Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - April 19, 2022
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - April 19, 2022
The Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission met on April 19, 2022, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a range of topics including a presentation on the NC Wildlife Commission's Green Growth Toolbox, several rezoning requests, preliminary plats, and significant discussion on a proposed text amendment to establish a new "bar 2022" use category. The meeting culminated in a vote on the bar amendment with a recommendation for further stakeholder engagement.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from March 15, 2022, were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Green Growth Toolbox Presentation: Brooke Massa, a conservation biologist with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, presented the voluntary technical assistance program supporting conservation-based land use planning. She highlighted the Tar River as a key conservation priority due to threatened and endangered species.
- Rezoning - Daly Hotel Management (25.30 acres): Scott Anderson spoke in favor, noting the property's compatibility with surrounding MR zoning and recent land use plan amendment.
- Rezoning - K Sade Ventures (6.05 acres): The representative requested a continuance to May 17, 2022, which was granted unanimously.
- Preliminary Plat - Winslow West (23.64 acres): Scott Anderson spoke in favor, indicating a gas station is planned for the corner lot. Robert Spruel, associate pastor at Parker's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, expressed concerns about sewer extension costs impacting their expansion plans.
- Text Amendment - Bar 2022: Multiple speakers addressed this item. Justin Millarke spoke in favor, supporting the proposed balance between adjacent uses and business community needs. Mari York, owner of 106 East 4th Street, spoke in opposition, citing historical crime increases when the 500-foot rule was previously removed and expressing concerns about enforcement effectiveness.
- Land Use Plan Map Amendment - Liberty Investment (41.67 acres): Jim Walker spoke in favor, citing the property's limited commercial viability due to access constraints and noting nearby residential development.
Discussion Items
- Green Growth Toolbox Presentation: Commissioners discussed potential partnerships, funding sources (including tax checkoffs and federal excise taxes), and examples of successful implementation in other NC communities like Chatham County.
- Rezoning - Daly Hotel Management (25.30 acres): Staff presented the request to rezone from MO to MR, noting a net increase of 684 trips per day and compatibility with surrounding uses. The motion to recommend approval passed unanimously.
- Rezoning - Denali East Place (6.54 acres): Staff presented the request to rezone from RA20 to OR, noting 360 net new trips per day and proximity to a neighborhood activity center. Discussion included sidewalk requirements. The motion to recommend approval passed unanimously.
- Preliminary Plat - Cobblestone South (10 duplex lots + 2 multi-family lots): Staff recommended approval, noting technical compliance. Commissioner Joyner expressed concern about cumulative floodplain impacts. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
- Preliminary Plat - Winslow West (3 nonresidential lots): Staff recommended approval. The motion to recommend approval passed unanimously.
- Text Amendment - Zoning Ordinance Miscellaneous Changes: Staff presented changes including increasing maximum building height in office districts from 35 to 65 feet with a 3:1 setback ratio above 45 feet, and enhanced vegetative buffers (buffer yard F instead of D). Commissioner Parker suggested checking other cities' standards. Justin Millarke supported the changes as promoting higher-quality development. The motion to recommend approval passed.
- Text Amendment - Bar 2022 Establishment: Extensive discussion occurred. Staff detailed the proposed definition, standards (closing times of midnight Sunday-Thursday, 1 AM Friday-Saturday; maximum 3,500 square feet; mandatory security with amplified entertainment after 11 PM; lighting plan; fake ID detection software; annual review by Board of Adjustment; no 500-foot rule). Commissioner Thomas expressed concerns about fairness to new businesses versus grandfathered establishments. Commissioner Joyner cited remaining data gaps and potential impacts on investments. Commissioner Maxwell supported the proposal as a compromise allowing high-end bars while maintaining oversight. Commissioner Robinson moved to table for further stakeholder engagement, but the motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Parker then moved to recommend approval with a recommendation that city council hold additional stakeholder meetings before final action. This motion passed.
- Land Use Plan Map Amendment - Liberty Investment (41.67 acres): Staff presented the request to change 41.67 acres from Commercial/Potential Conservation Open Space to High Density Residential, noting no traffic increase and alignment with surrounding land use patterns. Commissioner Thomas inquired about hydric soils and potential wetland areas. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Green Growth Toolbox: No formal action; presentation received for information.
- Rezoning - Daly Hotel Management: Recommended approval (unanimous).
- Rezoning - Denali East Place: Recommended approval (unanimous).
- Continuance - K Sade Ventures: Item continued to May 17, 2022 meeting (unanimous).
- Preliminary Plat - Cobblestone South: Approved (unanimous).
- Preliminary Plat - Winslow West: Recommended approval (unanimous).
- Text Amendment - Zoning Miscellaneous Changes: Recommended approval (unanimous).
- Text Amendment - Bar 2022: Recommended approval with recommendation that city council hold stakeholder meetings before final action (passed by voice vote).
- Land Use Plan Map Amendment - Liberty Investment: Recommended approval (unanimous).
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Welcome to the Greenville Planning Zoning Commission, April 19th, 2022 meeting. My name is Kevin Faith, and I'm the chair of this board. We will start by asking Les Robinson to lead our invoices. Thank you. Hope you join me in prayer. Lord, thank you for this day. I pray that you would give peace and comfort to the people of Ukraine and that you would deliver them from the actions and conduct of President Putin. In that same regard, Lord, I ask that you simply change his heart and mind of him to realize what he's doing. Lord, I pray that you would uh keep our leaders strong and deliberate and wise as they lead our country during this time of not only economic hardship but international crisis. And Lord asked that you give each of us patience and open mind and wisdom as we consider the issues and views that come before us tonight, and you enable us to make decisions that best serve the citizens of Greenville. And Lord, and finally we ask you plus those who are less fortunate than we are, and do everything you can to help them you can. And Lord, thank you for this day also. It's been a beautiful day. But would I ask you to warm up just a little bit particularly tonight? Your precious name we pray. Amen. Amen. Madam Clerk, you want to call the role. Yes, sir, Kevin Faison. Present. Chris West. Here. Les Robinson. Here. Michael Overton. Billy Parker. Here. Max Ray Joyner. Here. Pat Maxwell. Yeah. John Collins. Here. Alan Brock. Here. Alan Thomas. Here. We have a quorum. Thank you. Okay. Uh the minutes were previously sent out. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes, or are there any changes that need to be made? Mr. Chair, motion to approve. Motion to approve. Second. And we have a second. All right. On to new business.
openpublica.com