Exciting JL News

Since this was in the News and Record today, I feel completely comfortable posting it to my blog... Everything is still in the early stages but it's extremely exciting news! Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Starmount Shifts Plans for Corner Site
GREENSBORO - Starmount Co. has revised its plans to develop property at West Friendly Avenue and Green Valley Road. The longtime local developer still plans to donate about an acre there and the historic house on the property to the Junior League of Greensboro. But instead of moving the house to one end of the property and building offices near Green Valley, Starmount has decided to turn the remaining land into a park dedicated to company co-founder Blanche Sternberger Benjamin. The private company's board, which includes members of the Benjamin family, voted in favor of the park plan at a meeting earlier this month. Starmount hopes to donate the intended park — about 5 acres — to a nonprofit and reap the tax benefits. Even so, though, the company will be taking a financial hit. Building offices or townhomes on the land was a much more lucrative proposition than leaving it undeveloped. But those prospects might have cost Starmount some local goodwill; neighbors in Starmount Forest have opposed development at the corner. They see the Starmount property as the first in a line of dominoes falling along the south side of West Friendly. That area, part of the former town of Hamilton Lakes, was protected from rezoning for 50 years when it became part of the city of Greensboro. That protection expired Jan. 1. Ron Wilson, president of Starmount Residential, said the company's revised plans will set a precedent for limited residential growth along the corridor. He credited the company's board for supporting the plan and said area residents should follow suit. "They ought to be there backing it and saying 'Go team,'" said Wilson, who lives in Starmount Forest and has been on the receiving end of angry missives from some of his neighbors. City zoning and parks officials, and the City Council, will have to sign off on Starmount's development plans. Wilson said the company could seek a rezoning in August. Look for more in tomorrow's News & Record.