Guilford County finalizes zoning for more than 900 acres of land de-annexed from Summerfield

Guilford County recently finalized zoning for nearly 1,000 acres of land de-annexed from the town of Summerfield.

The move is the latest in a back-and-forth between Summerfield and developer David Couch over a potential mixed-use project. After years of turmoil, the state legislature approved removing more than 970 acres from the town in June.

Zoning for most of the land was decided by the Guilford County Planning Board in August. But the decision for about 80 acres was sent to the county commissioners.

On Thursday, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a general business zoning for the remaining portion of land to the northeast.

Attorney Tom Terrell, who represents Couch, said at the meeting that his client allowed extra conditions.

"It mirrors very closely the zoning that it had before it was de-annexed, and it matches the zoning, is actually more restrictive, than the zoning that the town said it would accept," Terrell said.

Restrictions include a ban on multifamily housing and outdoor theaters. The next step would be for the developer to submit a new proposal to the county.