Spartanburg City Council Meeting – May 26, 2026

The Spartanburg City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. (rescheduled from Memorial Day). The council approved the consent agenda, held a public hearing on the FY2026-2027 budget, adopted two budget ordinances, approved an ordinance clarifying obstruction of public property, and approved a development agreement for a mixed-use project at 145 West Broad Street. Public comments addressed transit, pedestrian safety, and community connectivity.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the May 11, 2026 city council meeting.
• Approved the agenda for the May 26, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vanessa Leach advocated for increased public bus frequency, extended evening hours (past 6 p.m.), and more stops serving college students. She suggested partnering with colleges to include unlimited bus passes in tuition to fund the service.
• Gina Drott (Hillbrook neighborhood) advocated for safe sidewalks, noting the absence of sidewalks in her neighborhood and the difficulty of walking due to traffic. She expressed appreciation for the Wildflower Way trail and called for more connections for safe walking.
• Liveston Hawkins thanked city council and staff for work with SCDOT on the East Main Road diet project. He noted a Converse University student’s excitement about a safe bike route to downtown, and praised upcoming connectivity between the Hub City Hopper, West Main bike lanes, and trail projects.
• Andy Draft (new resident of about one year) thanked the community for welcoming his family. He encouraged continued openness to new residents, entrepreneurs, and leaders, and expressed support for upcoming zoning and housing ordinance changes.

SPATS 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (Information Only)

• Daniel Griggs, transportation planner for SPATS (Spartanburg Planning Area Transportation Study), presented the 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), a 25-year visionary document for the county. The public involvement period opened April 21 and ends May 29, 2026. The plan identifies needs for roads, public transit, and multimodal paths. Projects are ranked using weighted criteria including public feedback. Council discussed coordination with the city’s bus system (Sparta) and the county’s penny sales tax projects. Councilman Lewis expressed concern about the Pine Street corridor and tanker truck traffic near Pine Street School, noting SCDOT’s lack of cooperation; Griggs confirmed that previously identified issues remain under consideration in the new LRTP.

Public Hearing on FY2026-2027 Operating Budget and Revenue Ordinance

• City Manager Chris Story presented the proposed budget, noting a stable financial condition, no increases in property tax millage or household fees (solid waste, stormwater), a 5% revenue growth projection, and a continued focus on employee compensation (cost-of-living adjustment, absorbing health insurance increases). The budget includes additional resources for downtown policing (non-sworn personnel, real-time crime center cameras), and funds for facilities and equipment. The budget authorizes approximately 10 unfilled police officer slots.
• Public Comment: Vanessa Lack spoke in favor of the budget, supporting additional downtown policing resources to address public drunkenness and harassment. No one spoke against the budget.
• The council voted to approve the operating budget ordinance (Item 8) and the revenue ordinance (Item 9) affirming the same millage rate and fees. Both passed unanimously.

Ordinance on Obstruction of Public Property

• Mitch Kennedy presented an ordinance amending city code to clarify that obstructing streets, alleys, parks, public rights-of-way, or sidewalks with personal property or prolonged congregating (without a permit) is unlawful. Enforcement will be handled by property maintenance and environmental services (not criminal). The ordinance gives 72 hours to remove personal property unless it creates a safety hazard. Council discussed applicability to trash bins, yard service tape, and bikes on sidewalks. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Development Agreement for 145 West Broad Street (Barrett Investment)

• Chris Story presented a development agreement with Barrett Investment for a mixed-use project on the block adjacent to the new joint city-county government complex. The project will include 220 market-rate rental apartments, restaurant/retail space (including a permanent home for Blue Moon), and a parking garage. The Barretts will invest approximately $70 million. The project includes a 20-year tax payment schedule: $84,000 in year 5, escalating to $1.9 million in year 20 (with a floor, but expected to be higher). Council discussed the lack of affordable units in this project, but noted a separate 48-unit affordable project on Kennedy Street (50-60% AMI). The development agreement was approved unanimously.

Staff Updates

• Zoning Ordinance Update: Chris Story reported that the city has hired a consultant for the zoning ordinance rewrite and is finalizing the public meeting schedule.
• FEMA Reimbursement: The city received most of the $1.5 million in FEMA reimbursements for Hurricane Helene damages (about $1.2-1.3 million recovered). Remaining work on private properties is ongoing.
• Microtransit Pilot: Council discussed expanding the microtransit program, noting that it currently serves all colleges within city limits but not the community college main campus or USC Upstate. Council requested updated statistics and analysis on expanding the pilot citywide.

Council Member Updates

• Council recognized Memorial Day and thanked service members and their families.
• Council highlighted early voting records in South Carolina and the state Senate’s failure to pass a redistricting map that would have split the city along Pine Street into two congressional districts – a positive outcome for city influence.
• Councilwoman Brown noted issues with racing on top levels of parking garages (St. John/George Dean Business School) and asked for enforcement.
• Council congratulated recent graduates and recognized community relations manager Kathy Hill for 35 years of public service.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved.
• FY2026-2027 Operating Budget and Revenue Ordinance adopted (no tax or fee increases).
• Ordinance on Obstruction of Public Property adopted.
• Development Agreement with Barrett Investment approved (mixed-use project at 145 West Broad Street).
• Council directed staff to provide updates on microtransit expansion and zoning ordinance public process.
• Council encouraged public participation in the SPATS 2050 LRTP survey by May 29, 2026.
• The meeting adjourned to executive session.