The Greenwood Advisory Plan Commission on Nov. 10 recommended a zone map change for about 29.86 acres on the south side of Wurstwell/Wirtsville Road, forwarding a favorable recommendation to the Common Council with eight conditions intended to protect adjacent residential neighborhoods and meet the city’s infrastructure standards.

Petitioner Eric Prime, representing Rhine Homes, told the commission his client proposes about 102 single‑family home sites, with house plans ranging "from 1,500 to 3,000" square feet and sale prices averaging in the mid‑$400,000s. He described the site as constrained by a railroad that runs along the property and a Duke Energy substation to the south, and said the development would include common area and tie sidewalks into an existing asphalt path on Wirtzko Road.

Why it matters: The parcel sits between established subdivisions and industrial uses; the commission’s conditions aim to provide buffering, trail connectivity and infrastructure measures so new homes do not aggravate traffic or stormwater risks.

Staff recommendation and conditions: Planning staff favorably recommended the rezoning but requested several conditions. The motion adopted by the commission incorporated staff’s seven conditions and added an eighth. The formal conditions require: compliance with applicable building design, landscaping and subdivision standards; a landscape inventory with preservation of healthy, noninvasive trees; incorporation of a range of housing types consistent with the comprehensive plan or, as the motion put it, a range of housing "within reason"; common open space, stormwater detention areas and a multiuse trail along the industrial edge for buffering; vehicular and/or pedestrian connections to adjacent undeveloped parcels as appropriate; all infrastructure improvements designed and constructed per TRC requirements and city standards; and trail design aligned with the Greenwood future trail network. Commissioners added a requirement for acceleration/deceleration lane lengths on Morrisville Road at the entrances.

Points of contention: Planning staff repeatedly urged that the future land‑use designation calls for "mixed residential" and that a mix of housing types (townhomes, duplexes, single‑family) is preferred. Prime and the developer’s representatives said local topography, lot depth and market conditions make townhomes and duplexes difficult and that the conceptual plan shows single‑family detached homes. Commissioners debated whether to require a numeric ratio of housing types; staff said the comprehensive plan does not set a specific ratio. Commission members ultimately accepted wording that asks for a range of housing types but allows the developer to justify single‑family-only layouts when appropriate.

Public comment and safety concerns: Neighbors who spoke during public comment, including Jason Close and Robin Kloves, asked the developer to address driveway access and a planned turnaround, citing safety for young drivers and horseback riders. Prime said the petitioner is willing to discuss entrance alignments and noted earlier reviews had recommended an east–west asphalt path and a tree buffer along the property edge to provide separation from the substation.

What happens next: The commission’s favorable recommendation, with conditions, will be forwarded to the Greenwood Common Council for final action. The commission recorded the recommendation by roll call vote.

Sources: Petitioner presentation before the Greenwood Advisory Plan Commission; planning staff report and in‑meeting roll call and discussion.