HIGH POINT – Furniture showroom managers, property owners and others shared concerns with city officials Tuesday about a proposed zoning district they said could harm their businesses.

Several people voiced opposition to the market overlay district during the City Council’s Planning and Development committee meeting, a day after the council initiated the process toward implementation of the district, which would designate where new High Point Market showrooms are allowed.

Existing showrooms outside the boundary could continue as such as long as they haven’t ceased operations for more than two years. They also would be able to seek an exemption from the city that would allow them to expand, with some limitations. Still, opponents said being outside the district would hurt property values and bring other adverse consequences.

“This will hurt the furniture industry,” said Cathy Hinson, building manager for Union Square on English Road. “We’re a showroom, too. Why did you cut us out?”

City leaders explained that one idea of the district is to help revitalize the downtown area, which hasn’t been able to draw much retail business and other uses because the existence of showrooms in widely scattered areas has contributed to inflated property values. The proposal originated with High Point’s Core City plan and takes into account recent trends that indicate the market has been contracting and using less square footage within existing showrooms, officials said.

Curt Miller, who owns a 13,000-square-foot English Road property near Union Square, said there are about 10 properties near his that currently are used as showrooms or have been in recent years that are all outside the boundary.

“The best thing we can do is expand the overlay district to encompass that area,” he said.

The proposal goes before the Planning and Zoning Commission next month and could be considered for adoption by the council in November.

pkimbrough@hpe.com | 888-3531