[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6625725,"mediaKeyId","2756448-81ef733d0dc18098927448625204922b","parentId",2756448,"title","High Point adopts Southwest Mill District area plan after months of outreach; residents press water, displacement concerns","audioSeconds",3442,"startMs",1039000,"endMs",4481000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756448-81ef733d0dc18098927448625204922b&start=1039&end=4481","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756448-81ef733d0dc18098927448625204922b/thumbnail_1039000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625725/High-Point/Guilford-County/North-Carolina/High-Point-adopts-Southwest-Mill-District-area-plan-after-months-of-outreach-residents-press-water-displacement-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625725-d03232fd777828cc988faa6d3a6b4091/orig.mp4?Expires=1771017192&Signature=SfS5NZmN1eeGVdlXDNA-VjJVda~PGJ081yxzERvlVQyCG1uLi3kD-bUXRLd5gKjgaqJ6U7iNBoyzkw5JBj60ErQ7SuAPKp~5-rfXPx4ymNirH2ACT7JXW5vbiK4jdLUrULZ8MRxzutlG9wlDNhQuCeCOZDui6LOp3wawkOLue-zYbH89zA2gK6bIqO6vZPwNFLlY2nTgHbeQJgR~uM7WzjIf-w2cNSKkNFhcg8J4TcvDmzJ-QrdehUi-ChkJfkndxpzqkHTERFFNHi3~1YuKJkDOCQX0jHAlMZKV~WXCheNjRqgKlRZsiAJjzTRIWDmMyZvpDBE4X1sJP38sjJc7xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","High Point","date","2025-03-25T03:07:52.603Z","article","High Point City Council on Tuesday adopted the Southwest Mill District area plan, a policy document and recommended zoning framework aimed at encouraging mixed‑use redevelopment in a 171‑acre industrial area southwest of downtown.

The plan, presented by Andy Piper of the city planning department and Margaret Flippen of Dover Coal and Partners, recommends creating a new “Southwest Mill District” zoning district to allow a mix of uses, revise land‑development standards to support a walkable environment, and improve connectivity with the proposed Southwest Heritage Greenway. Piper said the next steps will be an amendment to the development ordinance and a zoning map amendment; city staff will gather property‑owner signatures under recent state law before those rezoning hearings.

“By creating a walkable, mixed‑use district, the intended plan is to preserve the physical character, support for infill and…spark redevelopment,” Flippen told the council in a slide presentation. She and Piper described the area’s existing land use as predominantly industrial but noted the greatest number of parcels are vacant or underutilized.

Why it matters: The plan is framed as a tool to unlock investment in an industrial corridor long part of High Point’s economic base. The council and planning staff said the approach aims to balance industry’s continuing role with new housing, business space and greenways that could drive economic activity and connect neighborhoods to downtown.

Public comment focused on environmental health and displacement risks. More than a dozen residents and neighborhood advocates pressed council members to address water contamination in a local creek, to protect long‑time residents from tax‑driven displacement, and to ensure meaningful local control over how redevelopment proceeds.

Johnny Horn, a resident who said he has lived in the area since the 1960s, asked for protections for longtime property owners and raised water quality questions. “When Southwest renewal come in…what are we going to do? Our tax is going to go way up,” Horn said. Tony Collins, volunteer president of the Southside Neighborhood Association and a past board chair of the Southwest Renewal Foundation, told councilmembers the core concern is whether the plan will amount to gentrification and displace renters.

Council members said they heard those concerns and asked staff to follow up on water testing, mechanisms to limit displacement and questions about greenway construction sequencing. Councilwoman Cook highlighted homestead exemptions and tax policy as possible tools to explore; Mayor Cyril Jefferson noted the city had received an EPA‑sponsored grant to support some water work through the Southwest Renewal Foundation and said staff is taking water issues seriously.

Planning background and outreach: City staff said the plan reflects work begun with the Southwest Renewal Foundation and consultant Dover Coal and Partners. The planning department said it held a public meeting at Southside Recreation Center that drew “over 75 community members” and ran an online survey that produced about 80 responses; staff said responses were largely positive toward a greater mix of uses. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval (7–0).

Next steps and conditions: Piper said staff will prepare an amendment to the development ordinance text for a new Southwest Mill District, and will begin collecting signatures from property owners before the formal zoning map amendment process. That map amendment and any ordinance text changes will be followed by public hearings before the Planning & Zoning Commission and a return to City Council for a final vote.

Council action: Council voted to adopt the area plan. Adoption authorizes staff to move forward with text amendments and the owner‑signature process required by state law; it does not rezone property or change property rights until future map amendments and hearings are completed.

What remains unresolved: Residents asked for clearer commitments on water testing and pollution remediation, tax protections or abatements for current homeowners and renters, and a transparent schedule for the greenway construction. Council members directed staff to follow up with written responses and to coordinate with state and federal partners where appropriate.

