Greenville City Council Meeting – December 11, 2025

The Greenville City Council met on December 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included an invocation, special recognitions, public comment, consent agenda, six public hearings, and several other business items. All votes were unanimous except where noted.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3-8 were approved unanimously (5-0, with Councilmember Robinson joining later): abandonment of a drainage easement, conveyance of right-of-way for Evans Street/Old Tar Road widening, acceptance of property for an electric substation, contract awards for stormwater pipelining and Trafalgar Drive stormwater improvement, and various tax refunds.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kaylin Owen and Michelle Wallace, troop leaders of Girl Scout Troop 3003, introduced their members who were working on a government and democracy badge.
• An ECU sociology professor brought his class for field observations. No substantive comments on agenda items were made.

Public Hearings

Annexation and Rezoning – Mills Road/Wolf Pit Road (Items 9 & 10)

• Staff presented a request to annex and rezone 119.163 acres (owned by RDP Management Consulting and Houses BPR) from RA (Pitt County) to R9S (Single-Family Residential). The property is expected to yield 340-350 single-family lots with an estimated tax value of $112.125 million. The planning and zoning commission had recommended denial 7-1.
• Public comment: Patty O'Daniel, a resident of Mills Road, opposed the development citing traffic congestion, flooding concerns, and the rapid pace of development. No other speakers.
• Council discussion focused on traffic impacts, particularly during school drop-off/pickup at Hope Middle School and DH Conley High School. Staff noted Mills Road is currently at 28% capacity and would increase to 36% with the development. The applicant noted that required NCDOT improvements would include left and right turn lanes. The city also plans to use the increased tax base to fund infrastructure and public safety improvements.
• Vote: Motion to approve by Councilmember Willis, second by Councilmember Robinson. Passed 6-0.

Rezoning on NC 43 North (Item 11)

• Request to rezone 0.937 acres from RA20 to CG (General Commercial) for a property that historically housed a recording studio and previously a grocery store/filling station. The property cannot be developed residentially due to state deed restrictions. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval unanimously.
• Public comment: Applicants Robert Forbes, Jr. and James Forbes spoke in favor, noting the property's commercial history and the need for commercial services for surrounding large residential developments (Ironwood, Carolina Cross, etc.). No opposition.
• Vote: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Foreman, second by Councilmember Robinson. Passed 6-0.

Bar and Microbrewery Text Amendment (Item 12)

• Staff proposed amendments to increase the maximum size of Bar 2022 uses from 2,000 to 3,500 sq ft, allow them in additional commercial districts (CD, CDF, CG, CH) with a special use permit, and add a 500-foot separation from single-family districts. For microbreweries, the amendment would allow mixed beverage permits, add a maximum size of 8,000 sq ft, add the same separation distance, and impose compliance standards for public safety and nuisance.
• Public comment: Bill Bridges, managing owner of Pitt Street Brewing, spoke in support, noting that a mixed beverage permit would help his business recover from revenue declines due to road construction. He raised concerns about security personnel requirements.
• Council discussion: Members noted that the changes are incremental and will allow bars to spread out from downtown, improving downtown's retail mix. A concern about ambiguous security language was raised, and staff agreed to bring back a clarifying amendment.
• Vote: Motion by Councilmember Scully, second by Councilmember Hardy. Passed 6-0.

2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for CDBG/HOME Funds (Item 13)

• Staff presented the first public hearing for the plan. No public comment was received. No vote required.

Closure of Brandenburg Street (Item 14)

• Staff presented a resolution to close a portion of Brandenburg Street to align with a new cul-de-sac. GUC requested utility easements remain. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval. No public comment. Vote: Motion by Councilmember Robinson, second by Councilmember Willis. Passed 6-0.

Other Business

Public Art Placement (Item 15)

• Holly Garriott from Emerge Gallery requested approval to place four sculptures on city property as part of the 20th annual DownEast Sculpture Exhibition. The sculptures are leased from artists and rotated annually. Vote: Motion by Councilmember Scully, second by Councilmember Willis. Passed 6-0.

Downtown Greenville Partnership Contract (Item 16)

• Executive Director Troy Dreyfus presented the 2025-26 contract for services, highlighting events, beautification, marketing, and partnerships. He noted that Pirate Fest generated a record profit of $43,000 returned to the city. Councilmember Willis raised concerns about students of color feeling unwelcome downtown, and Dreyfus committed to discussing the issue at monthly bar owner meetings. Vote: Motion by Councilmember Scully, second by Councilmember Robinson. Passed 6-0.

Purchase of Affordable Homes from Pitt Community College (Item 17)

• Staff requested approval to purchase two student-built homes for $98,000 and $85,000 to expand affordable housing inventory under the 50/10 plan. The homes are 3-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,300 sq ft. Council praised the partnership with PCC and the program's impact. Vote: Motion by Councilmember Willis, second by Councilmember Scully. Passed 6-0.

Sports Complex Land Acquisition (Item 18)

• Staff requested approval to purchase two parcels totaling 127 acres (near Highway 264 and Sunnyside Road) for $1,941,650 for a future sports complex. The site can accommodate a 12-field baseball/softball complex. The project is part of a larger effort to boost sports tourism. Vote: Motion by Councilmember Scully, second by Councilmember Jones. Passed 6-0.

Land Donation from RDP Management (Item 19)

• Staff requested acceptance of a donation of 40 acres on Wolf Pit Road for a future park, fire station, and/or police substation. The land is adjacent to the annexation area discussed earlier. Vote: Motion by Councilmember Willis, second by Councilmember Scully. Passed 6-0.

Budget Ordinance Amendment #5 (Item 20)

• CFO Jacob Joyner presented the amendment, which includes appropriations for facility maintenance, a firefighters grant ($70,000), donations ($3,500), transit fleet expansion ($837,000, fully grant-funded), and a COPS grant for eight additional sworn officers ($1.25 million over three years). The operating budget increases to $203.7 million. Vote: Motion by Councilmember Robinson, second by Councilmember Hardy. Passed 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• All items on the agenda were approved or received as planned.
• The council voted to cancel the December 22 meeting.
• Delbert Brunt was recognized as the new Assistant Director of Public Works.
• The meeting adjourned into closed session at the end.