Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - February 20, 2024
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Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - February 20, 2024
The Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission convened on February 20, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The commission reviewed four items: approval of minutes, a rezoning request, a downtown signage text amendment, and two street closure petitions. All items were recommended for approval with unanimous votes.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the January 16, 2024 meeting were approved by unanimous consent.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Rezoning (Frog Level Road): Scott Anderson, speaking on behalf of the applicant Reggie Spain Homes, expressed support for the rezoning. He explained that the request enables the property to be developed with premium utility sewer and noted the rezoning would be followed by annexation next month.
- Downtown Signage Text Amendment: Gail Wallace, representing Clarendon Properties (developer of the downtown Hilton hotel), spoke in favor of the amendment. She stated that the hotel would benefit from larger signage that is visible and impactful to arriving guests.
- College Heights Street Closure: No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition.
- Proctor Circle Street Closure: Josh Lewis, President/CEO of the Greenville ENC Alliance and owner of an adjacent property, spoke in favor of the closure.
Discussion Items
- Rezoning Request – Reggie Spain Homes (52.608 acres at Frog Level Road/Madera Drive): Staff presented the request to rezone property from Pitt County's RR (Rural-Residential) to the city's RA20 (Residential-Agricultural) district. The property is located along the northern right-of-way of Frog Level Road at the terminus of Madera Drive. Staff noted the current county zoning could accommodate 60 to 65 single-family lots, while the proposed RA20 zoning could accommodate 140 to 170 lots. The property is not currently in the city's ETJ; annexation is scheduled for March 14, 2024. Following the public hearing, the commission discussed the request and voted unanimously to recommend approval, finding it consistent with the comprehensive plan.
- Text Amendment – Downtown Signage (Exposed Walls and Parapets): Staff from the Planning and Development Services Department presented a proposed amendment to Title 9, Chapter 4, Article N (Signs) to allow additional signage in the CD (Downtown Commercial) zoning district. The amendment would add definitions for "exposed wall" and "parapet" and permit signage calculations on exposed walls at a rate not to exceed 1.5 square feet per linear foot. Staff provided examples, including the former Ken's Furniture building and the new downtown Hilton hotel. The proposed standards would apply only to CD-zoned properties. Staff reported that the Downtown Greenville Partnership received the presentation on February 7, 2024, and no negative feedback was received. The Horizons plan supports quality signage in the uptown area. During discussion, commissioners asked about lighting and digital signage; staff clarified that such signs would be subject to the same standards as elsewhere in the city. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the text amendment as consistent with the comprehensive plan.
- Street Closure – College Heights Subdivision (Laurel Street, Second Street Terrace, Sycamore Street): Staff reviewed a petition by Cypress Glen Retirement Community (United Methodist Retirement Homes) to close unimproved sections of these streets to facilitate an expansion. The right-of-way was dedicated but never improved. Greenville Utilities requested an electrical easement. City staff would require necessary improvements or a bond before City Council action. The closed right-of-way would be split evenly between adjacent property owners. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to City Council.
- Street Closure – Proctor Circle: Staff presented a petition by both adjoining property owners to close the unimproved right-of-way of Proctor Circle in the Indi-Green subdivision. The property is located north of the river near the Greenville Bypass and Sugg Parkway. Greenville Utilities requested water and sewer easements for existing utilities. Since it is a DOT street, plans for any necessary improvements (e.g., driveway or ditch) must be approved and bonded. No properties would lose street access; both properties front Sugg Parkway. Josh Lewis spoke in favor. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to City Council.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the January 16, 2024 minutes.
- Recommended approval of the rezoning request for 52.608 acres at Frog Level Road (RR to RA20) to City Council.
- Recommended approval of the text amendment allowing additional signage in the CD district.
- Recommended approval of the street closures for Laurel Street, Second Street Terrace, and Sycamore Street in College Heights Subdivision.
- Recommended approval of the street closure for Proctor Circle.
- All five votes were unanimous.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, the meeting will now come to order. Welcome to the February 20th, 2024 meeting of the Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission. My name is Alan Brock, and I'm the chair of this commission. Mr. Andrew Denton, would you mind the invocation tonight, please? Um be glad to. Let's pray. Um, dear Lord, please look over this commission to make the best decisions for our community um for this year. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Uh Madam Clerk, could you please call the roll? Alan Bob. Here. Here. Billy Parker. Andrew Jansen. Present. Here. Alan Finland. Here. Hunter Caton. Zach Windstein? Here. John Carling? Here. Thank you. Here. We have forum. Okay, you all have been presented in advance with the minutes from the January 16th, 2024 meeting and have had an opportunity to read and review the minutes. Are there any questions or corrections? Motion approved. Second. We have a motion by Mr. Thomas and seconded by Mr. Fason. All those in favor say aye. Hi. Aye. Any in opposition. Okay. We'll move on to new business. Um item number two, request by Reggie Spain Homes LLC to re rezone 52.608 acres along the northern right-of-way of Frog Level Road and at the current terminus of Madura Drive from Rural Residential to RA20. Okay. Public hearing is now open. The first speaker will have five minutes with each additional speaker having three until 30 minutes has expired. Staff got a new staff for the process. Oh, we have to staff presentation. We're getting ahead of ourselves.
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