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Council receives first reading of rezoning for Pleasant Drive parcels
Summary
The Greer City Council received first reading of Ordinance No. 6 to rezone three parcels on Pleasant Drive from Suburban Neighborhood to Traditional Neighborhood. Staff recommended the rezoning as a transitional district and the motion to receive the first reading passed 4–2.
The Greer City Council received the first reading of Ordinance No. 6, a rezoning request for three parcels at Pleasant Drive and South Buncombe Road, following a staff recommendation that the Traditional Neighborhood district would serve as a transition between nearby industrial uses and lower-density residential areas.
Ms. Cottey, planning staff, told the council the three parcels total just over 25 acres and that staff found Traditional Neighborhood to be an appropriate transitional zoning given surrounding warehouse and suburban neighborhood uses. "Staff does feel that traditional neighborhood is a good transition between the more intense use of industrial and then the suburban neighborhood," she said.
Why it matters: The rezoning changes the set of uses and allowable densities that could occur on the site. Under Traditional Neighborhood rules the maximum theoretical density is higher (up to 10 units per acre, staff noted), which provides more flexibility for future developers and could change the scale of future housing on the site.
Council members questioned how the UDO defines open space and how existing site features such as the pond would be treated. Cottey said certain ponds can count toward required open space if activated (for example, if a trail is added) but that not all water features would qualify. The applicant’s representative, Michael Roth of TMC Development, said his team is studying ways to incorporate and preserve the existing pond as active open space rather than converting it into a conventional detention feature. "We do not want to add an upgrade, ugly detention pond," Roth said, adding they hope to treat the pond for stormwater while maintaining it as community open space.
Councilmember questions also addressed lot sizes (Roth estimated the smallest lots at roughly 55 by 125 feet, or about 7,000 square feet) and the differences between zoning and any single developer’s proposed site plan. Cottey emphasized that staff reviews zoning appropriateness independent of a specific site layout: "We're considering all of the things that could go there," she said.
After discussion, the council voted by show of hands and a roll-call-style confirmation. The vote to receive the first reading carried 4–2: Councilmembers Arrowwood, Booker, Bettis and Lamb voted yes; Councilmember Lander and Mayor Danner voted no.
Next steps: The measure was received for first reading; when the ordinance returns to the council for subsequent readings or final action, any additional materials or modifications will be presented at that time.
