Consolidated Development Rules Move Forward in Greenville Co.

Effort For Streamlined Regulations Amidst Political Resistance

In a bid to simplify and modernize development regulations, Greenville County is moving forward with its proposed unified development ordinance (UDO). This comprehensive revision primarily aims to consolidate and clarify antiquated or conflicting land management rules while accommodating the diverse interests spanning rural pasturelands, urban centers, and historic villages.

Reflecting New Needs in an Growing County

This UDO initiative responds to a rapidly growing county with diverse demands on land use. The 725-page document integrates rules from various existing policies, such as zoning directives, land development regulations, and tree ordinance, which were enacted back in the 1970s and have evolved independently and inconsistently. Greenville’s Planning Director, Rashida Jeffers-Campbell, addressed the issue, saying, “Our ordinances are generally outdated. The aim of the UDO is to fix that.”

Simplifying Land-Use Regulations

A majority of the UDO is a consolidation and clarification of existing codes, while the remaining 20% introduces modern rules for land use to keep pace with the county’s growth. To streamline the zoning process for unzoned areas, the UDO proposes reducing the size of the required contiguous area for zoning from a one-square-mile to a quarter-square-mile, making it easier but not too lenient.

Introducing Community Engagement

A noteworthy introduction in the UDO is the emphasis on community engagement. Developers of large projects, which require a site plan, will have to hold meetings with neighboring residents before moving forward. This rule already exists in the surrounding Upstate region, including the city of Greenville, and is likely to be received well.

Developing and Preserving Identity

The UDO also proposes measures tailor-made for the county’s historic mill communities, new zoning designations for rural corridors and villages, and a conservation area for Scuffletown. These efforts aim to maintain the identity of the countryside amid urbanization. Density bonuses for developers offering homeownership opportunities to mid-income groups and updated infrastructure requirements for large-scale developments have also been proposed.

Political Resistance for More Time

The sheer scale of this UDO, in development for four years, has stirred calls for slowing the process as the County Council prepares for a significant shift in membership. Some have suggested that the UDO waits until the new council assumes office in January next year. This has sparked debate within the council, with current members firm on moving forward with the proposed changes.

Conclusion

As Greenville County continues its rapid growth, the necessity for modern, optimized, and consolidated development regulations is paramount. The proposed UDO signifies progress in the right direction, but the transition assures to be a delicate balance between rapid implementation and addressing the concerns of incoming council members.