Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - April 16, 2024
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Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - April 16, 2024
The Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular meeting on April 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included three rezoning requests, a text amendment to regulate data processing centers, a land use plan map amendment for ECU Health, and the selection of a volunteer for the Unified Development Ordinance task force. All items were approved with the text amendment receiving an additional recommendation to differentiate between cryptocurrency mining and other data processing uses. Public testimony highlighted concerns about the potential impacts of cryptocurrency mining.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the March 19, 2024 meeting were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
Rezoning Request – Tom Jose (4.945 acres): A neighbor owning property on Radford Drive expressed concerns about increased traffic, noise, and potential property value depreciation. She had not contacted the petitioner and stated she lacked data to fully oppose the rezoning. The petitioner, Tom Jose, spoke in favor, citing compatibility with adjacent properties and consistency with the land use plan.
Rezoning Requests – Hannaford (42.31 acres) and Bill Clark Homes (187.6 acres): No public opposition. Speakers in favor included Jim Walker (for Hannaford) and John Weaver (for Bill Clark Homes), both highlighting consistency with the future land use plan and availability of utilities.
Text Amendment – Data Processing Centers: Numerous citizens spoke during the public hearing, all expressing opposition to cryptocurrency mining but supporting the proposed stricter regulations as a means to prevent such facilities. Key speakers:
- Molly Holdeman criticized the original ordinance and the planning staff's information, citing environmental and health harms from crypto mining. She requested a complete ban.
- Carlos White urged the commission to consider the quality of life for residents and noted the persistence of older citizens opposed to crypto.
- Mark Parker emphasized the burden on the power grid and loss of community trust.
- Susan Redding highlighted air pollution, noise, and health impacts, calling the amendments "preventive medicine."
- Others echoed these concerns, including references to a failed Compute North facility and environmental injustice.
- Former Commissioner Hat Maxwell recanted his previous vote supporting the original ordinance.
The overall sentiment was that while the amendments are restrictive, citizens prefer a complete ban on crypto mining.
Land Use Plan Map Amendment – ECU Health: Brian Vthegundis spoke in favor, noting that the requested medical transition designation aligns with adjacent properties and the hospital's long-term plans.
Discussion Items
Rezoning – Tom Jose: The request to rezone 4.945 acres from RA20 to OR (Office Residential, High Density Multi-Family) was presented by staff. The property is located south of Old Fire Tower Road and east of Radford Drive. Staff noted stormwater requirements and compatibility with the future land use plan. After public comment, the commission voted to approve.
Rezoning – Hunter and Brett Hannaford: Request to rezone 42.31 acres from RA20 to R6S (Residential Single-Family). Staff presented that the property, located east of Dickinson Avenue Extension, could accommodate 180–190 single-family lots under the proposed zoning. The request was consistent with the future land use plan. The commission voted to approve.
Rezoning – Bill Clark Homes: Request to rezone 187.6 acres from RA (Pitt County jurisdiction) to R9S (Residential Single-Family), with voluntary annexation. Staff indicated the property, located north of Hudson's Crossroads Road, could yield 515–525 lots. The rezoning and annexation will go to City Council on May 9, 2024. The commission voted to approve.
Text Amendment – Title 9, Chapter 4 (Data Processing Centers): Staff presented modifications including: deleting definitions for modular data processing facilities; increasing separation from schools and single-family dwellings to 3,400 feet; limiting sound to 30 dB(A) at property line; restricting operating hours to 9 AM – 5 PM weekdays; and reducing the abandonment period to 180 days. Staff stated the changes were at City Council’s direction and aim to tighten regulations following concerns about cryptocurrency mining. During discussion, Commissioner Kevin Faithin noted the lack of differentiation between crypto mining and other data processing (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) and proposed leaving the current ordinance but defining crypto separately. The commission debated the implications for future data centers.
Land Use Plan Map Amendment – ECU Health: Request to amend 24.1521 acres from Office/Institutional (OI) and Residential High Density (HDR) to Medical Transition (MT) for property on B's Barbecue Road. Staff stated this anticipates a rezoning and is consistent with surrounding uses. The commission voted to approve.
Unified Development Ordinance Task Force Volunteer: The commission discussed the need for a volunteer to represent the Planning and Zoning Commission on the stakeholder group for the new Unified Development Ordinance. The time commitment is approximately four in-person meetings after hours. Chris West was nominated and volunteered, with the commission's unanimous support.
Key Outcomes
- Rezoning (Tom Jose): Approved unanimously to recommend approval to City Council.
- Rezoning (Hannaford): Approved unanimously to recommend approval.
- Rezoning (Bill Clark Homes): Approved unanimously to recommend approval.
- Text Amendment (Data Processing Centers): Approved unanimously to recommend approval to City Council. Additionally, the commission passed a separate motion (unanimous) to advise City Council to differentiate between cryptocurrency mining and other data processing uses (e.g., Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud) in future ordinances.
- Land Use Plan Map Amendment (ECU Health): Approved unanimously to recommend approval.
- UDO Task Force Volunteer: Chris West was selected to represent the commission on the stakeholder group.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, I'd like to call the meeting to order. Welcome to the April 16th, 2024 meeting of the City of Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission. My name is Alan Brock, and I'm the chair of this commission. And at this time I'd like to ask Mr. Peyton to give us an invitation, please, sir. Everybody bow your heads, please. Dear Lord, we thank you for this opportunity to gather as a community. Please guide us with the wisdom to make the best decisions for the uh all the members of our community as we handle the city's business today. In your name we pray. Amen. Thank you for that. Um roll call, Madam Clerk. Alan Brock. Here. Kevin Faithin. Present. Billy Parker. Present. Andrew Denson. Chris West. Here. Alan Thomas. Here. Hunter Payton. Here. Is that Wimesy? Here. John Collins. Kimberstone. Yeah. We have quorum. Thank you. You all have been presented in advance with the minutes from the March 19th, 2024 meeting and have had the opportunity to read and review the minutes. Are there any questions or corrections? Motion approved. Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor, aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposition? Motion passes. Move on to new business. Request by Tom Jose to rezone 4.945 acres located along the southern right of way of Old Fire Tower Road and 220 plus or minus feet east of Radford Drive from RA20 Residential or Agricultural to OR office residential high density multi-family. Um staff presentation by Chris Kelly. Good evening. Good evening. Can y'all see the presentation in front of me? I don't see anything in front of me yet. Okay, Ryan's got getting it.
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