Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - February 15, 2022
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Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - February 15, 2022
The Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission met virtually on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included three public hearing items on rezoning and land use map amendments, and a presentation on the Green Growth Toolbox.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (December 21, 2021): The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the December 21, 2021 meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 2 – Ashton Alexander Properties Rezoning: Mike Baldwin, representing the applicant, spoke in favor, noting the property’s suitability for high-density residential and supporting infrastructure.
- Item 3 – Happy Trail Farms Rezoning: Mike Baldwin spoke in favor, arguing that commercial uses already exist along NC 43 and that larger tracts are needed for quality multifamily development.
- Item 4 – Land Use Plan Map Amendment: Scott Anderson, on behalf of Commercial & Office Centers, LLC, spoke in favor, citing demand for multifamily housing near the Highway 11 bypass.
No speakers registered in opposition on any item.
Discussion Items
Item 2: Rezoning Request by Ashton Alexander Properties, LLC (27.689 acres, Allen Road)
- Staff presentation: The request seeks to change zoning from RA20 to R6 (high-density multifamily). Staff noted the property is in the Greensprings Run watershed, requires 25-year detention, floodplain permit, erosion control plan, and could generate 1,300 trips/day. It could accommodate about 95 single-family lots or 300 multifamily units. Staff recommended approval, finding consistency with the comprehensive plan.
- Commission discussion: No questions from commissioners.
- Vote: Motion to recommend approval, seconded, passed unanimously.
Item 3: Rezoning Request by Happy Trail Farms, LLC (25.168 acres, NC 43 S)
- Staff presentation: Tract 1 (7.64 acres) requested OR to CH (heavy commercial); Tract 2 (17.528 acres) requested R6A to R6. Staff raised concerns about consistency with the Horizons plan (which recommends residential) and possible spot zoning, recommending denial. The request could generate 3,400 trips/day and require a traffic impact analysis.
- Commissioner discussion: Questions about adjacent zoning, connectivity, and the county's future land use map. The county’s comprehensive plan shows commercial along NC 43, creating a conflict with the city’s plan.
- Vote: Motion to recommend approval with a finding that, while inconsistent with the comprehensive plan, the zoning is appropriate. Passed 6-2.
Item 4: Land Use Plan Map Amendment by Commercial & Office Centers, LLC (25 acres, Stantonsburg Road)
- Staff presentation: Request to change the Future Land Use and Character Map from O/I and MUHI to HDR. The property is zoned Medical Office (MO) and would not be rezoned. Staff recommended approval, noting it could accommodate about 300 multifamily units and would decrease traffic compared to current uses.
- Commissioner Overton recused himself because his firm represented the buyer.
- Vote: After recusal, motion to approve passed unanimously.
Item 5: Presentation on Green Growth Toolbox
- Dr. Robert Shaw, Chair of the Environmental Advisory Commission, presented the NC Wildlife Commission's Green Growth Toolbox, a free resource providing planners with tools to incorporate wildlife and natural resource considerations into land-use decisions.
- Commissioners asked about applicability to Wildwood Park and requested a more detailed presentation.
- Motion: Direct city staff to contact the NC Wildlife Commission to arrange a presentation to the commission. Passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Item 2: Approved unanimously for recommendation to City Council.
- Item 3: Approved 6-2 for recommendation to City Council, with a consistency finding.
- Item 4: Approved unanimously (with Overton recused) for recommendation.
- Item 5: Commission directed staff to arrange a Green Growth Toolbox presentation.
Meeting Transcript
Greetings, everyone. This meeting will now come to order. Welcome to the February 15th, 2022 meeting of the City of Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission. My name is Kevin Faison. I'm the chair of this commission. I would like to start by acknowledging that we are conducting this meeting using a remote electronic platform. I would ask for your patience today as we proceed. There may be slight delays as we transition between speakers, participants, and presentations. First tonight's meeting will be conducted by simultaneous communication in accordance with the newly enacted statutes and sessions law 2020-3, which allows for remote meetings during declarations of emergency and additional requirements regarding notice and the opportunity to be heard. Members will hear the items along with the public hearing. The public hearing will be closed. The commission will discuss the items and then vote on the items in question. Now I will ask Max Ray Joiner to do the invocation today. Please guide us and allow us to uh make the best decisions we think are possible. In your great name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. Okay. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, sir. Kevin Faison. Present. Chris West. Yeah. Les Robinson? Here. Michael Overton. Here. Billy Parker. Here. Max Ray Joyner. Here. Pat Maxwell. Here. John Collins. Here. Alan Brock. Here. Alan Thomas. Here. Mr. Chair, we have a quorum. Thank you. Next, we'll move to approval of the minutes. You all have been presented in advance with the minutes from December 21st, 2021 meeting. And I've had an opportunity to read and review the minutes. Are there any questions or corrections? With none being said, is there a motion to approve or deny? Motion approve.
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