Greenville City Council Regular Meeting - September 12, 2024
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Greenville City Council Regular Meeting - September 12, 2024
The Greenville City Council met on September 12, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting began with an invocation, pledge of allegiance, roll call, and approval of the agenda with an added closed session. All votes were 6-0 unless noted. Key actions included recognizing the Pitt County Girls Softball Team as Little League World Series champions, approving several rezoning and land use amendments, adopting transit grant applications, and setting fair market values for new homes in Lincoln Park.
Special Recognitions
- The Pitt County Girls Softball Team (ages 10-12) was honored for winning the 2024 Little League Softball World Series. They defeated Asia Pacific (10-0), Europe Africa (16-0), New England (16-0), Mid-Atlantic (1-0), and Southwest (1-0) in the championship. The team played through Hurricane Debbie and only gave up one run in 11 district/state tournament games. This marks the third consecutive year a Pitt County team reached the state tournament.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Nicole Hawkins, president of the Zeta Pi Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, spoke about the chapter's 40+ years of community service in Greenville. She highlighted upcoming initiatives: a breast cancer awareness masquerade ball on October 12 in Kinston and a Souls for a Little Soul shoe drive (November–December). She invited donations and collaboration.
Appointments
- Human Relations Council: Appointed Juan Pause; reappointed Rebecca Houston, Francisco Limon, Dejaan Williams, Tyrone Walston, and Dr. Monisha Atkinson. (6-0)
- Pitt-Greenville Convention and Visitors Authority: Appointed Brittany Parker and Stacy Moy. (6-0)
- Youth Council: Reappointed all eligible members. (6-0)
Consent Calendar
These items were approved unanimously (6-0) with minimal discussion:
- Item 3: Annexation of Brook Hollow, Section 5, Phase 1B – 12.53 acres located 1,000+ feet north of Dickinson Avenue Extension, expected to yield 12 lots with an estimated tax value of $6 million.
- Item 5: Text amendment to Title 9, Chapter 4 to allow vertical mixed-use developments (two or more uses in one building) in 12 zoning districts. Standards include a minimum of two stories, shared parking (20% reduction), and a density bonus for structured parking.
- Item 7: Future Land Use Map amendment for 0.698 acres at Dickinson Avenue Extension and Spring Creek Road from High Density Residential (HDR) to Commercial (C) to match existing zoning and use. No traffic impact anticipated.
- Item 8: Approval of the 2023-2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for CDBG and HOME programs. Highlights: 6 homeowner rehabilitations, 180 rental units under construction (Arlington Trace), 6 new construction homes, 347 homeless served, $400,000+ in rehab contracts to minority businesses.
- Item 9: Resolution authorizing application for FTA Section 5307 FY23 grant – $2.46 million federal share for GREAT operating and capital expenses, with a local share of $934,000 after state assistance. Includes expanded hours (6 AM–8 PM weekdays, Saturday service), new buses, and on-demand pilot.
- Item 10: Resolution authorizing application for FTA Section 5307 FY19 grant – $164,000 federal share for rolling stock for on-demand service (Toyota Sienna, two Ford Explorers, Ford Transit van), with $41,000 local match.
- Item 11: Established fair market values for six new homes in Lincoln Park Phase II: 616 Hudson ($216,000), 618 Hudson ($221,000), 806 Vanderbilt ($221,000), 620 Hudson ($221,000), 808 Vanderbilt ($224,000), 624 Hudson ($229,000). Down payment assistance up to $105,000 is available.
Discussion Items
Item 4: Rezoning Request by 43 Apartments LLC
A request to rezone 4.846 acres from MR (Medical-Residential) to MO (Medical-Office) for Tract 1 (1.541 acres) and from MO to MR for Tract 2 (3.305 acres) along West 5th Street. Staff reported the swap would reduce traffic by 367 trips/day and align with the future land use plan. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval (5-0).
Public opposition: Christy Woodruff, a neighboring resident, objected to Tract 2's rezoning to high-density residential, citing wetland, floodplain, and wildlife concerns (including the eastern hellbender salamander). She said the developer's intentions were unclear and feared environmental damage.
Council discussion: Councilmember Blackburn noted the property already allows office development; the rezoning reduces density. Councilmember Foreman expressed discomfort with insufficient information about the site plan. A motion to table failed due to lack of a second. Council ultimately approved 6-0 after recognizing the need for housing and the property's existing development potential.
Item 6: Future Land Use Map Amendment by HPD LLC
A request to change the future land use designation for 3.95 acres at North Memorial Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Highway from Office/Institutional (OI) to Commercial (C). The property is at a major intersection. Staff recommended approval; P&Z Commission voted 5-0 to recommend.
Public comment: Owner Powell Due assured that the adjacent mobile home park and duplexes are not slated for redevelopment and that the change aligns with existing commercial uses. Michelle Clements (The East Group) had no specific plans to present. Walter Fields, a resident, opposed a potential gas station, hoping instead for a pharmacy or grocery store. Chris Dodd, owner of nearby duplexes, asked for buffers and ingress/egress improvements.
Council discussion: Councilmember Willis raised concerns from the October 2023 meeting where staff stated the future land use sees the mobile home park area as non-residential, potentially displacing up to 250 residents. Councilmember Daniels emphasized the need for equitable growth north of the river and announced plans to evaluate the market for desired businesses. City Manager Michael Cowin offered to conduct a data-driven market analysis for the north-of-river area. The amendment passed 6-0.
Key Outcomes
- All public hearing items were approved unanimously (6-0).
- Council directed the city manager to seek a market analysis for north-of-river commercial development to attract a pharmacy, grocery store, or similar services.
- The council recognized the Inspections Division for having over 130 years of combined experience and two inspectors certified in all five state inspection disciplines.
- A closed session was entered to discuss property acquisition negotiations.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening. I'd like to call the September 12th, 2024 meeting of the Greenville City Council to order. I'm Mayor P. J. Connolly. I'll be presiding over tonight's meeting. First, can you join me for a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance? Thank you. Please just join me with for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and see the Republic for Rich's hands. Under God's role. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, sir. Here. Mayor Tim Daniels. Present. Councilmember Foreman. Here. Councilmember Blackburn. Present. Councilmember Sally. Here. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Councilmember Willis. Here. All right. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to the approval of tonight's agenda, Mr. Manager. No changes. Mr. Attorney. Second. Mr. Attorney. Mayor and Council to exit the council and a closed session motion to be read and considered at the end of the meeting. Move to approval with the addition of closed session. Second. All right, motion made by Mayor Pro Tim Daniels, second by Councilmember Blackburn. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Motion passes 6-0. All right. And I will move on to special recognitions. Oh. Okay. So our only special recognition tonight. Girls, I know you thought it was really cool to be on ABC and ESPN, but tonight you're on Channel 9 News, local, local broadcast.
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