GREENSBORO, N.C. -
The Greensboro Zoning Commission will meet Monday to decide whether to rezone an area near UNCG for student housing.
An Ohio developer, Edwards Communities, wants to buy the Newman Machine Building at 507 Jackson St. in Greensboro and build student housing there. The unit would house about 750 students.
The property borders the College Hill neighborhood, and residents there are opposed to the rezoning efforts.
"I don't feel good about it at all. That's why I'm opposed to the project." said Ron Walters, who has lived in College Hill for 25 years.
Homeowners are worried that the student housing would increase traffic and complicate parking. They're also concerned the value of their homes will go down.
"This house is obviously well loved. If you put 700 and some students right up against that property line, why are they going to want to stay?" said Julie Davenport, a College Hill resident.
Edwards Communities could not be reached for comment. College Hill neighbors say they've tried compromising with the developers on the number of rooms and traffic issues in a few meetings.
"We've always been and had a number of students, and that's not something any of us consider bad. We just think 720 plus more will overwhelm us." said Davenport.
But UNCG students are also feeling a bit overwhelmed. UNCG enrollment is around 23,000 this fall, a record for the school, and sophomore Donavan Wells says housing on campus is at a premium.
"I'm in a freshmen dorm because they ran out of room for upperclassmen, so I got stuck in there. So I do think there's a need for more living spaces." said Donovan.
Other UNCG students say there isn't a lot of off-campus housing nearby, which makes walking to classes difficult.
"Just like this, on a rainy day, when it's cold, it's not that much of a walk and it's less a chance of you getting sick. And its basically, if you get farther away, it's less motivation to go to class and wake up." said Frank Nichols, a UNCG student.
The meeting is scheduled for Monday at 5:30 p.m., and College Hill residents are planning to protest beginning an hour before the meeting.
An Ohio developer, Edwards Communities, wants to buy the Newman Machine Building at 507 Jackson St. in Greensboro and build student housing there. The unit would house about 750 students.
The property borders the College Hill neighborhood, and residents there are opposed to the rezoning efforts.
"I don't feel good about it at all. That's why I'm opposed to the project." said Ron Walters, who has lived in College Hill for 25 years.
Homeowners are worried that the student housing would increase traffic and complicate parking. They're also concerned the value of their homes will go down.
"This house is obviously well loved. If you put 700 and some students right up against that property line, why are they going to want to stay?" said Julie Davenport, a College Hill resident.
Edwards Communities could not be reached for comment. College Hill neighbors say they've tried compromising with the developers on the number of rooms and traffic issues in a few meetings.
"We've always been and had a number of students, and that's not something any of us consider bad. We just think 720 plus more will overwhelm us." said Davenport.
But UNCG students are also feeling a bit overwhelmed. UNCG enrollment is around 23,000 this fall, a record for the school, and sophomore Donavan Wells says housing on campus is at a premium.
"I'm in a freshmen dorm because they ran out of room for upperclassmen, so I got stuck in there. So I do think there's a need for more living spaces." said Donovan.
Other UNCG students say there isn't a lot of off-campus housing nearby, which makes walking to classes difficult.
"Just like this, on a rainy day, when it's cold, it's not that much of a walk and it's less a chance of you getting sick. And its basically, if you get farther away, it's less motivation to go to class and wake up." said Frank Nichols, a UNCG student.
The meeting is scheduled for Monday at 5:30 p.m., and College Hill residents are planning to protest beginning an hour before the meeting.
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