Commission backs rezoning of Rosenwald School site to public lands for park and community center

The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners adopt an ordinance rezoning roughly 12.96 acres formerly occupied by the Rosenwald School from R1/R2 residential to PLI (Public Lands & Institutions).

Annie Siloway (principal planner) said the county acquired the site in 2019 to redevelop the parcel as a public park with pavilions, a fishing pier, and a roughly 6,000‑square‑foot community center designed for cultural events, youth activities and community services. "Staff finds the requested PLI zoning classification to be consistent with the Semino County Land Development Code and the existing future land use of public/quasi‑public," she told the commission.

Community members who attended voiced strong support. East Alto community association leaders said they have awaited redevelopment of the long‑vacant site and were pleased to see initial construction activity such as grading and sidewalk work. Parks and Recreation officials will set rental and operations policies and rates once the project moves into design and permitting stages.

The commission's recommendation to rezone to PLI will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption of the ordinance, after which Parks & Recreation will finalize facility plans, operating rules and rental rates.