Residents of the Conestee neighborhood urged Greenville County to reject a rezoning request that would make a split-zoned property entirely C-2 commercial, a change they said would permit a liquor store and intensify nuisance activity behind nearby homes.

Robert Neil, who lives at 835 Second Avenue, said he organized a petition opposing the rezoning and described the existing store as poorly maintained. “They wanna put a liquor store in our backyard, and we don't want it,” Neil said. He warned that a liquor store would undermine investments in the area, including redevelopment of the historic mill and higher-end housing across the Reedy River.

Neighbors described litter, suspected drug activity, and trash associated with the current store. One resident who lives directly behind the site said she frequently witnesses drug deals and picks up trash blown from the store. “We don't need no liquor store,” she said.

Staff explained that part of the property is already zoned C-2 and that a liquor store could be built on that portion today; the request would simply make the entire parcel C-2 and thus remove locational limits for where a C-2 use could be placed on the site. Staff also noted that split zoning can constrain parking and other minimum requirements for uses.

No vote was taken at the hearing. Residents provided a petition to staff and requested that the county consider enforcement and code-violation history before proceeding.