Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - March 16, 2021

The Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission met virtually on March 16, 2021, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included an invocation, roll call, approval of minutes from February 16 and 18, 2021, and public hearings on three agenda items. No votes were taken on the new business items; they were continued to a special meeting on March 18, 2021, for discussion and voting. The meeting recessed until that date.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the February 16, 2021 and February 18, 2021 meetings were approved unanimously. A correction was noted: the January date was changed to February in the recess language for the February meeting. Motion by Chris West, seconded by Alan Thomas. Vote: 8-0 in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rezoning Request (Item 2): Richard Angino, representing Third Wave Housing LLC, spoke in favor of rezoning 12.3 acres along SW Greenville Boulevard from RA20 to R6. He stated a market study showed a 3% capture rate (30 units of demand per unit built) and plans for 84 three-story walk-up apartment units. No speakers opposed.
• Preliminary Plat (Item 3): Brian Fagundis, representing YBYA LLC, spoke in favor of the Ridgewood Farms Cluster Subdivision revision. He explained that the reduction from 119 to 98 lots and changes to the street network (conversion of a through street to a cul-de-sac) were due to wetland delineations from the Corps of Engineers and Division of Water Resources. Commissioner Maxwell asked about wetlands in the central area; Fagundis confirmed that area met wetland criteria and would remain as common open space. No speakers opposed.
• Text Amendment (Item 4): No members of the public registered to speak in favor or opposition.

Discussion Items

• Rezoning Request – Third Wave Housing LLC (Item 2): Staff presented the request to rezone 12.30 acres from RA20 to R6. The property is vacant and not in the floodplain, but has jurisdictional wetlands and buffers. Under current zoning, the site could yield ~48 single-family homes; under R6, about 100–111 multifamily units. Staff noted consistency with the Horizon Plan’s high-density residential designation. Commissioners asked no questions. The public hearing was held and closed.
• Preliminary Plat – Ridgewood Farms Cluster Subdivision (Item 3): Staff presented a minor alteration to a previously approved preliminary plat (April 2020, 119 lots). The revision reduces lots to 98 and alters the street network (removing a parallel street and changing a cul-de-sac) due to wetland delineations. The plat is zoned R6S (single-family) with an R6 multifamily area. Subdivision Review Board already approved the plat. Commissioners asked Fagundis about wetlands. The public hearing was held and closed.
• Text Amendment – Zoning Ordinance Changes (Item 4): Staff proposed three changes: (1) moving quasi-judicial hearings for Land Use Intensity (LUI) and Master Plan Community special use permits from Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council to the Board of Adjustment, as that board regularly handles such evidentiary hearings; (2) adding Digital Broadcast Studio as a permitted use in all industrial districts (currently permitted in office and commercial districts); (3) clarifying that the 15-foot setback for multifamily applies to duplexes and single-family homes functioning as one unit, while townhomes/apartments require a 25-foot setback. Commissioners asked about the rationale for shifting quasi-judicial hearings; staff explained it consolidates similar proceedings under the board best equipped to handle them. The public hearing was held and closed.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approval: Approved unanimously (8-0).
• Continuance to March 18, 2021: All three new business items (rezoning, preliminary plat, text amendment) were continued to a special meeting on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at 6:00 PM. During that meeting, the commission will discuss and vote on the items; no additional public hearings or input will be taken. Written public comments submitted by email within 24 hours after the hearing closed will be presented to the commission.
• Motion to Recess: A motion to recess until March 18 was made by Commissioner Maxwell, seconded by Commissioner Faison, and approved unanimously (8-0).