Greenville County Council voted 7-5 Tuesday evening to send back a rezone proposal to Planning and Development that would allow for nearly 500 new homes in an undeveloped section in the western part of the county.
Right now, 152 acres across from Grove Elementary School, is zoned industrial. But, property owner Phil Hughes and Hughes Investments are pushing for it to be zoned residential, which would allow Meritage Homes, a home building company, to build 481 homes.
“The issue is whether or not you want it to be industrial or would you like to see houses there,” said District 17 Councilman Joe Dill Tuesday afternoon. “So that’s the decision that we’ve got to make. I don’t think that’s a good place for industrial, but it’s ideal for houses.”
Opposition comes especially from District 25 Councilman Ennis Fant and District 26 Councilman Lynn Ballard. The property falls in both of their districts.
Both said they were concerned the home values of existing homes in the area -- some of which have been there for generations -- would skyrocket and lead to gentrification.
“The second you do reassessment, it drives up the value of these houses that are worth $100,000 to $150,000 now,” he said. “People who are seniors on a fixed income, the math shows that they would either have to sell or unfortunately lose their homes,” Fant said. “That is unacceptable. That should not be something that we’re doing to citizens of Greenville County.”
Hughes told WYFF News 4 entry-level homes there would be priced in the low $200,000s.
He said if the rezoning is approved, Meritage would set aside $400,000 for road improvements, $82,000 for sidewalks and that 17 of the 152 acres would be set aside for affordable housing.
Hughes also said Meritage will also set aside $200,000 to donate to Greenville County for homebuyer education programs, if approved.
No word as of Tuesday evening on when further action would be taken on the proposal.
https://www.wyff4.com/article/upstat...oject/36334244
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