Neighbors vow to fight Friendly Ave. rezoning : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

GREENSBORO — Opponents of a proposed shopping center in western Greensboro turned out in big numbers Sunday to plan a protest featuring hundreds of yard signs, an email campaign and, possibly, legal representation.

The project at West Friendly Avenue and Hobbs Road — slated to include a trendy Trader Joe’s grocery — would have “a disastrous effect all the way to Guilford College” by triggering commercial development throughout what’s now primarily a residential area, said Alan Atwell, a leader in the newly formed Concerned Citizens Against Commercial Encroachment on Friendly Avenue or the Friendly Coalition, for short.

“Your presence here today is going to send a very clear message to our city leadership,” Atwell told the standing-room-only audience of about 300 at First Lutheran Church, next to the six housing lots being considered for commercial rezoning.

Representatives of a national real estate company, Regency Centers, met with neighborhood groups recently to discuss plans for a shopping center with four buildings in the 3500 block of West Friendly, including about 50,000 square feet of retail space and roughly 250 parking spaces. Stores would include Trader Joe’s, a pharmacy and 15 to 20 smaller stores, said residents who attended those meetings.

Regency Centers has not spoken publicly about the project, saying it’s too early in the process to give details. The developer owns retail sites nationwide, including one in Cary anchored by Trader Joe’s.

Coalition leaders told worried residents Sunday that they like Trader Joe’s and hope the popular grocery will come to Greensboro in another spot.

“This is definitely not about Trader Joe’s. The location is the problem,” said Mark O’Connor, a resident of nearby Hobbs Landing and co-chairman of the protest group’s steering committee.

O’Connor and fellow Co-Chairman Greg Brown and Scott Kinsey kept the meeting orderly and focused on drafting a plan they could activate as soon as Regency Centers makes a formal rezoning application to city government. That’s when foes need to pepper front lawns with yard signs, barrage city officials and media outlets with critical emails, and possibly hire a lawyer to present their case to the Greensboro Zoning Commission and, if need be, to the City Council, O’Connor said.

Group leaders took orders for the “NO Commercial Rezoning” signs at $10 apiece.

Atwell gave a brief history of the area and its battles with nonresidential projects, including one in 2010 when neighbors defeated a rezoning request for offices on a residential lot at the southwest corner of Friendly and Holden Road.

But the neighborhoods lost a similar tussle in 1979 that allowed the Friendly-Holden Building office complex on the northeast corner of that same intersection, he said.

Sunday’s crowd included newly elected City Council members Marikay Abuzuaiter and Nancy Hoffmann. Each said her presence should not be interpreted as opposition to the fledgling project; they wanted to gather facts and show residents they are willing to listen.

Former Mayor Keith Holliday said he came to the meeting out of concern the new plans violate an agreement he helped negotiate with developers several years ago while in office. The pact allowed development of the nearby Shops at Friendly Center in exchange for a variety of concessions to adjoining neighborhoods, one of which defined Hobbs Road as the western boundary for new commercial development, Holliday said.

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

TravKM

January 23, 2012 - 3:29 am EST

Ha ha, some city folk are so funny! "I want to be surrounded by a whole bunch of my favorite stores, restaurants, clubs, theaters, ect. so that I can bike or walk to them if I want. But, Not-In-My-Back-Yard!!! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!!...I mean, can't they put the stores I like in someone else's backyard?"

brian444

January 23, 2012 - 5:29 am EST

Yes, it is very pitiful indeed to see these bourgeois Neanderthals standing in the way of Progress, ever fearful that capitalism might be practiced within 9-iron range of their domiciles.

sanders

January 23, 2012 - 3:53 am EST

NO to rezoning. trader joes or any other business can find many other good areas.that dont require re-zoning. let those on city council who vote for this re-zone their own property.

ambrclaire

January 23, 2012 - 6:56 am EST

To me, this is not about being pro or anti capitalism..this is about neighborhood. There are plenty of place in Greensboto to put a Trader Joes' etc. Let's be honest..there are already plenty of stores in that area...Harris Teeter and the new Whole Foods are right there....why can't they put Trader's Joes in one of the many abandoned buildings around town someplace...When do regular citizens get to have what they want in their neighborhood? I applaud the Friendly Coalition...enough is enough

Pinch

January 23, 2012 - 7:54 am EST

I don't live right in that area, but I still feel it would a shame to fast-forward 15-20 years and see that Friendly was allowed to turn into High Point Road 2.0.

