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RALEIGH – Several General Assembly members who represent Greensboro say they are talking about legislation to return the right to file protest petitions to city residents during the upcoming short legislative session in May.

"I’ve requested a draft bill from our bill drafting office," said Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Greensboro Democrat.

In 1971, the General Assembly granted Greensboro an exemption from a state law that helps residents fight proposed zoning changes. In other cities across the state, including Raleigh and Charlotte, property owners adjacent to a proposed property rezoning can file a petition that requires a city council to achieve a three-fourth supermajority in order to approve a rezoning.

Such petitions can make it more difficult for developers to proceed with unpopular projects.

"Every other citizen in the state enjoys that right," said Harrison.

The legislature meets for its so-called short session beginning on May 13. The session is typically designated for cleaning up work from the prior year, tweaking the budget and finishing non-controversial or urgent business.

Rules governing the session would require the 10 legislators who represent Guilford County to either endorse or at least not oppose the bill. The measure would be what’s known as a local bill, legislation that affects only a certain area of the state. Typically, the legislature defers to the wishes of local legislators on local bills.

Other legislators interviewed Monday morning said they wanted time to study the proposed legislation and talk with other members of the caucus. However, most said they tended to favor repealing Greensboro’s exemption from the petition law.

"I’d be willing to look at it," said Rep. John Blust, a Greensboro Republican. He said that such laws should be applied evenly throughout the state. "I do want to find out why in the world Greensboro was exempted."

Reps. Alma Adams and Earl Jones and Sen. Katie Dorsett, all Greensboro Democrats, said the issue needed study but they were inclined toward changing the law to favor citizens.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com