Greensboro City Council Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Greensboro City Council met on June 16, 2026, at 9:30 PM in the Katie Dorsett Council Chambers. The meeting covered ceremonial recognitions, board appointments, public hearings on zoning and annexation, adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 operating budget, and numerous other items. Notable discussions included a proposal for a six-month moratorium on AI data centers, a contested rezoning on New Garden Road, and the final budget vote with a property tax rate of 79.85 cents per $100 valuation.

Consent Calendar

• Items F1 through F7 were approved unanimously (9-0).
• Items H9 and H10 (annexation and zoning for 4701 Hickory Valley Road) were withdrawn by the applicant before the meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• H11 – Rezoning at 1701 New Garden Road and 2702 Willoski Drive

  • Amanda Hodiern (applicant’s attorney) spoke in favor, arguing the rezoning to Conditional District Commercial Medium (CDCM) is consistent with the New Garden Road Strategic Corridor Plan’s framework and that the use (a bank) is a low-intensity transition use.
  • Crystal Early (High Acres neighborhood resident) spoke in opposition, stating the rezoning would amend the adopted corridor plan, harm groundwater quality, and break a prior promise of a 20-year residential moratorium. She urged denial and provided the council with ready-to-use findings for denial.
  • Rebuttal: Ms. Hodiern countered that the plan is not a static document, that the site will use public water/sewer, and that stormwater will be managed by an existing detention pond. Ms. Early emphasized that the plan’s intent was to protect the residential edge.

• I-4 – Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget

  • Dave Coker (Professional Firefighters of Greensboro) spoke in support, highlighting the need for fire separation allowance, replacement of aging fire trucks, and expansion of the behavioral health response team (BHART).
  • Robert Isner (resident) spoke in opposition, expressing concern that the city budget increased 80% over 10 years while population grew only 8%, and urged better stewardship.
  • Jason Hicks (resident) criticized the late posting of the agenda (5:50 PM the day before) and the appearance of recusals only after public pressure, questioning the transparency of the $910 million budget process.

Discussion Items

• AI Data Centers – Councilmember Crawford called for a six-month moratorium to study impacts on water, power, and neighborhoods. Mayor Pro Tem Roth and the city attorney explained that council already directed staff to flag any new data center applications and that a policy process is underway. The city attorney noted that North Carolina moratoriums are in litigation and that a moratorium cannot stop already-approved projects. Council agreed to improve community communication on the issue.
• Councilmember Comments – Several members highlighted upcoming events: Juneteenth celebrations, Pride month activities, World Refugee Day, coffee with council series, and community meetings with the police chief. Councilmember Marshall proposed reinstating the Greensboro Community City Working Group to examine systemic racism and racial disparities, citing a 16-year life expectancy gap between Black and white residents.
• H11 Rezoning Debate – Council members debated the merits of the New Garden Road rezoning. Supporters (Marshall, Thurm, Parker, Mayor) argued the corridor plan is a guideline, not a static promise, and that a bank is a low-intensity use that fits the changing area. Opponents (Crawford and others expressed concerns about precedent) but ultimately the vote was 9-0 to approve. The council amended the New Garden Road Strategic Plan’s future land use map accordingly.
• Budget Discussion – City Manager Trey Davis presented a revised budget after the state legislature’s action on property revaluation. The proposed tax rate of 79.85 cents (a 12.6-cent increase) was necessary to maintain services, fund public safety positions, fire separation allowance, code enforcement, and infrastructure. Council members noted that inflation, supply chain costs, and state/federal mandates (e.g., PFAS regulations, body cameras) drove the increase. They emphasized that the budget is not a luxury budget but a necessity to sustain core services.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda – Approved 9-0.
• H1/H2 (3704 Liberty Road) – Annexation and R3 zoning approved 9-0.
• H3/H4 (1202-A Rankin Mill Road) – Annexation and R3 zoning approved 9-0.
• H5/H6 (1818-1830 Andrews Farm Road) – Annexation and conditional RM18 zoning approved 9-0, with an added buffer condition.
• H7/H8 (4800 Westgate City Boulevard) – Annexation and conditional commercial medium zoning approved 9-0.
• H11 (1701 New Garden Road) – Rezoning from R3 to CDCM approved 9-0, with amendment to the New Garden Road Strategic Plan.
• H12 (Justice Assistance Grant) – Approved 9-0 for three traffic enforcement vehicles.
• Spring 2026 General Text Amendment – Approved 9-0; includes nine sections updating the Land Development Ordinance for state law changes, administrative clarity, and Board of Adjustment rulings.
• I-2 through I-20 – All budget and grant ordinances approved 9-0, with the following recusals:
  • Mayor recused on I-4A (Greensboro Sports Foundation).
  • Councilmember Holston recused on I-4B (Greensboro Housing Coalition).
  • Councilmember Thurm recused on I-4C (Downtown Greensboro Parks Inc.).
• Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating Budget (I-4) – Approved 9-0 after public hearing. The budget totals approximately $910 million with a general fund of $485 million and a property tax rate of 79.85 cents per $100 valuation.
• Recess and Reconvening – The meeting was recessed to reconvene on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 1:15 PM in the Katie Dorsett Council Chambers to finalize budget ordinances and the tax levy.