Community Divided Over Proposed Event Center on Randleman Road

In a recent Greensboro Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, a proposal to rezone a property at 2645 Randleman Road from light industrial (LI) to commercial medium (CM) was discussed, primarily to facilitate the establishment of an event center. The property owner, Cipriano Jose, aims to utilize part of the existing auto shop building for this new venture, which would require additional parking that aligns with the proposed CM zoning.

The applicant's representative emphasized that the rezoning is necessary as the current LI designation does not support the intended use of an event center. The city indicated that no traffic impact studies would be required for this change, which the applicant argued would benefit the community by providing a new venue for events.

However, the proposal faced opposition from local resident Sharon Hightower, who expressed concerns about the lack of community engagement and the potential negative impact on the Randleman Road corridor, which is undergoing improvements. Hightower highlighted the need for a more thoughtful approach to development in the area, emphasizing that the community deserves better treatment and that the corridor has been historically underserved.

Commissioners raised questions about the adequacy of the outreach conducted by the applicant, noting that feedback from the community was limited due to late notice of the proposal. Some members suggested postponing the decision for 30 days to allow for further community input, but the applicant opted to proceed with the hearing.

Ultimately, the commission acknowledged the need for zoning consistency and the potential benefits of the event center while also recognizing the importance of community feedback in the planning process. The discussion underscored the ongoing tension between development interests and community concerns in Greensboro's evolving landscape.