Spartanburg City Council Meeting - April 13, 2026

The City Council of Spartanburg, South Carolina, met on April 13, 2026, at 21:26 UTC. The meeting included approval of minutes and agenda, public comments, proclamations, a year-one update on the homelessness initiative "A Place to Call Home," approval of a $4.5 million equipment lease purchase agreement, and a public hearing for annexation and rezoning of two parcels for a 92-townhome development with 10% workforce housing. Council also received updates on downtown activity and public input on the clock tower proposal.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the March 23, 2026 meeting.
• Approved the agenda for the April 13, 2026 meeting.
• Approved the consent agenda (routine approvals and unanimous actions).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chris Mathis: Expressed concerns about maintenance at the dog park, including insufficient grass cutting (knee-high), water budget ($5,000/year for 12 years despite park doubling in size), and the need for another dog park on the west side. Also urged the city to pursue convention trade, citing the Bassmasters event generating $9 million in three days, and suggested using the baseball stadium for fall/winter events.
• Dr. Brenda Lee Price: Opposed the renaming of South Liberty Street, noting its historical significance as the spine of the African American community established after emancipation, home to schools, churches, and the USO. Asked council to address the issue of renaming streets.
• Gina Drault (Strong Towns): Expressed support for public spaces, including the Barnett Park proposal, and highlighted the upcoming "Moose of the Mayor" event on April 25th. Said she moved to Spartanburg from Greenville because of Morgan Square.
• Don Bramlett: Supported the clock tower location at Barnett Park but raised concerns about parking, noting that First Baptist Church had closed its lot, and suggested communication with the church to reopen it. Also noted that the Chapman Center shares parking with Barnett Park.
• Andy Draught: Supported the comprehensive plan's housing section, particularly alternative housing like ADUs, duplexes, and pocket neighborhoods. Urged the city to legalize tiny homes on wheels as an incremental step, citing high costs ($200,000–$300,000) for traditional ADUs and noting that Greenville's ADU ordinance has not produced many units.
• Bailey Wren: Thanked the council for making public comments more accessible for people with disabilities. Supported the clock tower as the entrance to Barnett Park. Expressed concern about the city's reliance on invasive lily turf grass and urged incorporation of native plants in landscaping.
• Mot Kumar: Spoke in favor of the clock tower design at Barnett Park, noting it engages people and highlights history. Hoped it would be a first step toward a more integrated cultural district, but noted valid concerns about connectivity and the loudness of East St. John Street.
• Wesley Stark: Opposed moving the clock tower to Barnett Park, citing a petition with 3,000 signatures to preserve it at its original location. Criticized the city for not considering other sites and noted that the city manager confirmed no other sites were evaluated. Brought a Revolutionary War uniform from 1976 to highlight the tower's history.
• Al Snyder: Criticized the council for moving the clock tower and for building a "Lego palace" municipal building while restaurants close. Argued for building an arena to host hockey, basketball, and conventions, citing a Greenville Swamp Rabbits game that collected 9,000 teddy bears. Said the city should serve its people by leaving the clock tower alone.
• Leon Wiles: Announced his candidacy for chairman of Spartanburg County Council. Shared his background in public service and higher education administration. Advocated for balanced economic development, improved infrastructure, transparent budgeting, rational growth strategy, and effective public safety.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations: Council proclaimed April 2026 as Fair Housing Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. The child abuse proclamation noted that in fiscal year 2024–2025, there were 7,024 substantiated CPS investigations involving 12,371 children in South Carolina, with 340 children in Spartanburg County.
• "A Place to Call Home" Year-One Update: Presented by Hannah Jarrett, Director of the initiative. Key statistics: At least 3,000 people experiencing homelessness in Spartanburg County on any given night, half of them children; 50% of county residents are below the Alice threshold; 170 shelter beds, 175 transitional housing beds, under 4,000 housing vouchers with a 3–5 year waitlist; average rent $1,300 (affordable only at 125% AMI). Since launching in March 2025, the initiative has served 578 households (over 1,000 people), actively exited 132 people from homelessness, increased shelter and housing options by 20%, leveraged $750,000 city investment into $3.5 million total, and increased the county's share of Upstate Continuum of Care funding from 2.4% to 17% (proportional to homeless population). Staff of 10 includes a bus driver and a HART ambassador. Programs include Litter Heroes (expanding in July), HART (housed 4 of 5 most complex chronic homeless cases), and family shelter (Bridgeway) and transitional housing (A Way Home) – the first family shelter within 50 miles. Council members asked about eviction prevention, tenant education, mental health partnerships, and volunteer opportunities. Councilwoman Smith highlighted the difference between visible and hidden homelessness, especially families with children.
• Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement (Item 10): Ordinance authorizing up to $4.5 million for equipment replacement, including a fire truck approved in FY2024 (delivery January 2027), police vehicles, solid waste trucks, and IT upgrades ($650,000). Estimated interest rate 4.36% (5-year) and 3.78% (10-year), total interest cost ~$634,000 over five years. Discussion focused on rising costs (e.g., side loaders from $180,000 to $360,000), lead times, and the need to balance replacement cycles. Councilman Palmer questioned the frequency and cost, and councilwoman Smith asked about evaluating vehicle choices. Staff explained that the city uses a case-by-case analysis based on maintenance history, mileage, and hours (e.g., police vehicles with 100,000 city miles equivalent to 200,000–250,000 highway miles). A motion to authorize was approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing for Annexation and Rezoning (Item 11): Two parcels at 2191 Country Club Road and 2251 South Pine Street to be annexed and rezoned to B3 (general business) for a 92-townhome development with 10% workforce housing. The primary parcel is already in the city; the two county parcels are proposed for annexation. The project aligns with the comprehensive plan's infill growth sector. The planning commission voted unanimously in favor. No public speakers spoke in favor or against; one person raised general concerns about loss of green space and wildlife. The hearing was closed, and the rezoning was approved unanimously.
• Staff Update (Chris Story): Downtown was very busy over the weekend, with an estimated 15,000+ at the barbecue festival and 12,000 at baseball games over three games. The private group raised tens of thousands for Mobile Meals. Regarding the clock tower, the city received 137 emails to ClockTower@cityofspartanburg.org. The emails will be shared with council and posted online after redacting personal information. Comments ranged from supportive to critical, with some suggesting the county courthouse as a site. Story noted the city does not own or control the courthouse, and the county has not indicated interest. No action was sought.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of March 23, 2026 meeting.
• Approved agenda for April 13, 2026 meeting.
• Approved consent agenda.
• Approved ordinance authorizing up to $4.5 million equipment lease purchase agreement.
• Approved annexation and rezoning of two parcels (2191 Country Club Road and 2251 South Pine Street) to B3, with a 92-townhome development including 10% workforce housing.
• Council received the year-one update on "A Place to Call Home" and will continue to support the initiative.
• Council will review 137 public comments on the clock tower proposal before making a decision.
• Councilwoman Smith noted an SCDOT drop-in meeting on April 16, 2026 regarding a road diet on East Main Street from Converse Street to East St. John Street (proposed two-lane with turning lane and bike lanes).
• Meeting adjourned after singing "Happy Birthday" to Councilwoman Ruth Littlejohn (birthday) and acknowledging Kevin's birthday.