Here is a recap of the Greenville City Council meeting on Nov. 25.
Discussion: Greenline-Spartanburg Master Plan
Council heard an overview and update of the Greenline-Spartanburg Master Plan schedule. The preliminary recommendations centered on affordable housing and infrastructure updates, and the city has focused on community engagement in an effort to hear from neighborhood residents.
Some of the priorities listed by residents included intersection updates, lighting improvements and addressing speeding on neighborhood roads. A recurring issue discussed during the session was a need for improved home ownership rates in the neighborhood bordered by North Church Street, East North Street and Harrington Avenue.
The proposed plan will go before the city’s Planning Commission on Dec. 5 for review.
Discussion: Accommodation tax in workforce housing
The city has been at work on a plan to utilize a portion of its accommodations tax revenue toward the development of workforce housing. It falls under South Carolina Act 57 tackling housing for families earning 30% to 120% of the area’s median income. For a four-person family, the upper end of that range is roughly $89,000 annually.
The plan will be incorporated into a five-year plan with the hope for adoption as early as 2026. The housing impact analysis will go before city of Greenville’s Planning Commission during its Jan. 7, 2025 meeting. If approved, it could then go to City Council as an ordinance as soon as the Jan. 13, 2025 meeting.
Discussion: Development code
Council and city staff discussed some proposed Greenville development code changes as its 18-month milestone approaches. Some proposed changes include:
- Change of use standards for businesses to concentrating on a ‘like with like’ density model
- Tree preservation corridors and vegetation buffers
Read more: Greenville development code undergoes first annual review
Discussion: C-Funds
Council discussed some upcoming projects to be utilized with allocated gasoline tax funds (C-Funds). The appropriation of the funds has allowed the movement of some long-awaited projects.
Some upcoming projects and timeline start dates include:
- Phase 2 of the Augusta Street Safety project: Spring 2025
- Willard Street bridge replacement: Winter 2025
- Stone Avenue and Rutherford Street intersection: Spring 2026
- Stone Avenue/Interstate-385 safety improvements: Spring 2026
Approved: Resolution for bridge replacement work
City Council approved an ordinance allowing the state to perform emergency bridge replacements along South Hudson Street and West Washington Street. The vote reflects a Municipal State Highway Agreement between the city and the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
Councilmember Lillian Brock Flemming said that although it is an agreement that involves the city, concerns from the public arising from the bridge replacement should be directed to SCDOT.
Approved: Annexation
Council unanimously approved the annexation and rezoning of 1.57 acres of property on Guess, Orr and Seth streets. It also amended the ordinance to reflect both RN-A Neighborhood A District and RN-C, Neighborhood C District zoning.
Items presented for first reading
- Annexation and zoning of 2.89 acres along Easley Bridge Road. The site is proposed for IX, Industrial Flex District. Approved, unanimously
- Annexation and zoning of 0.20 acres at 46 Orr St. The site is proposed for RH-C, House C District. Approved, unanimously.
- Annexation and zoning of 0.41 acres at 17 Prosperity Court. The site is proposed for RH-C zoning. Approved, unanimously.
- Annexation and rezoning of 62.3 acres at 402 Roper Mountain Road from a PD, Planned Development District to a CM, Campus District. Approved, unanimously
- Rezoning of 6.7 acres at 301 East Camperdown Way from an RC-3, Community 3 District to a CV, Civic District. Approved, unanimously. This motion also removed a portion of the property from the city’s Downtown Design Overlay District.
- Firefighter’s pension fund one-time cost of living adjustment for retirees. Approved, unanimously.
