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Council certifies 153 Oakwood as abandoned building to enable developer tax credits
Summary
Spartanburg City Council approved a resolution certifying 153 Oakwood as an abandoned building site under state law, a step developers commonly use to qualify for state income tax credits on redevelopment.
The City of Spartanburg on Jan. 28 approved a resolution certifying the property at 153 Oakwood as an abandoned building site under the South Carolina abandoned-building statute, allowing a developer to pursue state tax credits if the property is redeveloped.
City staff described the parcel as an old office building, formerly a pediatrician’s office, that has not been in business since 2007, and said the site meets the statutory definition for certification. The developer indicated preliminary plans for approximately 21 townhomes adjacent to an ongoing townhome project on Avance Street (referred to in staff remarks as Converse at Towns), but staff said the developer was not yet comfortable sharing full design drawings.
City staff explained the abandoned-building tax credit process: certification by the municipality is an early step that enables developers to claim state income tax credits if and when they undertake qualified rehabilitation. "If and when they develop the property, they are able to tap into some state income tax credits," staff said. The council voted to approve the resolution after a brief question-and-answer exchange about the property location and building type.
A council member moved to approve the resolution; the motion carried and staff recorded the item as approved in the meeting minutes. Staff said they had reviewed the site and planning staff were satisfied that the property met statutory criteria for certification. The council did not review or approve final development plans or zoning changes as part of the certification vote.
Council discussion included clarification that the resolution applied to the building at 153 Oakwood and not to any unshared developer plans. Council members had requested more detailed plans; staff reiterated that the developer had not provided full drawings for council review at this stage.
The certification allows the developer to pursue state-level tax incentives but does not obligate the city to approve subsequent zoning, site-plan approvals or building permits. Staff said they would provide additional materials if and when the developer submits formal project documents for review.
