HIGH POINT – The High Point City Council put off a vote on the controversial Market Overlay District for furniture showrooms Monday night after hearing for almost an hour and a half from nearly two dozen speakers for and against the proposal.

Mayor Becky Smothers announced near the end of the council meeting that the public hearing on the proposed district, which would set new downtown boundaries for showrooms, will be continued to the council meeting Dec. 7 at City Hall. Smothers told The High Point Enterprise following the meeting that she doesn’t expect the council to vote on the issue until after the first of the year.

The district, which would cover 249 acres, is designed to establish an area for showroom development and encourage other business growth, such as restaurant and retail, outside the district in the central part of High Point. All existing showrooms outside the district would be grandfathered in as showrooms as long as they remain in operation.

The Market Overlay District proposal has generated debate in market circles since showroom owners received a letter from the city earlier this year with details on the plan.

Of the 22 people who spoke at the public hearing Monday night, the majority opposed the Market Overlay District proposal in its current form. Most of those who spoke in opposition have downtown property holdings that would be outside the district.

Having a property outside the district could drive down the value of buildings, said downtown landowner Tony Sink.

“I sort of feel like we are getting the short end of the stick when we are surrounded by showrooms but not included. The market has been here 100 years and done well without this overlay business,” said Sink, reflecting the sentiment of many speakers.

Market Overlay District advocate Aaron Clinard said the intent of the proposal isn’t to hurt any showroom owner but spur growth in the city during the 48 weeks of the year when market isn’t in session.

The proposal has been studied for years by committees made up of residents and planning professionals before being presented to the High Point Planning & Zoning Commission and the City council, Clinard said.

The Planning & Zoning Commission last month unanimously recommended the City Countil approve the proposal.

pjohnson@hpe.com | 888-3528