news-record.com

GREENSBORO — City government is using technology to completely remove the mystery of the Urban Loop from the local housing market.

Just by visiting the city’s Web site, people considering a home purchase soon will be able to see its proximity to the existing or future loop.

“All a person will have to do is type in the address,” said city transportation planner Craig McKinney.

The search function, set to debut the week of July 6, will scan an online map, go directly to the correct lot and show it in relation to the existing loop or an accurate diagram of what is planned.

McKinney previewed the service Wednesday for the local Metropolitan Planning Organization, adding that it is based on the city’s geographic information system.

The response was enthusiastic because residents of several neighborhoods along the loop’s future route recently complained that developers or real-estate agents never told them the road’s whereabouts.

The MPO is the transportation planning group for northern Guilford County, including Greensboro, smaller towns such as Summerfield and Pleasant Garden, and unincorporated areas.

City Council members T. Dianne Bellamy-Small and Robbie Perkins — who also sit on the MPO — urged McKinney to spread word of the service in the local real estate industry.

They said there should be no problem meeting McKinney’s request that the new service get a permanent spot on city government’s home page.

McKinney told the board the search function won’t stop at the loop but also will show users how close an address is to other major road projects, such as the N.C. 68/U.S. 220 Connector in western Guilford.

In other action, Summerfield Town Manager Michael Brandt asked the MPO to add one or more voting members from his community and Guilford’s other towns.

Mayor Mark E. Brown of Summerfield said it was important because the MPO takes so many actions that directly affect the towns.

The MPO agreed to consider the request, telling its staff to study the issue and return with several options in 90 days.

Planners also responded to requests from a community group in Southeast Guilford seeking more bike lanes, green­ways and hiking trails in that part of the county. They laid out a plan to achieve those goals, suggesting the group work closely with state and county officials because government sponsorship is often needed for major projects.

Contact Taft Wireback at 373-7100 or taft.wireback@news-record.com