Council approves first reading to rezone 116 Mount Vernon Circle to allow lot split and a second single-family home

Greer City Council on Jan. 14 held the first reading and moved to approve rezoning for a parcel at 116 Mount Vernon Circle, changing the classification from rural residential to suburban neighborhood to permit a lot split and construction of a second single-family detached home.

Planning staff said the lot is in an established Burgess Hills neighborhood. The parcel already meets the 50-foot frontage requirement for rural residential but could not accommodate a new home under the rural-residential side-setback requirement of 30 feet; suburban-neighborhood zoning reduces the side setbacks and allows the proposed lot layout. Staff and the planning commission recommended approval, noting the change is consistent with the city's future land-use map.

The property owner's representative, licensed residential builder Aaron Semenak, told council his intent is to build a house "in keeping with the neighborhood" and offered that both the existing and proposed homes would be listed for sale.

Council members debated neighborhood character and precedent: some members said similar rezonings elsewhere had produced appropriate infill homes, while others expressed concern that the lot's geometry is tight and could lead to uncertain product quality without further design constraints.

The council approved the first reading and will schedule subsequent hearings/second reading as required by ordinance procedure.