Neighbors split over proposed 30-unit townhome project near West Blue Ridge Drive

CEW Greenville LLC asked Greenville County to rezone a 3.79-acre parcel at West Blue Ridge Drive, Aladdin Street and Evergreen Street from C-1 and R-7.5 to RM-10 at a public hearing on the evening’s docket CZ-2025-060.

The applicant’s representative, Paul Harrison of Blue Water Civil Design, said the proposal would yield roughly 29–30 townhome units after accounting for floodplain and required buffers and that access would be from Highway 253. “You’ll have to meet the arms manual, but there’s no need for a T.I. at this point,” Harrison said, summarizing a preliminary conversation with the state Department of Transportation about site access.

Why it matters: The site sits across Highway 253 from an active redevelopment area and contains floodplain that constrains buildable acreage. Neighbors and the applicant both said the type and design of housing will affect traffic, pedestrian connections and the neighborhood buffer between Blue Ridge Drive and adjacent homes.

Supporters and conditions: Ben Lord, president of the San Susty Neighborhood Alliance, said the neighborhood appreciated early outreach and that thoughtfully designed moderate-density housing can be positive. “We believe additional housing options…can be a positive step for our community,” Lord said. He urged the county to require traffic-calming measures (for example, a center median) and to include pedestrian and bike connections to surrounding streets. The neighborhood also asked that the wooded buffer near the stream be preserved where possible to protect wildlife and provide a green amenity.

Opposition and concerns: Several nearby residents opposed the rezoning at the hearing. George Lenza, who said he represents about 22 households on Donnybrook, Aladdin and Evergreen, told the county the parcel functions as a noise and visual buffer: “That land is a buffer between Blue Ridge and these residents. Some of these residents have been here over 50 years,” Lenza said. Victor Seifert, who lives directly behind the site, described wildlife he sees from his patio and said he was concerned about loss of habitat and increased noise and traffic.

Project details and constraints: The applicant described an RM-10 townhome product with an estimated 29–30 units; the presentation noted roughly 0.82 acres of the site would remain in existing C-1 zoning, and that a portion of the property is encumbered by floodplain that reduces net buildable area. The developer said plans call for buffers and site landscaping. DOT’s early feedback, as related by the applicant, indicated no dedicated turn-lane requirement at this time but that state driveway standards must be met.

Process and next steps: This hearing was informational. Greenville County staff said the Planning Commission will make a recommendation (recorded presentation referenced a Planning Commission meeting on Aug. 27, 2025) and the Planning & Development Committee will review recommendations thereafter. No formal vote was recorded at the public hearing.

What’s next: Interested parties may submit written comments to the zoning administrator or attend the Planning Commission and committee reviews to offer additional input.