation and zoning – Annexation of 12.12 acres and conditional R7 zoning for a new development. Public hearing had one speaker in favor; approved 9-0.
- I1: CVB/Tourism Development Authority FY2026-27 budget – $1,500,000 budget approved 8-0 (Thurm recused).
- I2: Multifamily housing fund commitments – $8.16 million in gap financing for six projects (Ellington Place, Phillips Avenue Apartments, Grace View Apartments, Southgate Market Apartments, and two rehabilitation projects). Total development value over $100 million. Approved 9-0.
- I3: Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority regionalization study – Resolution of support passed 9-0.
- I4: Big Alamance lift station upgrade bid – $3,969,000 contract with State Utility Contractors Inc. Approved 9-0.
- I5: Water resources capital revenue bond fund amendment – $4,361,000 for the lift station upgrade. Approved 9-0.
- I6: Equipment Services Garage design/inspection services change order – $307,275 increase for CPL. Approved 9-0.
- I7: Equipment Services Garage site work change order #3 – $7,868,987 increase for Samet Corporation. Total now ~$32 million. Council heard public comment and city staff explanation about contaminated soil. Approved 9-0.
- I8: Local Government Commission application – Resolution authorizing filing. Approved 9-0.
- I9: Coliseum Arena restroom renovations bid – $3,998,600 contract with Lomax Construction. Approved 9-0.
- I10: Windsor Chavis/Noco Park construction change order #4 – $301,204 increase for Samet Corporation. Approved 9-0.
- I11: Housing code amendments – Significant update: added mold abatement, registration for repeat violators (more than 4 violations in 12 months or 2 in 30 days), increased civil penalties from $200/$10 daily to $500/$100 daily, with a second tier for repeat offenses. Emergency provisions expanded. Effective in 90 days. Approved 9-0 after extensive testimony and council support.
- I12: Boards and commissions appointments – Several appointments made to various boards, including Library Board, Commission on Status of Women, Human Rights Commission, Parks and Recreation, and Transit Advisory Committee. All approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- All action items passed with unanimous votes (9-0) except I1 (8-0 with one recusal).
- The council demonstrated strong support for housing policy reform, approving the housing code amendments after a collaborative stakeholder process.
- Multiple infrastructure and development contracts were approved, with staff providing clarifications on cost increases.
- The next city council meeting was rescheduled to May 4, 2026.
- Council members recognized community events, including the Strange Fruit Festival, Black Maternal Health Fair, Healthy Kids Day, Black Sports Writers Hall of Fame, Reedy Connections workforce closet, Fair Housing Luncheon, Earth Day events, and the Korean Festival.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you and welcome to the April 21st, 2026 meeting of the Greensboro City Council. We are in the Katie Dorset Council Chambers, and let the record reflect that all members are in attendance. We will begin the meeting with a moment of silence. Thank you. Mayor Pro Tem Roth, would you lead us in the pledge, please? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it's a nation under the visible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. We ask that you please silence any and all electronic devices. The City of Greensboro strongly encourages input from all residents, and the council chambers serve as a welcoming and safe environment for all residents. The council rules of procedure and decorum are posted on the city website under the city clerk tab, and all speakers are expected to read and adhere to the rules when addressing the council during a speaking opportunity. To address the council this evening, participants must have completed speaker sign-up by 5 30 p.m. pursuant to the rules prior to the council meeting. Those who registered online should confirm their attendance with the clerk. All handouts must be given to the city clerk for distribution prior to the start of the council meeting. For public comment period, each speaker signed up will get three minutes. If there are more than 25 speakers, the time may be reduced to two minutes. Speakers may address specific consent or business agenda items with a three minutes allocated for remarks. All speakers are expected to adhere to established rules of decorum, and any inappropriate or destructive conduct will result in immediate removal. A first removal carries a three-month suspension from in-person participation. A second violation results in a six-month suspension, and a third violation or any instance involving physical altercations will result in a 12-month suspension. Any violation of the state criminal laws may also subject the individual to criminal charges. Those suspended from in-person participation will retain the ability to attend virtually via Zoom, which ensures their right to free speech. If the Zoom speaker violates the rule of procedure and decorum, they will be muted. Any videos, media, or supplemental documents utilized by speakers during this meeting are not reviewed or verified by the city for accuracy, completeness, or authenticity. Speakers may not transfer their time to others, and the mayor or presiding officer will determine the speaking order. This is based on the number of speakers, and the mayor may modify the time allocated to each individual. Approaching the dyes is not permitted. Speakers may not address the audience nor employees of the City of Greensboro. The public comment period is for speakers to address council. Any violation of this protocol and the speaker's time shall be surrendered. Zoom participants must refrain from speaking until they are recognized and called upon. And state statute requires members to vote on all matters unless the direct financial interests exist, or if the council member serves on the board of a nonprofit organization that receives city funding. All motions will be moved and seconded, and the presiding officer will announce the vote tally. The consent agenda covering items F1 through F16 consist of routine and non-controversial matters that are approved with a single vote. Any council member may request the removal of an item due to a conflict of interest or to vote in opposition. Items withdrawn for discussion will be carried forward to the next business meeting agenda. And if an item is found to be time sensitive, the mayor may request that a vote be taken. Closed captioning is provided for this meeting, depending on the duration of proceedings. A brief recess is anticipated around 7:30 p.m. Now we can move on. We do have where an applicant has requested that item H1 2026-217, which is a public hearing for an ordinance, annexing territory into the corporate limit limits for the properties located at 5101, 5113, and 5327 Z Z Old Randoland Road, 104.03 acres, Scott Crussel for Sean Cummings of Agency Partners LLC and others, and H2 2026-218 public hearing for an ordinance for original zoning for one for 5101, 5113, and 5327 GZ Old Randallman Road. Scott Cressel for Sean's Cummings of Agency Partners LLC and others. They have requested that this be continued to the May 19th City Council meeting without further advertising. Do I hear a motion for continuance? Moved by Ms. Black. Seconded by Miss Thurm. Council, we can do a voice vote on this. All in favor, please say aye. Aye.
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