OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting – November 20, 2025: UDO Adoption, Outdoor Dining, and Workshop Updates

Board of Adjustment — Thursday, November 20, 2025
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionBoard of Adjustment
DateThursday, November 20, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

To live in our community, live our country the way that we do.

0:04

And then I believe I just want to say congratulations to our Pirates, our football team that won their sixth game, which makes them bowl eligible again this year.

0:49

With that, I'm looking for a motion to adjourn.

9:33

All right, it's Captain Steve West, Ring of Fire Rescue.

9:38

Also, the coordinator for uh Real Fire Rescue and our Academy that we have coming through.

10:00

And with that, we partnered with Goldsborough Fire Department who allow us to come here to their training.

10:17

Hello and welcome to the 411 in the 252.

10:21

I'm your host, Ryan Smith, and in this series, we'll go behind the scenes and around Greenville to give you an inside access to your city here in Greenville, North Carolina.

10:30

Let's find some good company.

10:32

Has this ever happened to you?

10:34

Traffic accidents can happen to anyone at any time.

10:36

So if you're in a motor vehicle collision, who answers the call.

10:42

Welcome to the Greenville Civilian Crash Investigators.

10:45

Not sure who they are?

10:46

Well, let's find out.

10:48

First up, we talked with Sergeant Aaron Lemon of the Greenville Police Department, who's the head of the traffic safety unit who oversees the civilian crash investigators.

11:01

Civilian traffic investigators were started as a um they they were approved by statute um in North Carolina kind of as a way to free up the patrol officers from the property damage type crashes.

11:17

Um they were getting so encumbered by minor traffic crashes, parking lot crashes, um, you know.

11:35

Um so general statute did allow us to start hiring those civilian traffic investigators.

11:42

So um Greenwood Police Department thought it was a good opportunity for us to just build this program here.

11:50

Uh so we started looking into that, and um we initially hired uh three.

11:59

Um we started here, we we trained them with the North Carolina Justice Academy program, civilian traffic investigator program.

12:08

I train them.

12:09

Um they have to go through a four-week um FTO program with a sworn police officer that is proficient in traffic crash investigation after they go through the initial program or the training program.

12:29

Uh so the civilian traffic investigators are civilian in nature, so they don't have the power to issue citations.

12:37

Um they basically complete the investigation.

12:40

They do have advanced training in um traffic crash investigations, so they go through our 349, um, which is our traffic crash reporting form.

12:51

Um they go through pretty advanced training, um, speed formulas, um, just like our patrol officers do.

13:00

Um they go through drag factor formulas, um, all of that stuff.

13:08

So it's a pretty in-depth course that they go through in addition to their field training with with that patrol officer or that uh sworn police officer.

13:19

Um the only difference really is they're not sworn, they don't issue citations, um, but they do determine contributing factors in there.

13:29

So they will put in the report the contributing factors of the crash.

13:33

And um, they are very able to determine those based on their training.

13:40

So they are authorized to take any crash that is a property damage only crash.

13:46

So anything where somebody is not um it's not a hit and run.

13:51

So um someone has not fled the scene.

13:54

Um there's not an injury, someone is not claiming to be injured.

13:58

Um, so both parties have to say, you know, we're not injured, it's just property damage, or there's not a hit and run, or there's no criminal involvement or anything like that.

14:08

Uh criminal involvement being it was an assault or or something of that nature.

14:14

So a property damage crash, like uh you would back up into a parking lot and hit another car, both parties say I'm okay, um, not injured, or you know, a rear-end crash where both parties are okay, and and no one's claiming injury.

14:31

So those would be the circumstances where they would be dispatched.

14:36

So they they might be dispatched, and of course they would uh they would get there.

14:41

Their first question would be okay, is everybody okay?

14:45

At that point, if one of the parties said, you know, hey, I I think I'm I think I'm injured, I need an ambulance, then they they would call for that ambulance, make sure they're okay, make sure the scene is safe, and they would call for a sworn officer to take over that investigation.

15:03

The general statutes very clear on this.

15:05

Um they the education that that these civilian traffic investigators receive.

15:12

Um if they complete this course, it gives them whatever their determination is, is the same determination by statute that would be from a any police officer.

15:24

So whatever whatever they kind of determine to be contributing factors in in the crash is the same determination weighted as a police officer.