There's a derelict shopping center on Market Street between Walker and United that's been mentioned before as a spot for redevelopment. It seems close enough to Starmount/Sunset Hill's money and UNCG's granola people for a Trader Joe's (or similar) to work.

rooster8786

January 23, 2012 - 9:56 am EST

Good to see the "I have no viable argument to support my point so I'll just resort to name calling" people are out in force.
People want jobs, lower taxes, and good shopping. Developers seek to meet these needs with developments that meet certain, usually unknown to the the public, requirements. Some developers specialize in rehabbing old shopping centers, others like to start with a clean sheet of paper. If opponents were honest with themselves, they would say, and see, this 1/2 block section of Friendly Ave is not commercial, nor is it really residential, it's a pseudo no man's land between a major shopping center and a huge church, office building, and major N/S artery. Those against it's development should put their money where their mouths are, buy up the land, and then say we're going to do what we want with it...

terrier2003

January 23, 2012 - 9:15 am EST

We are talking about 5 houses on a stretch of Friendly road next to the church at Friendly and holden. Some of those houses aren't occupied currently. If the people are so concerned about expansion, they shouldn't have bought next to the original Friendly Center or the old Burlington Industries building. And the expensive houses behind this area were built along with the shops at friendly. . .

Interested

January 23, 2012 - 3:17 pm EST

This topic has been discussed frequently the past few weeks. One argument that regularly surfaces and causes me to shake my head each time I read it is "there are plenty of empty buildings they could choose to use instead." Has it occurred to any of you who suggest that option that perhaps these buildings are empty for a reason? As in, perhaps poor location failed to support the business. Perhaps ownership is preferred to rental and present owners don't want, or can't afford, to sell. Perhaps the costs of purchasing and remodeling exceed the costs of building from scratch. There is a long list of possible reasons this location is at the top of the list.

b-logical

January 23, 2012 - 7:32 am EST

If you look at this thru the eyes of the residence you think - when is enough? PLENTY of upscale shops, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. concentrated in one area.

If you look at thru the eyes of the builders you think that THIS is your location to pull in the customers you are seeking.

If you look at it thru the eyes of the average citizen - who is pinching pennies and shopping at Aldi's, Wal-Mart, Target and consignment shops you think - WHAT??? We can't afford to go to specialty stores or a performing arts theaters or drive on toll roads or too much of anything UNNECCESARY. We are barely getting by with what we NEED.

My opinion it looks like it boils down to three groups - the don't want it - love to have it and the don't NEED it.
"Nays" have it - 2 to 1.

January 23, 2012 - 10:07 am EST

One big problem with your argument: this is development with PRIVATE money. It's not at all like a highway built with public $$$, so the toll road analogy is moot. Define "average citizen". Many people CAN afford to, and would, shop there, so private money should be allowed to test the market forces. This should make all the "don't waste my tax money on redevelopment" and "we need jobs and revenue for the city" people happier and making moot your enough is enough point. Why, if you're barely "getting by", should others be forced backwards? Sounds a little OWSish. Now whats your vote count? Looks like "Yays" have it 2 to 1, and the "Nays" want to waller in woe is me, please feel sorry for me, pity.

yardman1

January 23, 2012 - 8:13 am EST

Why don't you have a sheetz put there. That's what they put in my backyard, and a zaxbys just in case you have that craving for fried chicken while walking around the neighborhood. Horspenn creek and new garden just ten or more years ago was farm land. Now they are making horsepenn a four lane rd. you cant expect to live in or close to downtown and not expect development of this type. I deal with, so can you all.

areyouserious

January 23, 2012 - 8:26 am EST

I certaily look forward to Horse Pen Creek becoming four lanes. The light at new garden is so frustrating! Im glad to see people see it as a problem and are looking to address it. One thing i've seen with commercial expansion, by in large they do it with respect to the community. They make the expansion a part of the community, instead of it sticking out like a sore thumb. Im sure if it does occur it will be something that the community will embrace.

January 23, 2012 - 9:07 am EST

You obviously dont live in the Raven Ridge, Saddle Creek, or Coachmens Tral neighborhoods. A median is going to be place dthere in front of all the exits to this negihborhood and the only exit will be a single light at Talmaga. Talmaga is already a super highway in morning and evenings, now the entire neighborhood wil be using this as an exit, all this is doing is putting the light at New Garden and Horspenn traffic jammed down in the neighborhood. And on top of that, a new small business park is going on the other side of the neighborhood. I understand the point of expanding the street, my point was that Harristeeter just over ten years ago was a farm, and Target, Etc where New Garden was used to be a little two lane road with hundreds of acres of land. These people need to get over it or move. We have to deal with it and so should they. However, Im sure enough money from the communities affected will be enough to buy someone off.

itsjustron

January 23, 2012 - 9:53 am EST

So, because it happene to you, then they should be o.k with it happening to them? So if you had been robbed at gunpoint, must everyone else experience that also?

Thats Rubbish.

These folks live there currently, dont want the impact of added traffic and additional commercial area on top of them.. If they can keep trader Joes out, then I say great win for the little guy.

January 23, 2012 - 10:11 am EST

Ron, the little guy shouldn't own property on a MAJOR E/W artery, designed to move people into and out of town, if they want a bucolic park like experience from their front porch...

January 23, 2012 - 4:22 pm EST

And to Rooster, I was here before the artery.