The council’s adoption puts the plan into the city’s formal policy toolkit and begins a multi‑step process of ordinance drafting, owner notification and public hearings that will determine whether and how zoning and development standards change on the ground.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","High Point City Council Meeting | 3--24-25 | 5:30 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","High Point City Council on Tuesday adopted the Southwest Mill District area plan, a policy document and recommended zoning framework aimed at encouraging mixed‑use redevelopment in a 171‑acre industrial area southwest of downtown.","taxTitle","High Point, Guilford County, North Carolina","taxId",4908,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625721,"Council approves Triad International Studies Academy special‑use permit after traffic debate; permit includes staggered schedule, annual transportation plan",6140,4380000,10520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756448-81ef733d0dc18098927448625204922b&start=4380&end=10520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756448-81ef733d0dc18098927448625204922b/thumbnail_4380000.jpg","/articles/6625721/High-Point/Guilford-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-Triad-International-Studies-Academy-specialuse-permit-after-traffic-debate-permit-includes-staggered-schedule-annual-transportation-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625721-041f9b5fab8c097629219bdcd2413811/orig.mp4?Expires=1771017192&Signature=FRSWJC0gJohC3ZrpvzMk-2KGQkbzmINuoGdUFg8zi7loJUY05a6HP0LJD~fqRKeuT4zPiBVv3xm6IJnh0kQ3HCGrB5DMM7Ig6~JqDT-oEhxOASDjvEJVLVf98WuFTRK-J5U2q4in6ysgh2HdL8XTu~X2TcXkXISsGu-MzOqiW-hsIk6u68TERXGyPvusd9pIHGX0Zg2tW6kyfrDfj1pSqkMHO2kBGVg6esKOu1srzLMoYoRRUY-k~fKTNECFCu6gOztiriGuNSQY7fnnXYuDWakm2yhB7pXiqKkw3kDj9zSgyhBnXEKF~wTZozKPmvl1WWnNq0EQJl3xY1qIxQZnYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","High Point City Council on Tuesday approved a special‑use permit for the Triad International Studies Academy (TISA), a tuition‑free public charter school proposed for three combined parcels along East Lexington Avenue and Bridges Drive.

The vote followed a quasi‑judicial evidentiary hearing that included sworn testimony from city planners, transportation experts, a real‑estate appraiser and representatives of the applicant, Linquevista Education Foundation LLC (Triad International Studies Academy). After more than five hours of testimony and cross‑examination, council voted 8–1 to approve the permit with conditions, including an annual submission of the school’s transportation management plan.

What the permit allows: The school proposed using three existing buildings on a 1.5‑acre site — a northern three‑story building of roughly 14,600 square feet, a former sanctuary building repurposed for classrooms, and a southern single‑family structure of about 900 square feet to house school employees. Staff and the applicant also described four permanent modular classroom units at the rear of the site and up to three additional modular classrooms totaling 3,450 square feet depending on build‑out.

“Building 1 and 2 allow all education‑related uses,” staff planner Herb Shannon said, and he summarized conditions intended to minimize neighborhood impacts: one primary access from East Lexington Avenue (a state‑maintained road), a gated emergency access to Bridges Drive only for fire department access, a six‑foot opaque fence next to adjacent homes, Type B landscape yards and screening for dumpsters.

Traffic and the key dispute: The hearing’s central contested point was student capacity and traffic management. City staff recommended approval with a maximum enrollment of 250 students tied to a single drop‑off/pick‑up period, based on available on‑site vehicle queuing (about 1,413 linear feet). The applicant sought a larger enrollment cap — 390 students — coupled with a staggered bell schedule (two distinct drop‑off/pick‑up periods separated by at least 45 minutes) and a transportation management plan enforced by the school.

Applicant attorney Jay Wagner submitted a detailed transportation plan and relied on testimony from transportation consultant David Hyder and an NCDOT traffic engineer, Dr. Joe Hummer. Hummer testified that although a left‑turn lane would improve flow, state funding limits prevent NCDOT from building every recommended left‑turn lane; he said NCDOT found Lexington Avenue acceptable without that lane given the proposed mitigation. Hyder and Hummer both testified that a staggered schedule reduced peak queuing and traffic delay; Hyder said the traffic analysis showed a staggered schedule could support up to 450 students but the applicant asked for 390.

Enforcement and conditions: Council members and staff pressed on enforceability. NCDOT’s letter in the record states that staggering the bell schedule will be a requirement of any driveway permit the agency issues. Council and staff discussed enforcement pathways: code enforcement inspections, complaints routed to NCDOT and the potential (though historically rare) revocation of a state driveway permit if queuing spills onto the roadway. The council added an explicit condition requiring the school to submit its transportation management plan to city staff and agreed it would be reviewed if complaints arise.

