Greenville Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting - January 21, 2020

The Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission met on January 21, 2020, to consider a range of items including street closures, rezoning requests, a preliminary plat, and an amendment to flag regulations. The meeting began with prayer and roll call. The commission unanimously approved several items, including the withdrawal of a previous rezoning application, three street closures, four rezoning requests, a preliminary plat, and a code amendment with a friendly amendment.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from December 17, 2019, was tabled pending verification of a correction regarding which motions were seconded by Commissioner Gooks. The correction did not affect the outcome.
• The commission accepted the formal withdrawal of a rezoning request (Item #2) from 4 JP2 LLC for 31.03 acres at East 14th Street and Quill Ridge Road. The withdrawal was accepted unanimously, which prohibits a new application for 12 months.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item #7 – Rezoning request by HBL Investments LLC (Morton Drive/Gordon Drive): Two residents spoke in opposition. Karen Spangler, a resident of Ellsworth Drive, expressed concerns about existing traffic congestion on Ellsworth and Spring Forest Roads, noting that drivers exceed the 25 mph speed limit and that additional traffic would worsen safety. Erica Lozano, a resident of Morton Lane, cited traffic increases from nearby construction and asked for speed bumps to protect children and pets. The applicant, Brian Fagundis, responded that development is inevitable and that the proposal is similar to existing uses, with potential for interconnection and emergency access improvements.
• All other items had no public speakers either in support or opposition.

Discussion Items

• Item #3-5 – Three street closures (Atlantic Avenue, Bonners Lane, South Alley Street): Staff presented all three closures together, noting they are in the same neighborhood and part of a hotel development and parking lot project. The commission voted on each separately. No public comments were made. All three were approved unanimously.
• Item #6 – Rezoning request by Tipton Rentals LLC (Sarah Lane): The property is currently 16 duplex units on 2.514 acres. Staff recommended approval, stating the rezoning to R6 (high-density multifamily) would allow 25-30 units and is consistent with the comprehensive plan. The applicant noted the existing duplexes are over 25 years old and the surrounding area is already higher density. Approved unanimously.
• Item #7 – Rezoning request by HBL Investments LLC (Morton Drive/Gordon Drive): Staff described the 4.12-acre vacant property, zoned for single-family, requesting R6 multifamily. The commission discussed traffic concerns raised by opponents but noted the property will be developed eventually. The applicant clarified that the rezoning would align zoning with adjacent R6 properties. Approved unanimously after the public hearing.
• Item #8 – Rezoning request by Rocky Russell Development LLC (Laurel Ridge Drive): The 0.1817-acre property is a leftover lot from a subdivision that was incorrectly zoned office. Staff recommended rezoning to R6A (residential medium-density multifamily) to allow a single-family home. The applicant explained the zoning error. Approved unanimously.
• Item #9 – Rezoning request by John Marvin Taft (Charles Boulevard): Staff described the 2.209-acre parcel with an existing single-family home, surrounded by office and multifamily zoning. The rezoning to OR (office/residential high-density) would allow 25-30 units and is consistent with the future land use map. The applicant noted the property is an anomaly in the area. Approved unanimously.
• Item #10 – Preliminary plat for Farrington Trace (Fire Tower Road): Staff presented a three-lot subdivision totaling 12.943 acres, zoned OR. The plan includes a public street extension, stormwater detention, and right-in/right-out access. Staff approved the plat at the Subdivision Review Board. Approved unanimously.
• Item #11 – Amendment to flag regulations: Staff proposed updates to allow banner flags on buildings, increase maximum flag sizes (up to 1,000 sq ft in highway sign overlay districts), and add a 25-foot cap on residential flagpoles. During discussion, Commissioner Gooks noted that the proposed ordinance included a requirement that torn or frayed flags not be displayed on flagpoles, but no similar provision existed for banner flags. He requested a friendly amendment to add identical language. The applicant (staff) accepted the amendment. The motion was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Item #2: Accepted withdrawal of rezoning application. Unanimous.
• Item #3: Approved closure of a portion of Atlantic Avenue. Unanimous.
• Item #4: Approved closure of a portion of Bonners Lane. Unanimous.
• Item #5: Approved closure of a portion of South Alley Street. Unanimous.
• Item #6: Approved recommendation to council for rezoning (Tipton Rentals). Unanimous.
• Item #7: Approved recommendation to council for rezoning (HBL Investments). Unanimous.
• Item #8: Approved recommendation to council for rezoning (Rocky Russell Development). Unanimous.
• Item #9: Approved recommendation to council for rezoning (John Marvin Taft). Unanimous.
• Item #10: Approved preliminary plat for Farrington Trace. Unanimous.
• Item #11: Approved amendment to flag regulations with friendly amendment. Unanimous.