Council hears broad UDO amendments covering variances, sidewalks, signage, slopes and traffic analysis; first reading held

At the Aug. 26 Greer City Council meeting, planning staff presented a package of third-round amendments to the City of Greer Unified Development Ordinance that would change review criteria, allowable uses, design standards and engineering thresholds. The council conducted a first reading of ordinance 22-2025 and received the amendments for further consideration.

Staff said the package is the product of implementation experience since adoption of the UDO and includes a mix of clarity edits, code corrections and substantive policy changes. Miss Cottey (planning staff) guided the council through the changes and said staff tested several provisions against current project reviews to refine wording.

Principal changes explained by staff - Variances and special exceptions: the UDO adds criteria for special exceptions and references the state enabling act for variances; staff said the enabling act provides criteria for variances but not special exceptions and that this change clarifies review standards. - Planning commission timeline: the amendments add language that allows a reasonable extension of time not to exceed 90 days when planning commission tables an item; council members questioned whether the 90-day default could produce an automatic approval and asked staff to have the city attorney re-review the language before second reading. - Sidewalk and pedestrian standards: sidewalk width in the regional center zoning district would be reduced from 10 feet to 8 feet to align with downtown standards; required sidewalks on-site would be a minimum of 5 feet for residential projects. - Signage and overlays: maximum wall-sign percentage in downtown overlays would be reduced from 10% to 8% to make overlays consistent with citywide code. - Mobile homes and mobile home parks: staff clarified that mobile homes and mobile home parks are separately defined and noted there are three designated mobile home parks; new mobile homes would be allowed within existing parks subject to park-specific standards. - Automotive service uses: auto-service uses would be limited to more intense commercial corridor zoning rather than commercial general; existing auto businesses would be grandfathered as legal nonconforming uses but could lose that status if the use ceases for more than 90 days. - Traffic impact analyses and permit timing: staff proposed clearer triggers and an ability to require updated TIAs if site approvals or permits lapse; staff said DOT or third-party engineering review would be consulted if conditions have changed materially. - Slope, retaining walls and maintenance: amendments clarify steep-slope definitions and require steeper slopes be held in open space with HOA maintenance; staff said the intent is to keep residential lots buildable and maintainable and to reduce erosion and drainage problems seen in recent projects.

Council concerns and requests Council asked several clarifying questions and raised policy concerns. Councilman Jay Arrowood pressed about the 90-day planning commission timeline and whether default approvals could occur when developers do not appear; council asked the city attorney to review the provision before second reading. Multiple council members discussed nonconforming uses and asked staff to consider relief pathways for businesses harmed by natural disasters or roadway changes; staff noted variance and appeal processes exist and suggested the city attorney consider additional options.

Next steps Staff said the amendments will return for second reading; council members asked staff to provide additional materials and to coordinate with the city attorney on items flagged during the discussion.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are listed in the speakers section below.