Greensboro City Council Meeting - May 19, 2026
Greensboro City Council Meeting - May 19, 2026
The Greensboro City Council met on May 19, 2026, in the Katie Dorsett Council Chambers. All nine council members were present. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, approval of a consent agenda, public hearings on zoning and annexation requests, a budget presentation, and multiple ordinance amendments. Key actions included approval of a controversial 104-acre planned unit development off Old Randleman Road, adoption of the fiscal year 2026-27 budget filing, and amendments to parking, animal control, and nuisance abatement ordinances.
Consent Calendar
- Items F1 through F22 were approved unanimously (9-0) as routine and non-controversial matters.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Children's Mental Health Awareness Month: Alex Ebizia of the Kellen Foundation accepted the resolution and emphasized the need for early access to mental health care.
- Foster Care Awareness Month: Melinda Graham of Family Room accepted the resolution, highlighting the goal of whole, healthy, healed adults for children in foster care.
- H2/H3 – Annexation and Zoning for 5101, 5113, 5327 Old Randleman Road (104 acres):
- In favor: Developer representative Mark Isaacson presented the project as a 104-acre planned unit development with up to 550 units (down from 650 after community input), a variety of housing types, and $2 million in transportation improvements. He noted the project would support housing needs near the Greensboro-Randolph megasite. A second speaker, Sherlock Ivor, supported the project, stating it would bring needed housing and income to the area.
- Opposition: Attorney Chuck Winfrey, representing the Sumner community, argued the project was incompatible with the rural area, that the traffic impact analysis was incomplete, and that the development would harm local wells and increase traffic on two-lane Old Randleman Road. Multiple residents and experts testified via video and in person: Greg Creed (pastor, concerned about well water and stormwater runoff), Kevin Stone (business owner, safety concerns), Barry Nelson (hydrogeologist, predicted 35-70% reduction in recharge area), Pat Short (farmer, loss of farmland), Chris Morgan (road infrastructure concerns), Kim Venable (traffic projections of 9,400 vehicles per day), and David Hyder (professional engineer, critiqued the TIA for incomplete documentation and inconsistent growth rates).
- Rebuttal: Isaacson responded that the project would use city water and sewer, not wells, and that transportation improvements would be required through subsequent reviews.
- I10 – Nuisance Abatement Ordinance Amendment: Mr. Hicks spoke in opposition, stating the ordinance lacked safeguards, could be triggered by a disgruntled neighbor, and did not protect tenants. He urged adding transparency and tenant protections.
Discussion Items
- City Academy Graduation: The 21st cohort of Greensboro City Academy (30 participants) was recognized. Council members who are alumni shared their experiences.
- Budget Presentation – FY 2026-27: City Manager Trey Davis presented the recommended $913 million budget. Key points: recommended property tax rate of 58.3 cents per $100 valuation (down from 67.25 cents); a 2.5% COLA and 1.5% merit increase for general employees; minimum wage increase to $21.25/hour; $25 minimum wage path; $11 million in additional public safety investments; 30 new police officer positions; support for BHART program; infrastructure investments including water and sewer rate increases; and continued housing and economic development funding. The budget is the first to align with the Vision 36 long-range plan. Four work sessions were scheduled, with a public hearing on June 2 and adoption on June 16.
- Ordinance Amendments:
- Chapter 5 (Animal Control): Incorporated county animal control ordinance with city abatement authority.
- Chapter 16 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic): Increased civil penalties for oversized vehicle parking (first offense $100, second $250) and clarified storage prohibitions.
- Chapter 17 (Nuisance Abatement): Codified state criminal nuisance abatement procedures, allowing the city to pursue civil action against properties with repeated breaches of peace. City Attorney explained the process requires notice and multiple complaints.
- Board and Commission Appointments: Jasmine Quick Miller reappointed to Board of Adjustments; Spencer Jewell and Jen McClinton appointed to Board of Adjustments and Community Sustainability Council respectively.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved 9-0.
- H1 – Flood Damage Prevention Text Amendment: Approved 9-0 after a public hearing with no speakers.
- H2/H3 – Annexation and Zoning for Old Randleman Road (104 acres): Approved 9-0. Conditions accepted include density cap of 550 units, landscaping buffers, and exterior material requirements. A statement of consistency was adopted.
- H4/H5 – Annexation and Zoning for 3700 Liberty Road (0.49 acres): Approved 9-0.
- H6 – Sewer Line Improvement on Battleground Avenue: Approved 9-0.
- I1 – Budget Filing: Approved 9-0 to formally file the recommended budget.
- I2 – Transit Services Contract (RATP Dev USA): Approved 9-0.
- I3 – Flow Monitoring Contract (ADS Environmental): Approved 9-0.
- I4 – Waterline Rehabilitation Change Order (Mainlining America): Approved 9-0.
- I5 – Bingham Park Remediation Grant Appropriation: Approved 9-0.
- I6 – Water Resources Refinancing: Approved 9-0.
- I7 – Revenue Bond Issuance: Approved 9-0.
- I8 – Animal Control Ordinance Amendment: Approved 9-0.
- I9 – Parking and Vehicle Ordinance Amendment: Approved 9-0.
- I10 – Nuisance Abatement Ordinance Amendment: Approved 9-0.
- I11 – Board/Commission Appointments: Approved unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the May 19th, 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. One nation under God, an individual with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Please silence any and all electronic devices. The City of Greensboro strongly encourages input from all residents. 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. All speakers are expected to read and adhere to the rules when addressing the council during any speaking opportunity. To address the council this evening, participants must have completed speaker sign-up by 5 30 pursuant to the rules prior to the council meeting. Those who registered online should confirm their attendance with Mr. Canapena. All handouts must be given to the city clerk for distribution prior to the start of the council meeting. Speakers may address specific consent or business agenda items with three minutes allocated for remarks. All speakers are expected to adhere to established rules of decorum, and any inappropriate or disruptive 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 results in a twelve-month suspension. Any violation of state criminal law may also subject the individual to criminal charges, and those suspended from in-person participation will retain the ability to attend virtually via Zoom. This ensures their right to free speech. State statute requires requires members, council members to vote on all matters unless a direct financial interest exists, or if the council member serves on the board of a nonprofit organization that is receiving city funding. All motions will be moved and seconded, and the presiding officer will announce the vote tally. The consent agenda covers items F one through F twenty two and consists 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. 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 730 p.m. We first have our ceremonial and presentation items, and this is the time for recognition of the City Academy graduates. Mr. Canapino. Oh, Miss Isabel. Miss Isabel Gill. Good evening. We are going to introduce something first. I don't need to call. I need you to put that on. Who do you need? Mayor Abusleader, City Council, City Managers, and distinguished guests. I'm Isabel Gill with the Community Relations Office, and it's been a privilege to serve one more time as the program manager for Greensboro City Academy. This program truly wouldn't be possible without the rest of our dedicated community relations team, Nicole Drummond, Gary Canapino, and Satrina Smalls, who could not be here today. It is now my pleasure to introduce you to our 21st cohort right here sitting. Beginning in February, this class visit visited different city facilities and participated in a variety of experiences that offer insight into how the city of Greensboro runs runs and the hard work city staffers pour into their role each and every day. The feedback from this cohort has been incredibly rewarding. Our participants repeatedly shared how engaging and informative the sessions were and more importantly, how deeply inspired they were by the dedication of our city staffers. Mayor Busader and City Manager Davis, would you please join us in front of the daisy? And at this time, I would like to ask City Academy participants to step into the aisle into this aisle and come forward as I call your name. Laura Blackstock Keith Ellis. Carlo Gagliardo. Scott Goodrich.
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