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Council gives first reading to rezoning that would enable preservation of 212 Asbury Avenue
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Summary
On first reading the Greenville City Council moved to rezone 212 Asbury Avenue to allow a historic 'Green Book' tourist home to be preserved and occupied; supporters stressed landmark status, stabilization work and restrictive covenants while staff noted legal limits on conditional zoning.
The Greenville City Council voted to give first reading to an ordinance that would rezone 0.26 acre at 212 Asbury Avenue from RHD (House D) to MX2 (Mixed Use 2), a move supporters said is meant to allow long-term preservation and residential stewardship of a rare Green Book-era tourist home.
Melanie Brown of Restoration 52, who described herself as a sixth-generation Greenville native, told the council that the house at 212 Asbury is “not just a house. It is a home that helped to shape Greenville's vibrant arts and cultural scene.” Brown said the building is the city’s last known Green Book tourist home, has received local landmark designation and part-1 national historic preservation approval, and that Restoration 52 has completed structural assessments and stabilization work.
The property’s owner, Tracy Lake, spoke in support and said the family intends to live on the site to provide ongoing stewardship. “If you would, please let 212 live,” Lake said, urging council to preserve the home.
Council members praised the preservation effort and asked staff how protective covenants would interact with rezoning. Staff advised that under state law a rezoning carries the entitlements of the new zoning district and that restrictive covenants run with the land but can be altered under state procedures; the zoning administrator noted the city cannot itself create a conditional rezoning that fully limits a property to narrower uses than the zoning district allows.
Supporters told the council that legal covenants are being recorded to limit scale — including limits on height, footprint and an accessory dwelling unit restricted to residential use — and that the project team plans to keep the property residential in character. Council members also emphasized the group’s fundraising and stabilization work and encouraged continued outreach and a schedule for restoration activity.
The council approved the measure on first reading. The ordinance will proceed through the normal public-notice and subsequent-reading process before any change of zoning becomes final.
What happens next: the rezoning now goes to subsequent readings and staff will continue to work with the preservation group and the property owner on implementation and any outstanding questions about covenant language and timing.
