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Council approves Borden Mills redevelopment rezoning, clearing way for 144 apartments and rehabilitation of historic mill
Summary
Council approved a conditional rezoning for the Borden Mills site on North Williams Street to allow adaptive reuse and new residential units with design and historic‑review conditions; staff and applicant said units will be market‑rate and workforce housing, not subsidized low‑income housing.
Goldsboro City Council unanimously approved a conditional rezoning (CZ6‑25) Nov. 3 that will allow the adaptive‑reuse redevelopment of the Borden Mills complex on North Williams Street and permit up to 144 apartments and townhouse units with associated site improvements and historic rehabilitation.
Planning staff presented the site plan and conditions: sidewalks on both sides of North Williams, a 20‑foot easement deeded for a future greenway, rehabilitation and Department of Interior review for contributing historic structures (water tower and smokestack), an enhanced screening buffer along the western property line, and an obligation to meet city stormwater and subdivision standards before administrative site approval. The developer will provide landscaping, street improvements, and 346 parking spaces; staff recommended approval with these conditions and noted the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended support.
Applicant David Perry and ownership representatives framed the plan as market‑rate and workforce housing targeted to middle‑income working residents, not subsidized Section 8 housing. Several councilmembers praised the project as a gateway redevelopment that reuses a blighted mill and could spur nearby commercial activity. After brief public support from a local developer, the council adopted the rezoning on a unanimous vote.
Council asked staff to ensure historic‑preservation reviews and the fire, pedestrian safety and traffic improvements required by NCDOT are completed during site‑plan review. The council’s approval includes the attached consistency statement and the conditions presented by staff.
