Protest Petitions return

I learn this morning that pending the details to be worked out, protest petitions will return to the City of Greensboro.

With a unanimous vote at last night's City Council meeting, city officials will apparently work out the terms of how protest petitions will affect local rezoning cases.

N&R's Allen Johnson:

Marlene Sanford, president of the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition, called the law "the tyranny of the minority" while other opponents, all of whom represented the building and real estate industry, called it "un-American" and a threat to the economy.

...wow...I'm sorry, but I just lost what respect I had left for Marlene. That statement alone shows that runaway development is welcomed in Greensboro, despite the local unemployment rate nearing double-digits. Marlene says 'to hell with property owners who care deeply about the direction of the neighborhoods.'

Speechless...

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N&R's Amanda Lehmert:

Representatives of local real estate organizations spoke against restoring the protest petition, arguing it would deter development and job growth and increase the cost of building in the city. They also argued it takes away the rights of a property owner who wants to rezone.

City Council members struggled with the decision to restore the protest petition. Some council members indicated they were concerned that 5 percent of property owners is a very small number of people to block a rezoning.

Councilwoman Sandra Anderson Groat, a former builder, said she was concerned that protest petition would hurt affordable home building and in turn, first-time home buyers.

Councilman Robbie Perkins said development could move to the county, which has no protest petition.

"My hope would be we would further discuss this," Perkins said. "We can offer something that would be more comprehensive and fit Greensboro's needs."

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Despite the ongoing unholy alliance between developers, builders and Greensboro City Councilmen, the elected body made the right move last night.

And while we'll hear the particulars in the coming days, I think a word of congratulations are in order to our own Keith Brown, who was an early champion on this issue. He deserves kudos for a job well done.

E.C. :)