We Cannot Move Forward Constructively

GREENSBORO – Now that the vote regarding the Rural Edge proposal is behind us, many have suggested it’s time to move on. I agree. But we cannot move forward constructively without addressing the divisive tone and tactics that have shaped this conversation for far too long.

I’m not writing to rehash the outcome, but to offer a perspective that has been repeatedly misrepresented; at times in ways that have felt personal and deeply disheartening. The narrative that opponents of the project are simply “classist,” “anti-housing” or “wealthy, white, and elderly,” has been pushed forcefully across platforms, sometimes by individuals who have benefited the most from generational housing opportunities in Greensboro. These same voices, loud, persistent and often dismissive, have dominated public spaces and social media with the argument that dissent equates to selfishness or bigotry. That approach extinguished any chance for real dialogue and, frankly, discouraged many from speaking up at all.

So when the vote didn’t go as expected, there was shock. But perhaps that shock was rooted in a lack of meaningful civic engagement along the way. If there had been more honest, inclusive conversation, less browbeating and more listening, the result might not have felt so surprising. The truth is, opposition to this project was never opposition to affordable housing as a concept. Many who voted “no” did so because they believe it must be pursued responsibly, with infrastructure in place, transparency in process and respect for the character and capacity of the town we all share.

Throughout this process, the tone and conduct at public meetings, particularly from our elected town officials, have been condescending, rude and at times openly dismissive of concerned residents. Those who asked thoughtful questions were often met with eye-rolls, sharp rebuttals or outright accusations of bad faith. It has been disheartening to watch people in positions of public trust shutdown honest dialogue instead of encouraging it. And yet, somehow, that reality has been almost entirely overlooked by local media outlets. In their coverage, the complexity of this vote has been flattened into a convenient headline: “Greensboro rejects low-income housing,” accompanied by catchy quotes from a select few. That’s not only an oversimplification. It’s a disservice to the truth and to those who participated in this process with care and integrity.

I know these concerns firsthand because I’m one of the people directly affected. The home my partner and I purchased just a few years ago has already sustained tens of thousands of dollars in water damage, caused by overburdened culverts and unmanaged runoff, more than once. These are issues that will only worsen with large-scale development if proper infrastructure isn’t addressed first. We even explored partnering with Rural Edge to develop an accessory dwelling unit; a small, local solution we could contribute to. But the process was discouraging and overly rigid, highlighting the disconnect between those who need housing and those who actually qualify under county AMI formulas. 

Our town roads, storm drains and lack of public wastewater capacity are already stretched thin. The proposed development would have added no fewer than 30 to 50 new residents and paved infrastructure without the town having a real clear plan or budget to handle it. To complicate matters further, the proposed wastewater solution involved the use of private land associated with individuals connected to the broader planning conversation and decision making. While there has been no suggestion of wrongdoing, the arrangement raised understandable questions for some residents about transparency and whether all aspects of the project had been clearly communicated. Unfortunately, those concerns received little attention in media coverage or in commentary from outside the community.

Moreover, the glaring silence around short-term rentals throughout this debate has been baffling. We have homes sitting vacant much of the year or rotating through weekend visitors, while we scramble to build new units on unprepared land. Cities across the country have enacted sensible regulations requiring short-term rentals to be part of a primary residence, yet in Greensboro we seem unwilling to even acknowledge their role in our housing landscape.

And yes, generational housing is part of that landscape. It’s not inherently a problem. Many families have deep roots here. Those who own multiple properties should recognize their position and influence. When those same individuals are also the loudest voices discrediting alternative viewpoints, it’s worth pausing to ask whether the playing field has been fair or inclusive at all.

Housing is a very real concern. As a local business owner, I feel that impact daily. But we also listen to the needs of our team and take them into account when we talk about what the future of housing could and should look like for the low-income young people who want to build a life here.

Let’s be clear: the “no” vote was not a blanket rejection of affordable housing. It was a call for better planning, greater transparency and mutual respect. And if we want to make real progress in Greensboro, we must replace finger-pointing with collaboration. We are neighbors, not opponents.

As a younger member of this community who chose to make Greensboro my home, I did so with the sincere hope of contributing to its long-term well-being. My partner and I aren’t here to watch it fade, we’re here to help it thrive, responsibly and with heart. All of that to say: the recent discourse, across public forums, meetings, and social spaces, has often felt combative, exclusionary, and out of step with the kind of community we chose to join. Greensboro deserves better, and we should all be willing to hold ourselves, and each other, to a higher standard.

Warmly submitted by someone who still has questions, held a green sign, and hoped for a two-sided conversation, I’m a concerned (and still hopeful) Greensboro resident.
This letter reflects the personal opinions and lived experiences as a resident and community member.

Editor’s note: Punctuation and spelling have been edited to improve the readability of this letter.

Elsa Schultz

Elsa Schultz is general manager of the Highland Lodge in Greensboro with Chad Sims.