Spartanburg City Council Meeting - August 10, 2026

The Spartanburg City Council met on August 10, 2026, to approve routine items, hear public comments on transportation, discuss an ordinance transferring a vacant lot to Habitat for Humanity, receive an update on the Downtown Transportation Plan, and announce the selection of a new police chief. The meeting concluded with council member updates and a motion to enter executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the minutes for the July 27, 2026 City Council meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
• Approval of the agenda for the August 10, 2026 City Council meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sam Bakieran (resident of 177 Pierpont Avenue, member of the Bike and Pedestrian Committee) expressed support for the transportation plan. He specifically requested a protected bike lane for Magnolia Street, more connections to major shopping centers on the east and west sides, and thanked the city for its work on bike and trail systems.
• Livingston Hawkins (City Council District 6, chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee) spoke in support of biking infrastructure. He praised the East Main bike lane's parking-protected design, contrasted it with the Magnolia Street bike lane (calling it unsafe due to the door zone), and urged protected bike lanes in future phases and corridors.

Discussion Items

Ordinance: Transfer of Scatter Site Properties to Habitat for Humanity

• Mr. Livingston, Community Development Director, presented a request to transfer one vacant lot (0.23 acres at 457 Bethlehem Drive) in the Highland neighborhood to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is building nine homes in the area; one is completed, one is under construction, and this lot will be the third. The home will be a four-bedroom house for a large family. Councilman Martin asked about total Habitat homes citywide; staff noted approximately six on North Forest and others in the Northside area, with a presentation from Habitat's executive director scheduled for the August 24, 2026 council meeting.
• A motion to adopt the ordinance passed unanimously.

Downtown Transportation Plan Update

• Fredel Frazier (Planning Director) and Ernie Bauman (consultant from Tool Design/Modern Mobility) presented the draft final plan. The study area is bounded by Daniel Morgan Avenue, Henry Street, and Pine Street. Key findings: downtown intersections perform well for motorists; congestion is limited to commuting hours. Recommendations fall into short-term (0–3 years), mid-term (3–7 years), and long-term (8–15 years) phases.
• Short-term recommendations (A-I): Closure of Dunbar and Main through Morgan Square; dedicated pedestrian phase at Church and Main; replace northbound left turn lane on Church with planted median; convert Dunbar to stop control with right-turn-only; mid-block crossing at Dunbar/Church; mid-block crossings on Church between St. John and Daniel Morgan; raised mid-block crossing on Dunbar; three-way stop at Liberty and Main.
• Councilman Fulmer raised concerns about bike lane widths on Magnolia/Kennedy (too wide, causing vehicular confusion), requested bollards, and urged moving a mid-block crossing at Commerce Street to short-term due to heavy pedestrian use (especially Social Security visitors). He also asked about connections to the new joint government complex and developments on Broad/Spring. Frazier and Bauman acknowledged adjustments could be made but noted implementation order dependencies.
• Councilman Smith asked if SCDOT had agreed to short-term items; Frazier confirmed yes, praising District 3 leadership.
• Councilman Rogers asked why raised crosswalks were not used on Church Street; Bauman explained Church is a U.S. highway, limiting treatments to pedestrian refuge islands.
• Councilman Brown noted a dangerous crosswalk at East Main/Broad near Richardson Park; staff agreed to review.
• Councilman Fulmer noted that SPARTA bus routes were not part of the study scope, though pedestrian improvements considered transit accessibility.

Staff Update: Police Chief Selection

• City Manager Mitch Story announced the selection of Major Art Little John as the next Chief of Police after a national search. The process involved an organizational assessment, surveys, written/verbal exercises, and a two-day assessment by seven sitting police chiefs. Major Little John has 38 years with the Spartanburg Police Department, starting as a patrol officer in 1988, and has served in numerous roles including commander of the tactical neutralization team and Office of Professional Standards. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and recipient of the Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement (2022).
• Chief Designate Little John spoke, thanking the council and city manager, and emphasized his commitment to service, citing personal experiences like responding to the Benji Easler train crash. He expressed readiness to lead.
• Council members unanimously congratulated him, noting the rigor of the national search and his distinguished career.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of July 27, 2026 minutes and August 10, 2026 agenda.
• Unanimous approval (first reading) of ordinance authorizing transfer of vacant lot to Habitat for Humanity.
• Police chief selection announced: Major Art Little John will become the next chief; transition details to follow.
• Downtown Transportation Plan update presented; no vote required, but staff will consider council feedback for implementation phasing.
• Council member updates reported community events: Back-to-School party (August 1), Bethlehem Center event with Dawn Staley (August 30), Hampton Heights History Day, South Side Promise graduation (August 6), Banana Ball games (three sold-out), Midnight Basketball, and Monument Monday.
• Motion to enter executive session approved.