By Nicky Smith
April 4, 2025
Last year, I stood shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of my neighbors as we worked to protect the character of our community through the Preserve Friendly Avenue initiative. We knocked on doors, attended meetings, and made our voices heard—because we believed that the people who live there should decide what happens in our neighborhoods.
Our success wasn’t just about land use. It was about something much bigger: ensuring that everyday residents still have a seat at the table in decisions shaping Greensboro’s future.
That’s why I’m deeply concerned about Senate Bill 688.
This bill proposes a dangerous shift in how zoning and development decisions are made at the local level. If passed, it would force cities like ours to adopt quasi-judicial procedures for rezonings and land use hearings. That means regular citizens would no longer be allowed to simply show up and speak—unless they can afford a lawyer to represent them.
Let that sink in: under SB 688, the voices of homeowners, teachers, single parents, retirees, and working families could be silenced unless they pay to be heard.
When hundreds of us packed the Greensboro Planning & Zoning Commission meeting in November 2023, our presence changed the outcome. We weren’t developers or attorneys—we were residents who care deeply about the place we call home. Had SB 688 been law then, many of us wouldn’t have even been allowed to speak. Our efforts might never have succeeded.
This bill doesn’t just silence voices—it creates new, expensive barriers for the very people most impacted by local development. It especially hurts low-income neighborhoods, where residents already face challenges in accessing the political process. It replaces open forums with courtroom-style proceedings, making public participation feel more like a legal battle than a civic duty.
SB 688 is not about transparency. It’s not about fairness. It’s about limiting public input in favor of bureaucratic red tape and backroom decisions.
We cannot let that happen—not in Greensboro.
As your next City Council representative for District 4, I will fight to protect your right to speak directly to your local government. I will oppose any state-level legislation that weakens our ability to make decisions locally, for ourselves.
Greensboro has a proud tradition of citizen engagement. Let’s not let Raleigh take away what we fought so hard to preserve.
Additional Reading References:
Fox 8 News – North Carolina Senate bill could limit public comment in zoning meetings
UNC School of Government Bill Summary of S688
Join me in advocating for community voices. Together, we can protect our neighborhoods and our democracy.
Let’s build the future our city deserves.
Donate today, and let’s choose Greensboro’s future. Together, we can ensure that our city thrives for generations to come. Your voice matters—your vote matters—your support matters. Let’s make it count.
– Nicky Smith
Candidate for Greensboro City Council, District 4