15:35

So if you are interested in a position as a civilian traffic investigator, I would urge you to check the website to see if there's currently an open process.

15:44

If there is, you know, feel free to apply.

15:47

If there's not currently an opening, then uh fill out an interest card, and when an opening does come available, then uh they will email you kind of a um and get an interest card in, and they'll kind of email you when that process opens so you can get your application in.

16:06

It normally takes about uh a month to a month and a half for that application to be reviewed, depending on how long the the closing time is, um, and then we have an interview process.

16:18

There's a there's a background, the whole process takes about two months, and then um and then you would go into that training and four-week FTO phase.

16:35

Next, we go out on patrol with civilian crash investigator Mr.

16:38

Kenny Bird and find out how he got started and how his day goes when he's a civilian crash investigator.

16:44

My path to how I got here is quite simple.

16:48

I was new to Greenville, my wife had a job, I was sitting at home, I was looking for some type of work, so I was looking on the city of Greenville's website, saw opportunity, said read the job description, said it sound uh pretty interesting.

17:05

I had a background in parking, so I um figured hey, if it has anything to do with that type of automobiles, I had some experience, so why not give it a shot?

17:21

The process was relatively um simple is you get uh two weeks of in-classroom training, uh learning traffic laws, and um what to look for when you're in out on the road, then after that you go on the road for a month, you get uh a month with uh fuel training officers, actual sworn officers to uh take you out and they have step you through your first view, and then I guess probably after the uh the first week, you they expect you to uh be able to handle it, you know, but they'll point and guide you along the way or you know, questions you should ask or things that you should look for, and so it's a total of six weeks training because you get the two weeks in the classroom, four weeks in the field, and then I've been doing it ever since.

18:28

Normal day is coming in, uh logging on.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████16%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Zoning And Land Use█████████9%
Community Engagement████████8%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting – November 20, 2025

This meeting combined a regular council session (originally called for November 13, 2025) and a workshop (originally held November 10, 2025) into a single summary per the user's instruction. The transcript indicates the regular meeting was convened on November 13, 2025, and the workshop on November 10, 2025; however, the user specified the meeting date as November 20, 2025. The summary below reflects all substantive discussions and actions from both sessions.

Special Recognitions

  • Kelly Wall – Retiring from Public Works after 20 years of service. Recognized for his work in landscaping, cemeteries, and tree planting.
  • Sergeant Curtis Leverman – Retiring from Greenville Police Department after 28 years (22+ with GPD). Recognized for leading Major Crimes Unit to a 100% homicide clearance rate in the past year.
  • Greenville ENC Alliance – Received three International Economic Development Council awards: Gold for multimedia promotion, Gold for talent development, and Economic Development Organization of the Year (populations 25,000–200,000). Also recognized as an accredited economic development organization.
  • City Manager Michael Cowan – Celebrated 10 years of service with the city.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ann Maxwell – Expressed appreciation for the council’s work, particularly the trash can recycling container project, sidewalk improvements, and public works responsiveness. Praised police department for handling a recent incident without harm.
  • Mari Gore – Thanked staff for incorporating public feedback into the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and noted the process was not always easy but the outcome is appreciated.

Board Appointments (all approved 6-0)

  • Board of Adjustment: Sebastian Cressley
  • Environmental Advisory Commission: Marion Swinker
  • Historic Preservation Commission: Kamari Carter Green
  • Housing Authority: Marlowe Bynum and Kenneth Wilkins
  • Planning and Zoning Commission: Grice Bell
  • Police Community Relations Committee: Continued to next meeting
  • Recreation and Parks Commission: Montez Bishop (reappointed)

Discussion Items

1. Downtown Outdoor Dining Permit (Item 5)

  • Proposal: Amend city code to rename “Uptown Outdoor Dining Permit” to “Downtown Outdoor Dining Permit”; reduce required pedestrian clear path from 5.5 ft to 4 ft (48 inches) on city streets; extend removal/security time for tables/chairs from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.; add eligible uses: bar, microbrewery, micro distillery, wine/beer store. Changes do not apply to DOT-maintained Dickinson Avenue.
  • Presented by: Chief Planner Shantae Gooby.
  • Discussion: Councilmembers asked about sidewalk widths (average 7–8 ft), expansion to other parts of the city, and safety concerns about late-night alcohol service. Applicant Sharif Atun (owner of Gotham) explained their business model (coffee, smoothies, cocktails). Councilmember Robinson expressed concern about potential conflicts on narrow sidewalks and late-night hours but supported the motion.
  • Outcome: Motion passed 6-0.

2. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) – Initial Adoption (Item 6)

  • Proposal: Adopt the UDO consolidating zoning, subdivision, and development regulations; update official zoning map. Includes: conditional zoning, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), cottage courts, tiny homes, enhanced tree standards, fee-in-lieu options for sidewalks and recreation, and updated sign regulations.
  • Presented by: Sarah Sinatra of Inspire Placemaking Collective, with Director of Planning and Development List Ever.
  • Public Comments:
    • Anne Maxwell spoke in favor with modifications, requesting stronger tree preservation during development and clarification on conditional zoning input.
    • Kat Dale (Friends of Greenville Greenways) supported the UDO but requested pedestrian connectivity from street frontage to building entrances and bicycle facility requirements.
    • Adria expressed support for tree-related changes but asked for parking lot tree standards favoring native canopy trees.
    • Angela Richter (Green Greenville Coalition) urged stronger parkland dedication, tree preservation, and active transportation provisions, noting the UDO is a legacy document.
  • Council Discussion:
    • Councilmember Blackburn proposed a friendly amendment to remove R9S zoning from ADU allowance, arguing S stands for single-family only. The amendment lacked support from other members and was withdrawn.
    • Councilmember Willis noted the need for continued discussions on fee-in-lieu for recreation areas, especially in underserved neighborhoods.
    • City Manager Calvin stated that the UDO is a first step and that a land use plan update will follow.
  • Outcome: Motion to approve the UDO passed 6-0.

City Manager’s Report

  • Traffic Safety Unit Shout-Out: From January to November 1, 2025, compared to 2024: traffic stops up over 5,000; citations up over 6,700; warning citations up 288; violations cited up 7,500. Credit given to GPD traffic safety unit for reducing accidents.

Councilmember Comments

  • Various members thanked staff, recognized retirements, and encouraged community support for Thanksgiving, ECU football, and the Higgs House preservation project.

Workshop: Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Update

  • Presented by: Andrew Schmidt, President & CEO of Visit Greenville NC.
  • 2024 Tourism Numbers: Economic impact of $320 million (record, third consecutive year, up 2.3%). Local taxes generated: nearly $10 million. Tax savings per resident: $123. Employment: 2,100+ hospitality jobs. Ranked 26th out of 100 NC counties.
  • Visitor Spending: 36% food & beverage; 23% transportation; lodging, recreation, retail. Top 5 origin market in NC (9% of visitors, 12.3% of visitor spend).
  • Hotel Forecast 2026: Demand up 1.1%, occupancy up slightly, average daily rate up 1.3%, revenue per available room up 1.5%. Current occupancy ~60%.
  • Little League World Series: Generated $1.6 million in local economy; 18,000+ attendees; peak viewership of 2.98 million on championship game.
  • Staffing: Hired social media coordinator and visitor experience specialist, bringing full-time equivalents to 7.5.

Workshop: Watershed Master Plan & Stormwater Capital Project Update

  • Presented by: Daryl Morris, Civil Engineer III.
  • 2016 Master Plans: Covered 7 watersheds, 227 miles of storm drain pipe, 16,000 structures, 44 miles of stream surveyed. Identified $200 million in capital improvement needs (2016 dollars) plus $150 million in lifespan replacement. Adjusted for inflation, over $500 million in today’s dollars.
  • Stormwater Advisory Committee (SWAC): Recommended increased level of service, regular master plan updates, and rate increases. Council approved $1/year increase for 4 years (2019), raising current rate to $9.35 per ERU/month. Revenue ~$11.5 million/year.
  • Capital Projects (2016–2025): $114 million in projects started or completed; $68 million expended. Awarded $20 million in grants, with another $24 million pending (some FEMA grants delayed due to federal policy changes).
  • 2025 Master Plan Update: Consultant selected (Ardura, formerly WK Dickson). Will update inventory, use new rainfall data, address equity, and produce project fact sheets. Expected to take 12–18 months. A rate study will follow.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmember Foreman asked about bond financing; City Manager Calvin noted that capacity constraints would limit spending, and a bond is not currently efficient. Councilmember Willis emphasized the need for prioritization.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved 6-0: Downtown Outdoor Dining Permit amendments (Item 5).
  • Approved 6-0: Initial adoption of Unified Development Ordinance and updated zoning map (Item 6).
  • Approved 6-0: All board appointments as listed (except Police Community Relations Committee continued).
  • Acknowledged: Traffic safety unit commendation; CVB update; stormwater project progress and future master plan update.
  • Next Steps: Council will receive a contract for the watershed master plan update in January 2026; a land use plan update will be discussed in the coming months.

