Greenville City Council Meeting – November 13, 2025

The Greenville City Council convened on November 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included special recognitions, public comments, appointments to boards and commissions, and two public hearings: one to amend the Uptown Outdoor Dining Permit (renamed Downtown Outdoor Dining Permit) and one for the initial adoption of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). All votes were unanimous (6‑0) except where noted.

Recognitions & Awards

• Kelly Wall – Retiree from Public Works Department (2005–2025). Recognized for his work in landscaping, cemetery maintenance, and tree planting.
• Curtis Liverman – Retiree from Greenville Police Department (22 years 7 months of service). Led the Major Crimes Unit to a 100% homicide clearance rate in the past year.
• Greenville ENC Alliance – Received three 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council: Gold for multimedia promotion, Gold for talent development/retention, and Economic Development Organization of the Year (population 25,000–200,000). Also recognized as an accredited economic development organization.
• City Manager Michael Cowan – Honored for 10 years of service to the City of Greenville.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ann Maxwell – Expressed appreciation to council for listening to citizens, praised the new trash/recycling container project, sidewalk and ADA improvements, and commended police and public works staff.
• Unnamed speaker (later identified as Maury) – Thanked staff and the public for input on the UDO process.
• During the UDO public hearing: multiple speakers addressed tree preservation, pedestrian/bike connectivity, and park dedication. No testimony was given in opposition.

Appointments

All appointments passed 6‑0:

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

Discussion Items

1. Outdoor Dining Permit Amendments (Item 5)

• Proposal: Rename "Uptown Outdoor Dining Permit" to "Downtown Outdoor Dining Permit"; reduce required unobstructed pedestrian path width from 5 ft (60 in) to 4 ft (48 in) along city‑maintained streets (except Dickinson Avenue, which remains under NCDOT standards); extend removal/secure time from 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.; add bar (2022), microbrewery, microdistillery, and wine/beer store as eligible uses downtown.
• Presentation: Chief Planner Shantae Gooby explained the changes apply only to downtown (green area on map). Applicants must submit a scale drawing for review by multiple city departments.
• Applicant testifies: Sharif Atun (owner of Tribe Silo) stated they serve coffee, smoothies, and cocktails until 1 a.m. and want outdoor seating. Confirmed no food is served after 1 a.m.
• Council discussion: Councilmember Robinson expressed concerns about sidewalk congestion, safety near alcohol service, and ADA access. Councilmember Willis noted the application process will ensure safety. No public opposition.

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

• Presentation: Sarah Sinatra (Inspire Placemaking Collective) reviewed the two‑year process: seven open houses, five city‑staffed events, surveys, task force meetings, and public feedback. Key changes include: reorganization of codes, conditional zoning, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in certain residential districts, tiny home standards, cottage courts, enhanced tree and buffer standards (native species increased to 50%, street trees increased from 2 to 3 per 100 ft, incentives for preserving existing trees), sidewalk fee‑in‑lieu options, sign updates to meet federal law, and removal of rope lighting with a one‑year amortization period.
• Public comments: Several speakers requested improvements: emphasis on tree preservation (especially parking lot canopy), requirement for pedestrian access from street frontage to building entrances, bicycle facility requirements for certain street widenings, parkland dedication standards, and general stronger environmental provisions. All expressed support for the UDO with these additions.
• Council discussion: Councilmember Blackburn proposed a friendly amendment to remove R9S zoning from allowed ADU locations, arguing the "S" stands for single‑family only. After discussion, no other councilmember supported the amendment, so it was dropped. Councilmember Willis highlighted ongoing conversations about parkland dedication and the comprehensive plan update. Councilmember Foreman stressed the need for continued dialogue on recreation areas.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve Outdoor Dining Permit amendments (Item 5): Passed 6‑0.
• Motion to adopt the Unified Development Ordinance (Item 6): Passed 6‑0. The ordinance will become effective in spring 2026, with training for staff and public in January–February 2026. Council directed staff to continue discussions on parkland dedication, pedestrian connectivity, and bicycle infrastructure as part of the upcoming land‑use plan update.
• All appointments: Passed 6‑0 (as listed above).

City Manager’s Report

City Manager Cowan recognized the Greenville Police Department Traffic Safety Unit for increased enforcement: from January through November 1, 2025, traffic stops increased by over 5,000, citations by over 6,700, warning citations by 288, and total violations cited by over 7,500 compared to the same period in 2024. The goal is to reduce traffic accidents.

Council Comments

Council members offered congratulations to retirees, award winners, and the city manager. They also highlighted the Higgs House preservation project, National Adoption Month, pancreatic cancer awareness, and encouraged support for local food drives ahead of Thanksgiving.

Adjournment: 6‑0 vote.