Greer council approves fee changes, splits on Mount Vernon rezoning, OKs North Lyon corridor rezoning

The Greer City Council on Jan. 28 approved amendments to the city's comprehensive fee schedule, rejected a rezoning request for a Mount Vernon Circle parcel and approved a zoning change for property on North Lyon Street Extension.

The council voted on three ordinances and acted on a staff-and-applicant request to hold another resolution. Mayor Danner led the meeting and called for motions on each ordinance; Mr. Boyles, a planning staff member, described the two rezoning requests for council consideration. The council also noted a vacancy on the Board of Zoning Appeals after a District 3 resignation.

The fee-schedule ordinance (Ordinance No. 1-2025) adds impact fees and amends permitting and ID-card fees for peddlers, solicitors and canvassers. Planning staff presented the ordinance as drafted; there were no substantive amendments during the meeting. Mayor Danner asked for a motion for second and final reading; the motion and second were made and the council received the ordinance for a final vote during the meeting.

The council considered a rezoning request for one parcel at 116 Mount Vernon Circle (Ordinance No. 2-2025). Planning staff said the current zoning is rural residential and the applicant requested suburban neighborhood to allow a lot split and a detached single-family home. Planning staff noted the property's topography and that the prospective builder owns the adjacent house.

Several council members questioned how the proposed lot split would affect surrounding properties and whether zoning or the unified development ordinance (UDO) provides safeguards for neighbors. Concerns raised included the potential for flag-lot development, driveway surfacing, siding materials and the proposal's fit with the neighborhood's character. After discussion the council voted against receiving the rezoning request on second and final reading.

The council then took up Ordinance No. 3-2025, a request to change zoning for a parcel owned by B. Scott Streetman LLC at North Lyon Street Extension from Medium Density Residential to Commercial Corridor. Staff noted the planning commission recommended approval while staff recommended denial. Council members who spoke said the lot appeared to be a previously carved parcel and that combining it with the adjacent property would be appropriate; the ordinance passed on second and final reading.

Staff and the applicant asked that Resolution 3-2025 be held over to a future meeting; the council approved that request.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance No. 1-2025 (Comprehensive fee schedule: add impact fees; add peddler/solicitor/canvasser permit and peddler ID fees): Motion to receive for second and final reading made and seconded; council received the ordinance for final consideration and the ordinance was adopted. (Transcript shows motions and confirmations; full roll-call tally not fully recorded in transcript.)

- Ordinance No. 2-2025 (Rezoning, 116 Mount Vernon Circle: Rural Residential to Suburban Neighborhood): Motion to receive for second and final reading; council discussion raised concerns about flag lots, materials, driveways and neighborhood character. Council did not approve the rezoning on second and final reading (no formal approval recorded).

- Ordinance No. 3-2025 (Rezoning, North Lyon Street Extension: Medium Density Residential to Commercial Corridor): Planning commission recommended approval; staff recommended denial. Council voted to approve the rezoning on second and final reading.

- Resolution 3-2025: Applicant and staff requested a holdover; council voted to hold the item to a future meeting.

The council also noted a vacancy on the Board of Zoning Appeals after Adam Toma's resignation effective Dec. 31, 2024; council members said they are considering candidates and no appointment was made at the Jan. 28 meeting.

The meeting concluded with no executive session.