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.
These items were approved unanimously (6-0) with minimal discussion:
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.
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.
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.