Guilford County Planning Board pushes zoning decision on former Summerfield land to Board of Commissioners

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners will have the last say on the initial zoning of land de-annexed from the town of Summerfield.

In an earlier meeting, the county's planning board applied zoning to almost all of the nearly 1,000 acres that were de-annexed earlier this year by the state legislature. Around 150 acres between Interstate 73 and Oak Ridge Road remain.

The property was de-annexed after a years-long back-and-forth between developer David Couch and Summerfield town officials. 

On Wednesday, the Guilford County Planning Board voted unanimously to zone the southeast and southwest sections of the remaining acres. But the board then voted 5-3 to approve a General Business zoning with conditions for the land to the northeast after further debate.

Since that vote passed with less than three quarters of support it will now appear before the Guilford County Board of Commissioners.

Planning Board Vice Chair Guy Gullick was one of the board members who voted against it. He said he was for development but saw too many risks with such a broad zoning.

"I haven't seen a developer talk to us, I haven't seen a conceptual plan, I haven't seen a site plan," Gullick said. "And I think to rezone a parcel this large, at least to me, I feel like it's not in the best interest of the people."

It's not yet clear when the commissioners will review the zoning.