Two re-zoning proposals passed and a third failed at Greensboro City Council’s Tuesday night meeting. The council approved the rezoning of two formerly residential properties to business that night. The first, 902 Whelan Street, had a history of being used for business in the past before the council’s vote formally authorized that use Tuesday night. It had formerly been used as a law office by the late Robert Roseberry. Sarah Cole, owner of the popular Abadir’s Bakery, has purchased the property and is renovating it as a commercial kitchen space. The council’s vote on that property carried unanimously.
The second parcel rezoned is on Demopolis Street, south of State Street, and is known as the Bigham property. It includes 15 acres of land that is currently mostly wooded. That property is located along the Highway 69/West Alabama Corridor project, and may see future development when the highway expansion is completed.
On that parcel’s re-zoning, Councilmembers Lewis and Curtis voted ‘no,’ saying they didn’t understand which property was up for re-zoning. The measure carried with Councilmembers Bragg, Shepherd, and Mayor J.B. Washington voting in favor.
The third re-zoning proposal would have changed the residential zoning of certain properties in and near the Baptist Hill neighborhood. The properties would have remained residential, but the types of residences allowed would have been restricted.
All the councilmembers who were present voted “yes” on a motion by Councilmember Curtis not to rezone those properties. Only Mayor J.B. Washignton voted against that measure.
In other business, councilmembers heard reports from the city’s various department heads. Aaron Evans, streets and sanitation superintendent, said the city had taken delivery of its new garbage truck, but that the truck had problems already.
“The packer wasn’t going all the way back, so they were supposed to send someone down Monday to adjust it. They didn’t do it Monday, they sent them down [the following] Thursday. They adjusted it, and when we used it Friday, the packer was doing the same thing,” Evans said. He said he called the equipment suppler again. “They said it was working when they left. I asked them when they could come and check it out. They said they would put it on the list. So I’m just advising y’all to let y’all know what’s going on.”
Police Chief Mike Hamilton said the department had received an application from a young man interested in becoming an officer. “He’s not certified,” said Hamilton, “So we’ll have to send him to the academy.”
Hamilton also warned about the approaching holiday season: “Even if you have trouble all year long, it kind of picks up around this time,” he said. “We ask that you be more vigilant about what you see. If you see something, say something— give us the opportunity to check it out.”
The council approved a request from Brittani Mercado, who was representing El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant, to approve a restaurant retail liquor license for that business, which is preparing to open in the former Mi Tenampa restaurant location on State Street. Renovations have been apparent over the past month as the new owners prepare to open for business.
“Chief Hamilton did the background check for us this week, and everything was clear,” said City Clerk Lorrie Cook. Cook said that, because this location had previously been permitted for a liquor license, the owners would not have to go through a public hearing process.
Mercado said she hoped the restaurant would be opening to the public next Monday.
The council also approved a request from local nonprofit the Men of Valor, who will be sponsoring a Halloween Carnival at Project Horseshoe Farm Clubhouse downtown this Saturday night, Oct. 15, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The city will approve the closure of Market and Beacon streets from 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. that night to allow for time to set up and take down the festival. Chief Mike Hamilton said his department would have officers on hand at the event for support, as well.
