Greenville County Braces for Nearly 400 New Homes with Four Subdivisions in Pipeline
Four New Developments Gain Approval
On Aug 28 at an official meeting, the planning commission in Greenville County approved the construction of 382 new homes spread across four distinct developments. The magnitude of the projects spanned from a six-house assembly off Interstate 85 located east of Greenville to an expansive 288-home subdivision in the Piedmont area. All but one of these burgeoning projects faced opposition from residents, a direct reflection of the ongoing struggles that come with a rapidly growing population.
A Breakdown of the Four Approved Projects
Owens Glen: The Largest of All Planned Developments
The Owens Glen development, the largest among the approved initiatives, is set to take shape on a 121-acre piece of land in the Piedmont district. The proposed development provides for three access points on Owens Road as well as on Flat Rock Road. The subdivision plan includes the construction of six new public roads, six detention ponds, and a central communal pool. As part of the initiative, the developer will also enhance the local infrastructure with the addition of left turn lanes on Flat Rock Road and improvements to a 90-degree turn where the road links to the development site.
However, these ambitious plans were met with opposition at a local level, by residents who felt anxious about the potential strain the new developments would put on local infrastructure, schools, and the general character of the area.
Arbor Gate: The New Addition to Five Forks
Meanwhile, without any opposition, the Arbor Gate project- an ambitious and eco-conscious development of 57 townhouses has been given the go-ahead. These houses will be developed on a 22-acre plot in the Five Forks area on Woodruff Road, one of the shrinking number of vacant lands bordered with existing subdivisions. The homes are designed to be arranged around three acres of central greenspace and additional spaces on the periphery, all connected by sidewalks.
Reid Valley II: A Return to Unfinished Business
Another townhome development, cradled west of Greer, named Reid Valley Section II, was also approved by the commission. The 26-unit project is envisioned to take shape on a 3.6-acre area off Center Road. The project reinvigorates efforts by the developer, Lennar Homes, who shelved their original plans to develop in the early 2000s. The local residents of the area, however, raised concerns about increased traffic that development could potentially cause.
Virginia Pines: The Smallest but Significant Proposal
The smallest approved plan, named Virginia Pines, had no notable opposition and consists of a six-house community off I-85, east of Greenville city. The development will have three shared driveways and will connect directly to Whispering Hollow Road, a frontage road along the interstate.
In summation, despite various local oppositions, the planning commission of Greenville County showed confidence in the projected benefits of these four new developments. The new homes are expected to cater to the needs of a rapidly increasing populace, while developers have also promised infrastructural upgrades and considerations for traffic management in the process.
