Council approves changes to lien timing, bans encampments on public property and renews soccer lease; several rezoning items split

Greenwood City Council voted on multiple ordinances and land-use items during its regular meeting, approving changes to lien-filing timing, a new ordinance prohibiting encampments on public property, and an updated lease for a local soccer club while taking mixed action on rezoning requests.

The council unanimously approved ordinance 25-005 to amend the city code to remove references to 30- and 60-day delays before the city files liens in court, directing that liens be filed “as they are incurred.” The vote was recorded as 7-0 in favor.

Council also adopted ordinance 25-006, which adds an ‘‘encampments on public property’’ article to the municipal code (chapter 36, article 8). The ordinance makes it unlawful to camp or maintain an encampment on public property — including streets, sidewalks, open space or waterways — and authorizes removal after written notice posted at the encampment. It creates an expedited three-hour abatement option for imminent public-health or safety threats and includes an express penalty provision requested by the municipal judge. That measure passed unanimously, 7-0.

Separately, the council approved on second reading ordinance 25-008 authorizing the city manager to execute an updated site lease with the Lincoln Torres Soccer Club (described in the packet as a local soccer organization). The updated lease extends the term through Dec. 30, 2035; council members said budgeted funds are available for planned site improvements tied to the lease. The ordinance carried, recorded as unanimous by the members present (vote tally shown as 6-0 in the record; one council member stepped out earlier in the meeting).

Land-use and rezoning actions were mixed. Council postponed consideration of a rezoning request involving property on Maxwell Avenue — the motion to postpone was moved and carried unanimously and the item was rescheduled for the June 16 meeting. A later rezoning request for 202 Mineral Court to a master-planned residential district (described by staff as a proposed 60-unit, two three-story building development funded in part by low-income housing tax credits and increasing density to just under 20 units per acre) passed on second reading by a 6-1 vote. Council also denied a rezoning request for 217–219 Durst Avenue (ordinance 25-011) by unanimous vote, and approved rezoning 216 Harvey Avenue (ordinance 25-012) from Neighborhood Commercial to RM-7 (residential manufactured housing) by a 5-1 recorded vote.

Council handled a procedural zoning matter for a proposed rezoning at 701 Chase Avenue (first reading). Members voted to send that request back to the planning commission for reconsideration to ensure the commission had the corrected future land-use map and full information — the motion to return the item to planning commission carried unanimously.

Other formal actions included the council appointment of Keith Jamieson to the accommodations tax advisory committee; the appointment was approved by vote (recorded as carried). Several routine consent-agenda items were approved at the start of the meeting.

Why it matters: The lien and encampment ordinances change how and how quickly the city may act on property liens and on campsite removals on public property, including adding a narrower expedited abatement process for health-or-safety risks. The rezoning approvals and denials will affect housing density, redevelopment sites and future permitting in the identified neighborhoods.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 25-005 (amend city code chapter 18 and cross-reference in chapter 28) — motion to approve; mover: Mister Dean; second: Miss Huddl; vote: 7-0; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 25-006 (add article 8, encampments on public property, chapter 36) — motion to approve including added penalties; mover: Mister Bass; second: Miss Huddl; vote: 7-0; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 25-008 (update site lease with Lincoln Torres Soccer Club) — motion to approve (second reading); mover: Reverend Edwards; second: Miss Hutto; vote recorded as unanimous among members present (6-0 recorded); outcome: approved. - Rezoning, 359 Maxwell Avenue (rezoning request; item referenced in the record with ordinance number 25-009) — motion to postpone until June 16; mover: Reverend Edwards; second: Mister Bass; vote: unanimous; outcome: postponed to June 16 for further information. - Rezoning, 202 Mineral Court (master-planned residential, 60 units; referenced in the record with ordinance number 25-009) — motion to approve; mover: Mister Dean; second: Miss Hutto; vote: 6-1; outcome: approved on second reading. - Rezoning, 701 Chase Avenue (first reading; approx. 2.7 acres from R-4 to R-7) — motion to return to planning commission for reconsideration with corrected future land-use information; mover: unidentified in transcript motion text (council motion recorded); second: Mister Bass; vote: 7-0; outcome: sent back to planning commission. - Rezoning, 217–219 Durst Avenue (rezoning from R-4 to R-7; ordinance 25-011) — motion to deny; mover: Miss Huddl; second: Mister Bass; vote: 7-0; outcome: denied. - Rezoning, 216 Harvey Avenue (NC to RM-7; ordinance 25-012) — motion to approve; mover: Mister Dean; second: Reverend Edwards; vote recorded as 5-1; outcome: approved. - Appointment: Keith Jamieson to the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee — motion to appoint; mover: Miss Otto; second: Reverend Edwards; recorded as carried.

What the minutes show: The transcript records speakers calling out ordinance numbers during each public hearing and roll-call votes when motions were approved; where the transcript listed the same ordinance number (25-009) for two different rezoning items, councilmembers later discussed scheduling and clarification; the record does not resolve the duplicated ordinance reference in the agenda packet. The council asked staff to supply any additional requested materials ahead of postponed items.

Sources: Greenwood City Council meeting transcript (public hearing and new business sections).