Committee approves adding property to Terrapins Estates Special Tax District

The Roads, Infrastructure and Public Works Committee voted Aug. 19 to approve a request from the Terrapins Estates Special Tax District to add one property to the district and forward the ordinance to full county council. Commissioners representing the special tax district described the district’s formation, membership thresholds and recent outreach to nonmember property owners.

Bob Hollis, one of three commissioners for the district, told the committee the district is governed by Greenville County Council ordinance and the district operates under bylaws and an open-records philosophy. "We think that the Terrapins Estates Special Tax District belongs to the property owners and we're here to support what they want for us to deliver," Hollis said. He thanked county staff, including Chris Atley and Tracy Hackersley, for assistance in preparing the request.

Hollis reviewed the district’s history: the district formed in September 2018 with an approval threshold of 75% of property owners and 75% of property tax value. The neighborhood is organized in sections; Sections 1–3 were included in the initial formation, and Section 4 (built later) and Terre Creek Court were added or considered in subsequent outreach. Hollis said Terre Creek Court originally had lukewarm support; five properties joined in a later round while others did not. He said two previously undeveloped floodplain lots existed in Terre Creek Court.

Hollis said the current request adds Mr. DeMarco and his wife as joining property owners; the commissioners continue outreach to the remaining nonmember owners and expect a property coming up for sale may lead to further membership. He said the district funds landscaping, maintenance, entrance signs and some street lights, and noted most street lights are paid for by the White Hampton Fire Department.

A commissioner asked whether properties outside the district but adjacent to it receive benefits; Hollis answered that those properties do enjoy the district’s improvements. Following the presentation, a commissioner moved to approve the ordinance and send it to full council; the committee voted by voice and the motion passed.

Discussion vs. decision: the record shows an explanatory presentation by district commissioners describing history, membership thresholds and recent outreach (discussion), and a formal committee vote approving the property addition and forwarding the ordinance to full council (decision).