Greensboro Will Allow Hobbs-Friendly Rezoning

The Greensboro City Council has approved a contentious rezoning request. This now paves the way for commercial and residential development on the northeast corner of Hobbs Road and Friendly Avenue.

The News and Record reports the council voted 7-2 in favor of Halpern Enterprises' request to rezone 6.4 acres from residential to planned-use development for retail shops and housing units.

Opponents, supporters and council members spoke for more than 90 minutes before the vote.

About 200 residents turned out Tuesday night to show their opposition to the development.

Halpern is the third company to try developing the property in recent years.

The company's chairman, Jack Halpern, says he's not sure when construction will begin because he put off signing deals with interested retailers until the rezoning was approved.

If opponents want to overturn the City Council's decision, they must appeal to Guilford County Superior Court within 30 days.