Greenville City Council Meeting - March 14, 2024

The Greenville City Council met on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting began with an invocation by Councilmember Les Robinson and the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call established a quorum with all seven members present (Mayor Connolly, Mayor Pro Tem Daniels, Councilmembers Foreman, Blackburn, Scully, Robinson, and Willis). The agenda was approved 6-0.

Special Recognitions

• Chris Hinson, Recreation and Parks Department retiree with 30 years of service, was recognized for his impact on local tennis.
• Greenville Fire Rescue was recognized for achieving accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, making them one of only 300 accredited departments in the United States.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jerry McCroy urged the council to represent citizens justly and with wisdom, noting positive interactions with council members.
• Lee Mills spoke about the need for spiritual wisdom in decision-making and requested property tax relief.
• Rick Cannon thanked the council for hosting a Cub Scout troop and allowing them to learn about city government.

Appointments

The council approved appointments to several boards and commissions:

• Affordable Housing Loan Committee: Arjuna Jones Williams appointed on a 6-0 vote.
• Historic Preservation Commission: deferred due to need for more information.
• Multimodal Transportation Commission: Gary Fenton appointed on a 6-0 vote.
• Youth Council: Seven members appointed on a 6-0 vote (Rachel Nelson, Alana Ethan, Zachary Cash, Dakota Parrott, Taylor Gundy, Amelia Octagon, Michaela Keys).
• Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): The mayor and mayor pro tem were designated as primary and alternate seats as ex officio positions, approved 6-0.

Public Hearings

Items 5-8: Annexations and Rezoning (All passed 6-0)

• Item 5: Annexation of Langston Commercial and Office Park Lot 8 (1.880 acres, northeastern corner of Regency Boulevard and South Memorial Drive, estimated tax value $3 million). Approved.
• Item 6: Annexation of Wimbledon Park Lot 2B (3.3453 acres, western right-of-way of Wimbledon Drive, 28 townhomes, estimated tax value $4.76 million). Approved.
• Item 7: Annexation of Reggie Spain Homes LLC property (52.608 acres, northern right-of-way of Frog Level Road, 155 single-family lots, estimated tax value $24.8 million). Approved.
• Item 8: Rezoning of the same property from RR (Pitt County jurisdiction) to RA20 (Residential-Agricultural). Staff noted the property could yield 140-170 single-family lots under RA20 (vs. 60-65 under county RR), and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Approved.

Item 9: Signage Amendment for Downtown Commercial Zone (Passed 6-0)

• Ordinance to amend Title 9, Chapter 4, Article N to allow additional wall signage for buildings with exposed walls taller than neighboring buildings in the CD (Downtown Commercial) district. The amendment was driven by new development including the hotel on Evans Street. Staff presented examples and calculations. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Approved.

Item 10: Text Amendment to Allow Commercial Recreation in RA20 (Denied 6-0)

• This ordinance, requested by Amanda Bambrick on behalf of Sawyer's Fun Park, would add "Commercial recreation; indoor and outdoor, not otherwise listed" as a special use in the RA20 zoning district, with standards including 200-foot setbacks, buffer yard E, lighting limits, and noise limits (60 dBA at property line). The applicant planned a $16 million expansion (go-karts, mini golf, driving range) on a 30-acre site adjacent to residential neighborhoods (Cory Ridge and Blackwood). The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-2 to recommend denial.
• Public testimony: Supporters included local business owners and residents who argued the amendment would provide needed family entertainment, retain young professionals, and generate tax revenue. Opponents (neighbors) raised concerns about noise, traffic, property values, safety, and the citywide impact of the amendment. A recording of noise from the existing park was played. The county planning board had also recommended denial.
• Council discussion: Several council members expressed support for the concept but opposed the location and the citywide nature of the amendment without broader community input. Councilmember Willis noted that many RA20-zoned areas would be affected without their knowledge. The motion to deny was made by Mayor Pro Tem Daniels, seconded by Councilmember Robinson, and passed 6-0.

Item 11: Ordinance Prohibiting Unauthorized Use of Limited Use Dumpsters (Passed 6-0)

• Second reading of an ordinance prohibiting unauthorized use of dumpsters on city property, primarily targeting downtown. Fines: $100 (first offense), $250 (second), $500 (third) within 365 days. Civil citation with possibility of criminal misdemeanor. Approved.

City Manager's Report

• Approved the consent agenda for the March 25 meeting (6-0).
• Recognized employees Kylie Rouse (HR staff support specialist) and Trinette Green (collections and parking manager) as "rock stars" for their exceptional service.

Comments from Mayor and City Council

• Councilmembers made announcements about Women's History Month, Easter, St. Patrick's Day events, ECU athletics, and safe celebrations. Councilmember Foreman emphasized responsible growth and putting people first. Mayor Connolly noted his daughter's softball tournament.

Key Outcomes

• Items 5-9 and 11: All approved 6-0.
• Item 10 (RA20 text amendment): Denied 6-0.
• Appointments: All passed 6-0.
• The meeting adjourned after approximately 2.5 hours.