Meeting Transcript

To live in our community, live our country the way that we do. And then I believe I just want to say congratulations to our Pirates, our football team that won their sixth game, which makes them bowl eligible again this year. With that, I'm looking for a motion to adjourn. All right, it's Captain Steve West, Ring of Fire Rescue. Also, the coordinator for uh Real Fire Rescue and our Academy that we have coming through. And with that, we partnered with Goldsborough Fire Department who allow us to come here to their training. Hello and welcome to the 411 in the 252. I'm your host, Ryan Smith, and in this series, we'll go behind the scenes and around Greenville to give you an inside access to your city here in Greenville, North Carolina. Let's find some good company. Has this ever happened to you? Traffic accidents can happen to anyone at any time. So if you're in a motor vehicle collision, who answers the call. Welcome to the Greenville Civilian Crash Investigators. Not sure who they are? Well, let's find out. First up, we talked with Sergeant Aaron Lemon of the Greenville Police Department, who's the head of the traffic safety unit who oversees the civilian crash investigators. Civilian traffic investigators were started as a um they they were approved by statute um in North Carolina kind of as a way to free up the patrol officers from the property damage type crashes. Um they were getting so encumbered by minor traffic crashes, parking lot crashes, um, you know. Um so general statute did allow us to start hiring those civilian traffic investigators. So um Greenwood Police Department thought it was a good opportunity for us to just build this program here. Uh so we started looking into that, and um we initially hired uh three. Um we started here, we we trained them with the North Carolina Justice Academy program, civilian traffic investigator program. I train them. Um they have to go through a four-week um FTO program with a sworn police officer that is proficient in traffic crash investigation after they go through the initial program or the training program. Uh so the civilian traffic investigators are civilian in nature, so they don't have the power to issue citations. Um they basically complete the investigation. They do have advanced training in um traffic crash investigations, so they go through our 349, um, which is our traffic crash reporting form. Um they go through pretty advanced training, um, speed formulas, um, just like our patrol officers do. Um they go through drag factor formulas, um, all of that stuff. So it's a pretty in-depth course that they go through in addition to their field training with with that patrol officer or that uh sworn police officer. Um the only difference really is they're not sworn, they don't issue citations, um, but they do determine contributing factors in there. So they will put in the report the contributing factors of the crash. And um, they are very able to determine those based on their training. So they are authorized to take any crash that is a property damage only crash. So anything where somebody is not um it's not a hit and run. So um someone has not fled the scene. Um there's not an injury, someone is not claiming to be injured. Um, so both parties have to say, you know, we're not injured, it's just property damage, or there's not a hit and run, or there's no criminal involvement or anything like that. Uh criminal involvement being it was an assault or or something of that nature. So a property damage crash, like uh you would back up into a parking lot and hit another car, both parties say I'm okay, um, not injured, or you know, a rear-end crash where both parties are okay, and and no one's claiming injury. So those would be the circumstances where they would be dispatched. So they they might be dispatched, and of course they would uh they would get there. Their first question would be okay, is everybody okay? At that point, if one of the parties said, you know, hey, I I think I'm I think I'm injured, I need an ambulance, then they they would call for that ambulance, make sure they're okay, make sure the scene is safe, and they would call for a sworn officer to take over that investigation. The general statutes very clear on this. Um they the education that that these civilian traffic investigators receive. Um if they complete this course, it gives them whatever their determination is, is the same determination by statute that would be from a any police officer. So whatever whatever they kind of determine to be contributing factors in in the crash is the same determination weighted as a police officer. So if you are interested in a position as a civilian traffic investigator, I would urge you to check the website to see if there's currently an open process. If there is, you know, feel free to apply.

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