Last month, council members asked city planners to come up with an alternative concept for the proposed district, which would set new downtown boundaries for High Point Market showrooms.
The proposed revisions include extended boundaries that would take in some downtown area properties that were outside the original borders. When the district was first proposed last fall, it drew opposition from property owners, showroom managers and others affiliated with sites outside the boundaries.
The revisions would enlarge the proposed boundaries by taking in areas that include existing showrooms between High and Church avenues west of N. Main Street and between W. Grimes Avenue and W. Green Drive west of S. Elm Street.
Existing showrooms within the district would be deemed conforming uses of land that could expand without special permission from the city in accordance with zoning requirements. New showrooms would be allowed only within a proposed growth area – a smaller area within the district. Under the proposed guidelines discussed so far, existing showrooms outside the district would be grandfathered in as long as they haven’t ceased operations for more than two years. Planners are seeking guidance from the council on whether to keep that provision in place for showrooms outside the district.
If the council decides to pursue the alternate concept, new public hearings on the proposed district before the Planning & Zoning Commission and council would be required.
The idea for the district originated with High Point’s Core City plan, which seeks to revitalize the downtown area by encouraging other business growth, such as restaurant and retail, outside the district in the central part of High Point.
The meeting is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 211 S. Hamilton St.
pkimbrough@hpe.com | 888-3531
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