The Greensboro Zoning Commission will hear a proposal (see section L) by Tribek Properties of Charlotte to demolish an entire square block of houses at the intersection of Lawndale and Cornwallis drives for a 14,820-square-foot Walgreens store and townhouses. The project will require rezoning of the block from Residential Single Family use to Planned Unit Development – Infill use. Though technically not infill (infill projects are constructed on urban land previously left undeveloped), the mixed-use project proposes townhouses along with the drugstore and its drive-thru. A high masonry wall of eight (8) feet is planned to separate the two uses.
Many questions remain unanswered about this project, including its impact on traffic at the busy intersection of Lawndale and Cornwallis. A turn-lane will be required on Lawndale that could result in loss of the tree canopy over the thoroughfare. Additionally, some traffic will be routed to the rear residential
Fairfield Street.
Perhaps the bigger story is whether this development will signal a green light for a continuous strip of commercial development the length of Lawndale from Cornwallis north to Liberty Drive. Many in Greensboro recognize this stretch of Lawndale for its grand canopy of Willow Oaks (image right); while others admire one of the Gate City’s last remaining Lustron Houses a block north on Lawndale. The homes are part of the Kirkwood neighborhood, a collection of post World War II houses that have historically buffered the strip development of Battleground Avenue on the west from established housing to the east.
Planning Department staff recommends denial of the project due to its incompatibility with the single family residential character of the neighborhood; possible negative impacts on the neighborhood; the destabilization of the surrounding residential properties; its located at an already congested intersection; and finally, the existence of other “like” commercial services within easy walking distance. The decision, however, will be made by the Zoning Commission members.
The Zoning Commission meeting will be quite active with several other key issues being discussed, including
- Near Fisher Park: a rezoning from General Office and General Business to Central Business – for a portion of the property located on the east side of North Eugene Street and west side of Simpson Street between West Fisher Avenue and West Smith Street.
- A block east, a rezoning from General Business and General Office to Planned Unit Development – Infill for the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
- Near Guilford College, a rezoning from Institutional and Residential Single Family to General Office – High Intensity for property located on Dolley Madison Road north of West Friendly Avenue. Conditions state that the existing historic house, the 1904 Hodgins House at 811 Dolley Madison Road will be renovated – though not specifically to historic preservation standards. Learning opportunity: if the developer does this project using tax credits, he/she could receive 40% of project investment back through federal and state tax credits. That’s a lot of money to leave sitting on the table.
UPDATE 11/13/07: Rezoning for the Cornwallis/Lawndale tract was denied in a tied vote (a tied vote results in a denial). If the applicant wishes to pursuit rezoning, it will be taken to City Council.
Written by Benjamin Briggs
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I doubt it has much chance since the developer is from out of town . And there is also, that it is a stupid idea, let’s see who steps up to take credit for saving the neighborhood.
do we really need another drug store. i like development, but done we have enough drug stores, nail places, and taining booths in greensboro. there is already 6 drug stores within a 2 minute radius of this intersection. as a kirkwood resident this would do severe harm to this neighborhood.
If residents of Kirkwood are opposed to this project, now is the time to make themselves heard at the public hearing. Kirkwood residents should be able to claim credit for saving their own neighborhood, if that’s what they choose. Thats how it should work…
Kirkwood , Now is the time for your votes to pay off. Call the guy you elected tell him to vote against this.