Jordan Green takes a close look at some of the development issues facing GSO and its City Council.

Three controversial rezoning cases to be considered by the Greensboro City Council on Feb. 5 will test the legislative [sic] body's stance on high-density residential development near the new urban loop, as the city contends with a softened housing market that local officials and builders hope will be offset by a job boom over the horizon.

The influence of developers in land-use decisions - reflected in developers sitting on city and county government boards and funding political campaigns - has given rise to fatalism and anger among some opponents who see themselves as outflanked by a web of politically-connected players. Some opponents have also cited an ongoing drought and strained municipal resources as reasons council should take a more cautious approach with development.

Meanwhile, with home sales flagging, some developers are trying to pack more units per acre into building sites to keep sale prices down and profits up, while favoring relatively cheap land at the city fringe to available sites closer to the city center.

John Hammer has a good piece in today's Rhino (online Monday) about a neighborhood effort to amend development and land-use plans.