Other testimony: Appraiser Kyle Winters presented a paired‑sales analysis and concluded the school would not materially injure the value of adjacent residential property. Community members and neighborhood representatives also attended; some asked questions about parking, pedestrian crossings, and the length of queuing on site.

Council action and permit conditions: By an 8–1 vote, council approved the special‑use permit SUP‑25‑01 for a minor school (K–8) at the site, with conditions drawn from staff’s recommended permit and several applicant‑negotiated items. Key conditions explicitly included:
- Primary access only from East Lexington Avenue; no public access to Bridges Drive (emergency access only).
- Limits on building uses and a requirement to install on‑site vehicle queuing consistent with the approved plans before school operations begin.
- A maximum student capacity consistent with the approved site plan and queuing calculations tied to the staggered schedule (the approved motion adopted the applicant’s plan, which included a staggered schedule for higher enrollment) and an annual transportation management plan submitted to staff.
- A sunset or removal date for any temporary modular classrooms placed on the front of the site if they are used as an interim measure; permanent modular classrooms were approved at the site rear.

What it means: The decision authorizes TISA to develop the site as a K–8 charter school subject to the council‑approved permit conditions and the applicant’s compliance with city, county and state permitting. Council members emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring and noted city code enforcement and NCDOT remain the practical levers if traffic problems emerge.

Vote: The council approved SUP‑25‑01 by a vote of 8–1. The staff will draft the formal written decision that will list the evidence and conditions and provide it to the applicant and other parties as required by law.

","High Point City Council on Tuesday approved a special‑use permit for the Triad International Studies Academy, a K–8 charter school proposed for a 1.5‑acre site on East Lexington Avenue, following a multi‑hour quasi‑judicial hearing focused on traffic and enrollment limits.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625716,"Votes at a glance: High Point City Council passes grants, bonds and appointments",422,702000,1124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756448-81ef733d0dc18098927448625204922b&start=702&end=1124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756448-81ef733d0dc18098927448625204922b/thumbnail_702000.jpg","/articles/6625716/High-Point/Guilford-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-High-Point-City-Council-passes-grants-bonds-and-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625716-234ff9b929a833f396f107549be4e204/orig.mp4?Expires=1771017192&Signature=o~v87AowQVA8YEJohb1LrS7DSNLklSplO8k63Fa6E9Rggg1qlRq1dS4cmngRIODjt3uVqG4-2X3tRVNkLVWNFIlTOA0ixOATQRcipldBnSxyNmbo4Q-shavxbkydW937F9REvhqiFH0Zm0FHj4QYhkfVlsEYPbVPmAVMWozuypAmKYUid1kNeRXDua346EFjebZwpTsTT4AgIP5Oa55KTF8DyLjLIor7fn8Su0roL6lxXOOCoai3IfL6l5qJfz~3PgidhHVvyGJqObtmBLgkzyFBLjA9JZ5OLFP4NP-O87S2TuoA3vBbryEzU3hvjWGG0GFbI-b~QkGMXJAxxMwZGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The High Point City Council approved multiple consent and general‑business items during its regular meeting.

Key votes and outcomes

- Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Grant (item 2024584): The council approved acceptance of a joint Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant totaling $40,115 for use in support of a body‑worn camera vest program. The grant is administered jointly with Guilford County and the city of Greensboro; Greensboro will serve as the lead administrator. (Motion/Second recorded; item passed.)

- City‑sponsored events (item 2025073): The council approved a slate of city‑sponsored events. Councilmember Harmon disclosed conflicts of interest on two items (Friends of John Coltrane/Coltrane Jazz Festival and Unity Festival) before the vote. The motion passed.

- Limited obligation bond resolution for stadium modifications (item 2020566): Council approved a final resolution authorizing issuance of Series 2025 limited obligation bonds to finance stadium modifications, subject to LGC approval and anticipated mid‑April closing. The finance director summarized the transaction and recommended approval; the motion passed.

- Appointment to Theater Advisory Board (item 2025104): Council confirmed the appointment of Joseph Williams to the Theater Advisory Board for a term through 06/01/2027.

- Consent agenda: The council approved its consent agenda, which included routine finance, permitting and administrative items.

What this means: These votes advance capital and operating activities — from grant‑funded police equipment to stadium financing — and confirm advisory board membership. The Southwest Mill District area plan and the Triad International Studies Academy SUP were handled separately and covered in full articles.

","The council approved several routine and consent items, including federal grant acceptance and bond and appointment actions. Notable votes included acceptance of a federal JAG grant for body‑worn camera vests, approval of a limited‑obligation bond resolution for stadium modifications, and confirmation of a theater advisory board appointment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

High Point adopts Southwest Mill District area plan after months of outreach; residents press water, displacement concerns

Council approves Triad International Studies Academy special‑use permit after traffic debate; permit includes staggered schedule, annual transportation plan

Votes at a glance: High Point City Council passes grants, bonds and appointments