news-record.com

GREENSBORO — Guilford County Schools is stalling a rezoning request on land eyed for the new southeast-area elementary school, a sign the district might be rethinking building the school there.

The Greensboro zoning commission was scheduled to consider a request to rezone the property on Stewart Mill Road from residential to institutional on Sept. 13. Andy LaRowe, the school district’s interim chief operations officer , said the district asked for a month-long postponement because of discussions that occurred after a community forum this week.

“It was agreed that the (board of education) needs to have an opportunity to review new developments and direct staff accordingly,” LaRowe said via e-mail.

He said the “new developments” concern other sites community members have recommended in the past few days.

LaRowe said the district will ask the city for a continuance until Oct. 11.

School board Chairman Alan Duncan said the board continues to consider other sites.

He said the board asked for the postponement because members could not be briefed on new properties before the Sept. 13 rezoning meeting.

The property is partially developed for a now-defunct housing development, hence the need for rezoning.

Officials reviewed a list of sites with residents during the forum, explaining why each was ruled out.

The school board approved buying the property in June, but Guilford County commissioners blocked the purchase after being lobbied by southeast residents . Opponents argue it places the school outside the southeast area and that it would eventually serve communities other than theirs.

Voters approved $24.8 million to build the school in a 2008 bond. The school is supposed to alleviate crowding at Alamance Elementary, as well as allowing growth at Sedalia and McLeansville elementary schools.

Dan Rogers is a member of the Southeast Guilford Community Association, one of main groups opposing the Stewart Mill Road property. Rogers isn’t sure what to make of the new development.

“I don’t know what it means for sure,” he said. “It seems like a positive development, but time will tell.”

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com