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Council approves Alliance Planned Development changes; unit reduction tied to LIHTC cap, stormwater moved to above-ground detention
Summary
The council approved modifications to The Alliance Planned Development District on Lawrence Road and Ackley Road. Council and staff said a reduction in the number of units was driven by South Carolina Housing (LIHTC) unit caps and that underground stormwater detention was replaced with an above-ground pond for cost and maintenance reasons.
The Greenville City Council approved changes to The Alliance Planned Development District, which covers property on Lawrence Road and Ackley Road. The council discussed unit counts, stormwater design, and safety measures before voting to adopt the modification.
Staff and council members said the reduction in units was not a choice to reduce affordable housing but was driven by limits imposed by South Carolina Housing on the number of Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) units available for the project; council members explicitly noted a maximum cap of about 100 units under those credits as described in the meeting. The staff also described changes to stormwater handling: initial plans considered underground stormwater collection under parking, but the revised design places detention above ground in a pond near the Haley Court cul-de-sac. Staff and a project representative explained the switch was driven by feasibility and cost — underground detention is more expensive, complicated by rock at the site, and requires more ongoing specialized maintenance — while above-ground detention is easier to maintain and inspect.
Council members asked about safety around the pond; staff confirmed required safety fencing would be part of the design. Staff also emphasized the project should improve existing drainage: current site topography drains uncontrolled to the same area and the project’s stormwater system will capture and release water more slowly, yielding a net improvement for neighbors.
Why it matters
Council members framed the project as a net gain for neighborhood drainage and a needed source of affordable housing, even at the reduced unit count. The project’s feasibility depended on LIHTC availability and engineering constraints, both of which shaped the design that the council approved.
Next steps
Council passed the ordinance and staff indicated follow-up with final stormwater plans and coordination with SC Housing and project engineers will occur as the project advances toward construction approvals.
