South Greensboro Area Plan - Public Review Draft - 9.25.25

Natural Environment

Barber Park

Bluford Park

Community planning guides development while safeguarding the natural environment, including clean air, water, and green spaces. In the study area, improvements like stream restoration, green infrastructure, infill development, and more street trees could help reduce flooding, manage stormwater, and improve air quality. These strategies would also make neighborhoods more attractive, walkable, and resilient to climate impacts.

Legend

Publicly-Owned Open Space Parks & Open Space Tree Coverage Creeks Drainage Basins Streets that Intersect Floodplain Voluntary Agricultural District 100-Year Floodplain Floodway

Rotherwood Park

Water Resources & Flooding

However, many of the commercial areas are lacking trees, as well as flood protections such as detention ponds, stormwater basins, or updated drainage systems, reflecting older development styles and Agricultural District A Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) in Guilford County, North Carolina allows farmers to voluntarily commit to preserving their land for agricultural use. Administered by the Guilford Soil and Water Conservation District, the VAD program is designed to protect farmland from development and promote agricultural activity. Landowners who enroll agree not to develop their land for at least 10 years, although the agreement is non binding and can be withdrawn. The City of Greensboro’s AG (Agricultural) Zoning District is designed to preserve land for agricultural, forest, and open space uses until urban development is supported by essential services; however, no such properties exist in the study area. requirements. Voluntary

Alamance Church Rd Most of the study area is in the South Buffalo Creek watershed. The area’s three main creeks run north-south, including Ryan Creek, which flows northeast into Buffalo Creek. A section of Ryan Creek between Randleman Road and South Elm-Eugene Street is channelized, making it visually unappealing and increasing water velocity. Development within the floodplain is discouraged to avoid impacting the ecosystem services provided by these natural areas. However, limited development within these areas, such as for a greenway, may be feasible. Urban Tree Canopy Tree canopy and coverage provide significant benefits to communities and are often linked to improved air quality, reduced impact of noise, higher property values, and improved health. In the study area, tree coverage is most prominent in the southern and southeastern regions, particularly in areas with little or no development. Residential neighborhoods within south Greensboro are home to a good tree canopy of mature trees. Draft Liber ty Rd US 421 I-85 400 US Feet

Greenfield Park

0 100 200

US 421

Edgemont Rd

Wiley Lewis Rd

Blumenthal Rd

Ritters Lake Rd

SOUTH GREENSBORO AREA PLAN / 65

ENVIRONMENT, PARKS, AND OPEN SPACE

PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT - 9/25/25