YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1978 w w w. j a m e s t o w n n e w s . c o m
weekly edition
March 25-31, 2026 Vol 48 No 13 | 1 Section | 8 Pages
Town Council denies West Main Street rezoning The Jamestown Town Council did not follow the recommendation by Town staff but rather echoed the recommendation by the Planning Board — both on Nov. 10, 2025, and Jan. 11, 2026 — to deny rezoning of four parcels of land along West Main Street, partially across from Jamestown Elementary School. Just like the Planning Board, the vote was tied, this time with Mayor Susan Dickenson casting the deciding “no” vote. A large crowd attended the meeting to learn the result.
Burkely Communities requested the rezoning to construct up to 138 units of a multifamily residential community comprised of mansion-style homes and apartments at 207, 209, 301 and 305 W. Main St. to adjoin Lennox Square. The request was to rezone the properties from Main Street (MS) and Commercial/Main Street Transitional (C/MST) to Conditional Zoning-Residential/Main Street Transitional (CZ-R/MST). This would be a down-zoning. Since a school is involved, the Town required a Traffic Impact Analysis of the area prior to the Council’s decision. Davenport, a Winston-Salem engineering firm,
Guilford County School recognized for achievements This year students in Guilford County Schools reached three historic milestones: • Highest four-year graduation rate in N.C. history for 2024-2025. • Highest AP scores and participation in N.C. history for 2024-2025. • Highest CTE credentials earned in N.C. history for 2024-2025. The school system was recognized by Columbia University’s Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL) in a new project called “All Systems Go: How Shared, High-Quality Curriculums are Helping School Districts Reach Higher Together.” Have an event that you think needs to be included in About Town? Email Norma B. Dennis at ndworddesign@gmail.com or Carol Brooks at cab1hp@gmail.com
The Jamestown Town Council spent approximately three hours on town business on March 17. A nearly full audience was present. It unanimously awarded a contract for the East Main Street Sidepath project to Atlantic Contracting Com-
Imagine a fundraiser that highlighted both a season and a style. The first day of spring seemed the perfect time for a warmweather fashion show and that is exactly what members of Sedgefield Woman’s Club planned for their annual spring event at Sedgefield Country Club. Tables were set with napkins folded into beautiful rosettes and centerpieces resembling tiny ball gowns. Sunshine gleaming through the windows captured the colorful attire of guests. With a theme of “Runway in Bloom,” fashion was the focus for the day. Members modeled clothing and accessories found at area shops. The fashion show featured a variety of styles that were sure to fit most any upcoming occasion from fun and sassy to elegant and classy. Boutiques and shops who participated included Simply Meg’s, Feathered Nest, Pebble & Pear, Fleet Plummer, The Cottage, Blue Hydrangea, Seay Partner and Jewelry Appraisers of NC. Serving as models were Melissa Klenke, Linda Pritchett, Brandy Gillenwater, Kristi Slomski, Lyssa Colt, Sherry Mitchell, Cortni Miller, Robin Crosier, Lisa Albertson, Christy Kelly, Patti Morgan, Kathy Saunders and Blair Kopf. Absolute Comfort and Carter Bank were the presenting sponsors. Instead of the usual silent auction, vendors lined the
Photos by Norma B. Dennis
(Above) Members of SWC served as models showing items from local boutiques and shops. (At right) Participants had the opportunity to shop at a variety of vendors set up for the event. walls, with a variety of items for sale, many with a spring motif. Bags representing raffle items were displayed outside the ballroom where the event was held, waiting for guests to drop tickets into them with the hope of winning a prize. Drawings preceded lunch and when each winning ticket was announced the applause was loud, expressing the pleasee swc, page 6
Town Council public comments from March 17 meeting
pany, Inc. in the amount of $1,791,501, close to the project estimate of $1,769,000. “This project was identified in the Jamestown Comprehensive Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan in 2023,” said Public Services Director Paul Blanchard. “This project will complete a nice loop around Jamestown, in addition to connecting four see business, page 3
Compiled By CAROL BROOKS freelance writer cab1hp@gmail.com
Photo by Carol Brooks
Linda and Michel Williams
Council learns about General Assembly legislation By CAROL BROOKS freelance writer cab1hp@gmail.com On April 15 of last year, the Jamestown Town Council approved a contract with New Frame, Inc., to work in Jamestown’s interest on any proposed legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly. “The firm selected would be able to work directly with the Town Council each year to craft a specific legislative agenda which it would then use to strategically guide their work with our legislators, thus benefiting our citizens,” said Town Manager Matthew Johnson at the time.
see rezoning, page 3
By NORMA B. DENNIS FREELANCE WRITER ndworddesign@gmail.com
Lengthy Council meeting covers town business By CAROL BROOKS freelance writer cab1hp@gmail.com
plus two wooded areas. It is bordered in the rear by the railroad and on the west by Advance Auto. It is adjacent to the Lennox Square condominium development. Amanda Hodierne, attorney for the development spoke to what the “by right” uses, or what could go on the property without rezoning. A legal definition at www. lawinsider.com/, states “By right means a zoning permitting process wherein development may proceed under the zoning in place … without the need for a special permit, variance, zoning amendment, waiver, or other discretionary zoning approval.” By right
SWC combines season and style for spring fundraiser
Compiled By Norma B. Dennis Cultural Celebration On the morning of March 27, Millis Road Elementary School will celebrate the unique qualities that make up their school community. Nearly 100 students will participate in a Parade of Nations, carrying the flags of the 43 countries represented in the school. The parade will be followed by a folklore performance that includes Millis Road students.
conducted the 79-page study and found the new development would not increase delays at area intersections. John Davenport noted that traffic on Main Street has reduced in recent years. “A gas station/convenience center generates four times the number of trips generated than this site would produce,” Davenport said.
Since the November and January Planning Board meetings, Burkely has slightly changed their plans, reducing the maximum number of residences from 160 units to 136 and making the “mansion” style buildings abutting West Main Street have more of a farmhouse look than Charleston-style. Sterling Kelly, CEO of Burkely, restated the company also manages Courtyard Commons across the street and is completing two buildings at Lennox Square. The West Main Street properties include the currently vacant Frazier House, the previous site of the Potter House, featured in the Nov. 5, 2025, Jamestown News,
Nearly one year later, on March 12, lobbyists Brian Lewis and Skye David, updated the Town Council on the Assembly’s upcoming legislative agenda. The new short session begins April 22 and runs approximately six weeks. The General Assembly has 170 total members. The House is comprised of 71 Republicans and 49 Democrats. “The Republicans in the House have a super majority — minus one,” Lewis said. “They need one Democrat to come over and vote with the Republicans in the House to pass any legislation to get see council, page 2
Photo by Carol Brooks
Brian Lewis and Skye David address the Town Council on March 16.
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Kelly Wilkie “I have questions about the cement company that’s being put in off Mackey Road near the railroad tracks and adjacent to Adams Farm. Will it be running for 24 hours a day with a first, second and third shift? Will it put a strain on the power grid and make the electricity bills go up? What’s going to be done about the contamination that’s been there for years and has spread like a bad rash around the area. I assume they’re going to remove it or something like that. It used to be light industrial but it was rezoned for heavier industrial and I don’t understand why, when you have residential neighborhoods around it — Adams Farm and Sedgefield — restaurants, retail, and you’re going to put this big cement factory right there. I’m representing some other people who couldn’t be here tonight. “I’m also against the rezoning on West Main Street.” see comments, page 3
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By CAROL BROOKS freelance writer cab1hp@gmail.com