news-record.com

HIGH POINT (MCT) — The High Point Planning and Zoning Commission amended a portion of the University Area Plan before unanimously approving the plan at its meeting Tuesday night.

The sole change was amending the wording of the plan to say development "should be contiguous" rather than "must be contiguous." The plan approved Tuesday will guide the growth of High Point University.

Don Scarborough, vice president of community relations at the university, said the university's biggest concern with the original plan was its use of the word contiguous.

Scarborough cited University Village as not being contiguous to campus when it was constructed and asked the commission if the property, which houses two student dormitories, a swimming pool and a restaurant, would have been allowed under the plan.

Commissioner Kathy Carter said the plan was meant to encourage the university to purchase land closest to its border and develop outward rather than purchase land away from the university and "squeeze land owners."

Scarborough expressed other concerns, such as the plan's discouragement of the demolition of residential homes purchased by the university and its encouragement of students and residents to exist cohesively.

Carter said the plan was meant to encourage the university to grow a certain way. The city cannot legally force the university to discontinue demolition of residential properties that it purchases, she said.