City to Hold Public Hearings on Downtown Design Manual and Overlay

GREENSBORO, NC (July 14, 2010) – The City of Greensboro will hold several public hearings to give residents and businesses an opportunity to provide feedback on the Downtown Design Manual and Overlay District, a framework for promoting quality design, enhancing urban character and maintaining long-term compatibility in downtown Greensboro.

The City’s Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 21, at 2 pm in the Council Chamber of the Melvin Municipal Office Building (MMOB), 300 W. Washington St. The public will get a chance to review the Downtown Design Manual and related structure, process and guidelines and provide comments to the Planning Board. Following this public hearing, the Planning Board will make an official recommendation on the Manual to Greensboro City Council.

Then, on Monday, August 9, at 5:30 pm in the Council Chamber of the MMOB, the City’s Zoning Commission will hold a follow-up public hearing to discuss and receive comments on the official downtown overlay boundary and area designations. This will not involve any changes to the base zoning districts for downtown properties. After the hearing, the Zoning Commission will make an official recommendation to City Council.

City Council is tentatively scheduled to hold a final public hearing and vote on the manual and overlay district on Tuesday, September 7, at 5:30 pm in the Council Chamber of the MMOB.
The revised Downtown Design Manual and recent public comments can be viewed online at www.greensboro-nc.gov/downtowndesign.  

For more information, call Mike Kirkman, with the City’s Planning Department, at 336-373-4649.