January 23, 2012 - 4:19 pm EST

Love your comparison we are talking about property and developement and your talking about robberies at gun point. My point was, I bought my home 23 years ago when it wasnt even hardly in the city of Greensboro. Since, I have Wendover outside my back yard. If you would like to trade property which Im sure you will not please let me know. Nothing is better then to be on your front porch and to hear the echoes of the bar tender at butlers dumping bottles out in the garbages bin. Keep it fair is what I was saying, if you can build a shopping center next to a farm house, then people shouldnt have a problem with a building similar to what is already next door.

January 23, 2012 - 11:03 am EST

Nah, i'm a little further up. I think we're agreeing??? But I'm not sure. I dont see an awful lot of trafiic on Talmaga in the morning but i'll take your word for it. Anything that will help alleivate the stress of the bryanblvd/new garden road exit to horse pen creek, i'm all for it! I think expansion is always good! Good for the community and good for business, as long as its done with respect.

One of the reasons I moved to this area is because of the growth along New Garden. As a young professional, I appreciate seeing new things pop up in the area! Jets Pizza, Zaxbys, if we could get a new movie theater, along with a couple more bars it would be amazing! Maybe when i'm older i'll want the quiet, but for now give me a thriving, lively community!

BobbyMcGee

January 23, 2012 - 8:42 am EST

I like the idea of putting TJ's where Tobacco USA used to be - that shopping center has potential, but it needs a boost.

I drive to work on Friendly Ave. every day and the traffic around the shopping center is awful already, Hate to think what it will be like if another shopping center goes in.

timflowers

January 23, 2012 - 8:48 am EST

The center where Tobacco USA used to be is almost fully leased. The comment referred to the mostly empty shopping center beside it, where the old Sonic sits.

January 23, 2012 - 9:18 am EST

There is a business in there right now...And it appears to be doing very well.

And the traffic around the shopping center on Friendly isn't bad at all. Wendover along the stretch of road by the car dealership to Walmart is 100 times worse. but I guess if you are comparing the traffic to an average day in starmount, yeah I see your point.

January 23, 2012 - 9:58 am EST

The traffic is manageable at best.. getting into and out of friendly during the holiday shopping season at times was an exercise in futility..Highways are designed typically for traffic volume up to 20 yrs in the future. this is smart.
I dont believe access and roadways surrounding shopping centers we currently have in place, or our currently building, have been designed or thought out for the increase in traffic.. Look at wendover.. Its a mess, I avoid it at all cost.. Yes Friendly is much better, at this point, but as time goes on, one project will feed another, then another, etc.. and before you know it, 15 yrs down the road, you have another wendover.. Im already seeing a "mini" wendover develop on new garden.. Its not always the here and now, its the future impacts.

January 23, 2012 - 10:13 am EST

If Friendly is an exercise in futility, market forces will cause corrections...

SAGG

January 23, 2012 - 3:03 pm EST

History has been made, ladies and gents! I find myself AGREEING with Rooster8786! Why? Because it's over on the other side of town (I live on the east side, btw)! That's what you get for having so much over there to begin with! I go to Friendly Center sometimes myself to buy some good stuff when I can't find it over here. So hence, it's Not My Problem! It's sort of like the thing with the White Street Landfill, you see. That wasn't Your Problem because it was on MY side of town. Now perhaps you on the other side of town will sort of see what we had to go through here, though yet another shopping center isn't quite in the same category as a landfill. As Rooster said, let capitalism have it's way! My mom's wanted to go to a Trader Joe's, and I'm curious to find out what all the fuss is about myself!

January 23, 2012 - 8:46 am EST

As a resident of Friendly Avenue, I'm all for this shopping center. The location being considered is in an area that is already mainly commercial, at least in appearance. Few homes would actually be impacted. But jobs would be created by both the construction process and the stores which eventually open. The project will also increase the city's tax base.

Let's get this rezoned and built.

January 23, 2012 - 9:19 am EST

It literally falls on a parcel that has the shops at Friendly on one side and a church on the other...It is commercial for all intents.

NOREZONINGSTARMOUNT

January 23, 2012 - 12:40 pm EST

The jobs will come no matter where the center or it's tenants are located. The taxes will also be paid. It is all about encroachment on Friendly Ave. It will be all commercial if you let them start zoning and tearing down houses. It will be another HP Road with traffic crime and blighted in the years to come as the area changes with a drop in values.

buzzman

January 23, 2012 - 12:45 pm EST

Y'all are wasting your time talking about it and unfortunately the neighborhood group is, also.
Robbie will decide that it's in the best interest of growing his empire.
It will be built, end of story!

GSOIG

January 23, 2012 - 12:54 pm EST

Buy residential property at a low price that is near commercial expansion, get a large enough section for development, talk to your like minded friends on the Council (most of them), Council talks to staff and directs them to point out only the benefits of rezoning, staff briefs zoning board, you go to the bank, adjoining residential occupants go to ____ , Council applauds self for increasing tax base and creating jobs. Ain't any of y'all from around here?

flagstik

January 23, 2012 - 1:04 pm EST

Pave it and they will come. GSO used to be a nice place to live until the developers took control. Let's have the sprawl that is Wendover - 40 pasted everywhere and then you'll have your tax base.

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