Council denies rezoning request for 702 East Washington Street after neighborhood concerns

The Greenville City Council voted to deny an ordinance that would have rezoned 0.271 acre at 702 East Washington Street from RNX-X to MX-3.

The motion to rezone, introduced as agenda item 15c, was seconded and brought to the table for discussion. Planning staff and the planning commission had both recommended denial after site visits and public input, noting that MX-3 allows uses such as bars and brew pubs that are not compatible with the immediate neighborhood context. During public comment, resident Joe Farmer of 207 Alpine Way urged the council to deny the request and said the property sits within the Pettigrew Historic District and that rezoning could prompt further commercial conversions and short-term rental impacts.

Staff explained that RNX districts were intentionally designated in Pettigrew to limit short-term nightly rentals and to preserve neighborhood compatibility. The planning commission and staff concluded MX-3 was not appropriate at this location. On the roll call, all council members present voted to deny the rezoning (Council member Dworkin/No; Council member Gibson/No; Council member Brisington/No; Council member Stahl/No; Council member Dow/No; Mayor Pro Tem Fleming/No), which resulted in the item failing to pass.

Why it matters

Planning staff and the planning commission framed the decision around neighborhood compatibility and the Pettigrew community’s expressed preference during the zoning rewrite process to limit short-term rentals. Council members and a public commenter said preserving homeownership and residential character in that area was a priority.

What happens next

Because the council voted to deny the current rezoning application, the property remains zoned RNX-X. Any future change would require a new application or a different motion before council. The planning staff record notes that RNX allows rentals of 30 days or more but not nightly short-term rentals under MX-3.