Greensboro residents may have noticed that many “No Rezoning” yard signs have come down in the neighborhoods along Friendly Avenue. This is being done to save the signs for protesting any future rezoning request. The Friendly Coalition remains adamantly opposed to commercial encroachment on our residential neighborhoods. Should Regency Centers proceed with its proposal to build a strip shopping center on residential property at the corner of Hobbs Road and Friendly Avenue, the Coalition will be ready to fight back with public relations, legal and political efforts.

We are grateful for the broad support we are receiving from across Greensboro. Residents in many neighborhoods understand that this possible rezoning can negatively impact an important part of our community. We also want to thank members of the Zoning Commission and City Council who have given their time to learn about the many concerns Friendly Coalition has regarding construction of a shopping center in a residential area.

The Coalition does not expect the desire to rezone residential property around Friendly Center to wane, and so we will remain prepared to continue our actions to preserve our neighborhoods.

The Friendly Coalition is not going away.

Co-chairs, Greg Brown, Mark O’Connor, Scott Kinsey
Friendly Coalition

Scott Kinsey, a co-cochair of the Friendly Coalition was  interviewed about the announcement this week that Trader Joes is opening a store in nearby Winston Salem.  Unfortunately, the WFMY report implied that Winston Salem is embracing Trader Joe’s and Greensboro is not.  (See the report here).

After Kinsey sent a letter to the reporter, the website headline was changed from “Trader Joe’s Coming To Winston-Salem, Fight Against One Continues In Greensboro” to “Trader Joe’s Coming To Winston-Salem, Could This Impact Greensboro’s Chances?”

Kinsey’s letter to WFMY further stated:

“…We have been consistent in our message that it has nothing to do with the grocery store. In fact, everyone I have spoken to in our coalition is in favor of Trader Joe’s – if it is located in an existing commercial location.

I hope WFMY will clarify the following issues for their audience:

1. The Friendly Coalition is against commercial encroachment in residential neighborhoods, not Trader Joe’s.

2. There are plenty of existing commercial properties that would be a great fit for this development.

3. The residential lots in question have deed restrictions that prevent commercial development and allow only single family residences.

The best outcome for all would be for the developers and others involved to learn a lesson from Winston-Salem and the new Whole Foods grocery in Greensboro. Bring it to an existing commercial property and it can get done. Smart people can figure out a way to make it happen without destroying residential neighborhoods.”

Some Friendly Coalition yard signs are now disappearing during the night hours.  They have been stolen from the Hobbs Landing, Hobbs Road, Starmount Farms, Wedgewood and Kemp R. East neighborhoods.

These signs have been purchased by property owners and are considered personal property.  This has been reported to the Greensboro Police Department.  Please be diligent in watching for any suspicious activity, especially later in the evenings.  Leave your porch and yard lights on. You may want to bring in your sign each night and replace each morning.

As always, call the police department immediately if you see any unusual activity in the neighborhood.