Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - July 19, 2022
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Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - July 19, 2022
The Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission met on July 19, 2022, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included an invocation by Allen Thomas, roll call, approval of previous minutes, three rezoning requests, a street closure petition, and the election of officers. All actions were unanimous unless noted.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the June 21, 2022 meeting were approved (not discussed in detail in the transcript).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 3 – Green Estates LLC Rezoning: Two residents spoke in opposition. Wade Smith, a homeowner on Sweet Bay Drive, expressed concerns about traffic congestion on Allen Road, the single entrance/exit, already small lot sizes in the medium-density area, and potential environmental issues from watershed changes. Greg McCullough of Great Laurel Court voiced concerns about neighborhood character, safety for families and children, and the impact of added density on the existing road network. No speakers appeared in favor for this item.
- Item 2 – Liberty Investment Partners Rezoning: Jim Walker, representing the applicant, spoke in favor, noting the property’s commercial corner interest and the need for flexible MR zoning to allow a mix of single-family, clusters, and multifamily while retaining 8.6 acres for commercial. No opposition speakers.
- Item 4 – University Medical Park North LLC Rezoning: The applicant spoke in favor, indicating the site is well-suited for a hotel given adjacent commercial and medical uses. No opposition speakers.
- Item 5 – Southpark Drive Closure: No public comments were offered.
Discussion Items
- Item 2 – Rezoning 41.67 acres (Liberty Investment Partners): Staff presented that the property, located between Stantonsburg Road and MacGregor Downs Road, is zoned CG (General Commercial) and requested MR (Medical Residential, high-density multifamily). At full buildout, the proposed multifamily (approximately 400 units) would generate a net decrease in traffic compared to the current commercial zoning, so no traffic volume report was required. The property has no special flood hazard areas, minimal wetlands (only linear ditches), and is in the Schoolhouse Branch (10-year detention) and Greensmill Run (25-year detention) watersheds. Staff deemed the request consistent with the Horizons plan and approved future land use plan amendment. The Commission voted to recommend approval.
- Item 3 – Rezoning 3.497 acres (Green Estates LLC): Staff explained the property at the terminus of Laurel Ridge Drive is split-zoned R6A (medium-density) and R6 (high-density). The proposal would rezone the northern portion to R6 to unify the parcel, adding approximately 10–12 net units (total ~88 additional trips per day). The land use plan shows this area as a transition zone; staff found the request consistent with the comprehensive plan. During board discussion, members noted traffic concerns from the existing single access point but acknowledged potential future connectivity via Allen Road as adjacent R6 parcels develop. The Commission voted to recommend approval.
- Item 4 – Rezoning 1.89 acres (University Medical Park North LLC): The property near West Fifth Street and Moye Boulevard is zoned MO (Medical Office) and requested CG (General Commercial). Staff noted the site could accommodate a 150-room hotel (versus 20,000 sq ft of medical office under MO), generating a net increase of 982 trips per day. It is adjacent to existing CG zoning and consistent with the Horizons plan. No discussion from the board; the Commission voted to recommend approval.
- Item 5 – Petition to Close Southpark Drive: Staff presented a request to close a cul-de-sac dead-end street in Fire Tower Commercial Park. The closure would require the removal of pavement within the right-of-way and restoration with curb, gutter, and sidewalk. Utility easements (Greenwood Utilities) would be preserved. The Commission voted to recommend approval to City Council.
- Item 6 – Election of Officers: The Commission elected a chair and vice chair for a one-year term. Kevin Faison was re-elected as Chair; John Collins was elected as Vice Chair. Both elections were unanimous.
Key Outcomes
- Rezoning (Liberty Investment Partners): Motion to recommend approval (approve) passed unanimously.
- Rezoning (Green Estates LLC): Motion to recommend approval passed unanimously (7-0).
- Rezoning (University Medical Park North LLC): Motion to recommend approval passed unanimously.
- Street Closure (Southpark Drive): Motion to recommend approval passed unanimously.
- Election of Officers: Kevin Faison re-elected Chair; John Collins elected Vice Chair, both by voice vote with no dissent.
Next Steps: Rezonings and street closure recommendation will be forwarded to Greenville City Council for final action.
Meeting Transcript
Request by Liberty Investment Partners LLC to rezone 41.67 acres located between Stansburg Road Highway 264 and McGregor Downs Road and the West of Bees Barbecue Road from CG General Commercial to MR Medical Residential High Density Multifamily. Hey, uh just first of all, can you hear? No. No, I didn't think so. I thought we can try to get some audio on because I can barely hear. What? Um the noise, the music didn't play with the intro video either. Exactly. I I'll try to speak really loudly so everyone can hear, and we'll keep our voices up. Hopefully, we can get the audio working. I don't know if you can knock on the door and see if we can try to get that. So I'll just speak loudly. I can speak louder. Pretty easy for me. Um, so this property is located uh in the western section of the city. There we go. Fantastic. Um, it's probably gonna look a little familiar to you. Um, this is a property that came before you a couple months ago. There was a um future land use plan map amendment that um came before you it was approved. So now they're coming back and following up with the rezoning. Um, so this property is in between McGregor Downs Road and Stantonsburg Road, and then it's eat uh west rather of Bees Barbecue Road. Um here are just some signs that we posted. So this is from Stansburg Road. This is from the Gregor Downs Road, and then this is from Bees Barbecue Road. This is a survey of the property. It is um just a little over 41 and a half acres. This property is located in the schoolhouse branch and also in the Greensmill run watershed. So for the schoolhouse branch, if storm water is required, it will be 10-year detention. And if um the water flows into the Greensmill run watershed, again, if it's required, it'll be 25 year detention. Um, none of the property is located in a special hazard area. There may be some wetlands, but there are no streams or buffers. This property is currently zoned for commercial. This request is for high density multifamily. Um, so when the property was looked at at full build out under the current zoning and the proposed zoning, um, there actually would be a net decrease in traffic between the commercial and the multifamily. So a uh traffic volume report was not generated. The property is currently zoned for heavy commercial, so under that zoning, the property could yield um, and and again, this is 41 and a half acres, so it could yield a hotel, convenience store, restaurants, retail, um, even mini storage, and under the proposed rezoning, it could yield about 400 multifamily units. The land use plan recommends commercial at the corner of Stantonsburg and Bees Barbecue Road. It transitions into high density residential. Again, this is the land use plan amendment that was just approved. You also do have some potential conservation area again that's serving as a caution for potential environmental concerns. The request is for MR, that's high density multifamily. Um, it is part of the high density uh residential character and staff's opinion. The request is in compliance with the Horizons plan and the future land use plan map. Staff recommends approval, and I'll be glad to answer any questions. Is any part of it considered because there are some wetlands on the property um, but I do not know where they are exactly. Okay, thank you. Okay. Is there anyone to speak in favor of this? So the public hearing is open.
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