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Greenville County Council approves multiple zoning changes and fee‑in‑lieu amendment for EPC Power after job‑location questions
Summary
Council adopted several rezoning and text amendments, enlarged a sanitation district, and approved a fee‑in‑lieu amendment for EPC Power Corporation after members questioned whether the new 150‑job commitment represents local hires; the EPC measure passed on a 7‑3‑1 roll call.
Greenville County Council on Tuesday approved a package of zoning ordinances and amendments, enlarged the Greater Greenville Sanitation District and approved an amendment to a fee‑in‑lieu of tax agreement for EPC Power Corporation after members sought clarity about the location and nature of the jobs tied to the deal.
The council adopted multiple rezoning ordinances at third reading, including CZ2025‑063 (140 Chapels Road, rezoning from I‑1 to S‑1), CZ2025‑068 (3809 White Horse Road, rezoning from S‑1 to C‑1), CZ2025‑069 (1940 Old Grove Road / 393 Grove Reserve Parkway, rezoning from I‑2 to I‑1) and CD2025‑070 (21 Woodside Avenue, rezoning from R‑10 to R‑6). Councilors also approved a zoning text amendment for mobile food units (CZ2025‑066) and an amendment to Ordinance No. 4926 to change the definition of on‑premise signs. Councilor Bradley moved each measure at third reading; they were approved by voice vote.
Councilor Collins moved and the council approved an ordinance at third reading to amend the joint Anderson‑Greenville industrial and business park agreement so the park could include property owned by Advanced Metal Works LLC (Project Visionary).
On a separate second‑reading item, councilors considered a first amendment to an existing fee‑in‑lieu of tax agreement with EPC Power Corporation (agreement dated 11/15/2022). Unidentified Speaker 9 asked whether the 150‑job figure in the proposal represented jobs that would be local to Greenville County. An unnamed staffer referred the council to a one‑page summary in the packet, saying, “It does say a 150 jobs, with an average wage of $38.64 an hour.” Council discussion clarified that the extension adds another 150 jobs beyond the company’s prior commitments and that some members had concerns about the management team’s location and the localness of jobs.
After a roll call at the request of councilors, the clerk reported 7 in favor, 3 opposed and 1 not voting (Councilor Shaw), and the EPC fee‑in‑lieu amendment passed.
During public comment, Ed Paxton sharply criticized county planning and development staff, saying employees “don’t know how to find a way to say yes” and urging an ‘‘attitude change’’ in county operations. Asia Johnson urged increased funding for Greenville Transit, calling it a “community lifeline” and noting a recent grant that will help procure zero‑emission buses for airport service.
County administration updated the council on corrected tax bills being reprinted (affecting roughly 25% of the originally mailed bills, with changes limited to due dates) and on the selection of a consultant for a county‑directed fire service study; the fire chief requested that 911 dispatch be included in that study. The administrator said the final contract will come to the chair for signature.
The council had no committee reports, took a few member remarks and adjourned.
